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For almost 150 years, the famed Phu Khao Thong, or the Golden Mountain at Wat Sa Ket Ratchaworamahavihan, has been a landmark in the historical part of Bangkok.


The Golden Mount shines again after its restoration.
The large golden chedi is 79 metres high. Resplendent in gold, it is an architectural landmark in the historical area.

The construction of this chedi, one of Bangkok's most photographed icons, began during the reign of King Rama III and was completed during the reign of King Rama V of the Rattanakosin era.

Construction of the gigantic chedi took about 50 years, said Phra Thamsitthinayok, who is an assistant abbot of Wat Sa Ket.

When the large chedi was completed, Lord Buddha relics which came from the city of Kabilpat in India were installed at the top of the chedi.

The chedi has now been standing at Wat Sa Ket for more than 145 years. It has gone through five renovations. The last renovation involved a year-old repainting of the chedi from March 2008 to March 2009. The paint renovation has brought back the chedi's bright golden colour.

''I feel proud that Thais still recognise the value of this architectural heritage. Without doubt, it is a national showcase for foreign visitors,'' said Thitiyaphorn Traimongkhoncharoen, a 24-year-old lawyer.

Jesda Thoduang, a student who visited the Golden Mount with friends, said he heard about the renovation of the Golden Mount on the internet and decided to see the place for himself.

He was happy with the Golden Mount's fresher look, said Mr Jesda.


Wat Sa Ket Ratchaworamahavihan is viewed from another angle.
Wiphawee Sathitphanwecha, a young business woman, hailed the renovation, saying it was a tremendous effort to conserve the national treasure and a necessary fight against nature's wear and tear.

The Golden Mount is also a place where important traditional Buddhist activities are held. Maintaining the chedi also helps preserve the religious events which bind people together, she said.

Jatuphat Tangkaravakoon, who is the managing director of TOA Paint which co-sponsored the renovation, said the work was a collaboration between his company and the Fine Arts Department, Wat Sa Ket and people in the neighbourhood of the temple.

Under the project which restored the chedi, TOA Paint works with its partners and paint experts on the renovation of important historical sites in Bangkok, said Mr Jatuphat.

The Golden Mount is the second historical site that has been renovated under the project.


Bells line the base of thetemple leadingup to the golden chedi.
Assoc Prof Piyanan Prasarnratchakit, an adviser to the paint design team on the project, said the team studied details of the Golden Mount before designing paint colours for the chedi.

The team established four priorities for its work.

First, the colours and lighting of the chedi must inspire people's faith in the sacredness of the chedi and the Lord Buddha's relics at the top of the chedi.

Second, the external paints must be durable.

Third, the paint should blend well with the overall atmosphere of the neighbourhood around the temple.

The fourth factor is the beauty of the chedi itself.

The restoration team discovered the chedi had cracked in areas covered by grime and mildew which took away the surface sheen.