Georgetown, Penang - Wat Chayamangkalaram 1996
Wat Chayamangkalaram is a Thai temple in Pulau Tikus suburb of George Town, Penang, Malaysia. It is the oldest Malaysian Siamese temple in the state. The temple became a focal point for the annual Siamese Songkran and Loi Krathong festivals within the city suburb and for the city yearly Buddha Day procession. The site for the temple was cleared in 1795 after a piece of land was granted to both Burmese and Siamese community in George Town by Queen Victoria during the Straits Settlements era. In 1830, there were around 648 Burmese and Siamese out of the 40,000 population. Part of the land awarded to the Siamese was given as a diplomatic gesture to promote trading ties between the British Empire and Siam. It was presented by the then Governor of the Straits Settlements, William John Butterworth to two Siamese female trustees named Nankayo and Boonsoon as the community representative. Inscriptions also showed that the building of the temple had been largely due to the philanthropic efforts of local Chinese Buddhists. In 1845, the temple was founded on the given land by Phra Phorthan Kuad, a powerful monk. In 1948, the temple was officially named as "Wat Chayamangkalaram". Since its establishment, the temple has undergone several renovations. A reclining Buddha statue named Phra Chaiya Mongkol was constructed in the temple in 1958 & in 1962, the temple was visited by the King of Thailand, Bhumibol Adulyadej and Queen Sirikit as part of their state visit to Malaya.
Georgetown, Penang - Wat Chayamangkalaram 1996
Wat Chayamangkalaram is a Thai temple in Pulau Tikus suburb of George Town, Penang, Malaysia. It is the oldest Malaysian Siamese temple in the state. The temple became a focal point for the annual Siamese Songkran and Loi Krathong festivals within the city suburb and for the city yearly Buddha Day procession. The site for the temple was cleared in 1795 after a piece of land was granted to both Burmese and Siamese community in George Town by Queen Victoria during the Straits Settlements era. In 1830, there were around 648 Burmese and Siamese out of the 40,000 population. Part of the land awarded to the Siamese was given as a diplomatic gesture to promote trading ties between the British Empire and Siam. It was presented by the then Governor of the Straits Settlements, William John Butterworth to two Siamese female trustees named Nankayo and Boonsoon as the community representative. Inscriptions also showed that the building of the temple had been largely due to the philanthropic efforts of local Chinese Buddhists. In 1845, the temple was founded on the given land by Phra Phorthan Kuad, a powerful monk. In 1948, the temple was officially named as "Wat Chayamangkalaram". Since its establishment, the temple has undergone several renovations. A reclining Buddha statue named Phra Chaiya Mongkol was constructed in the temple in 1958 & in 1962, the temple was visited by the King of Thailand, Bhumibol Adulyadej and Queen Sirikit as part of their state visit to Malaya.