Hell on Earth – by Sarah

As if from another time, I peddle my bicycle along narrow dirt paths past the ruins of Sukhothai. With missing signage and my inherent sense of misdirection, I became lost and stopped at a modern temple. Fitting the model of standard temple fair from outside, I strolled into the garden; I felt as if I was entering hell.

The walls were plagued with caricatures of women giving birth to maggots, men gasping for divine intervention as their entrails spilled from within, while others feverishly prayed as they melted into the ground.

As off putting as these images were, I couldn’t stop taking photos; in a setting where pristine images of balance are usually presented, I was confronted with indelible images of disembowelment and horror.

Off the beaten tourist track, the only traces of others having visited the temple were of dried flowers and puddles of candle wax. Not covered in a Lonely Planet Guides, you’ll have to ask the locals where to find the creepy hidden temple.

The sixteen-year-old Goth kid inside of me became enamored with this type of temple; as if I was discovering each one myself as I traveled across Thailand. I began researching their locations and the history behind them.

Wat Rong Khun, also known as the “White Temple”, began construction in 1997 and was designed by Chalermchai Kositpipat. Large fangs greet you at the bridge, and a long walkway connects you to the temple.

Sculptures of hands holding skulls reach up through the cement mote below as if to warn you. Most temples in are lavish in color, whereas this one stands in stark contrast being completely white. Inside there are large murals depicting hellacious Hollywood scenes from the Predator, the Matrix, Batman and Spiderman.

Image via Wikipedia

Another literal hell on earth is Wat Phai Rong Wua. This large complex depicts graphic scenes of torture and regularly serves as a destination for Thai families and naughty children.

Image via Wikipedia

Weather you choose to take your kids to show them what happens if they misbehave, or if you brave it alone, you are promised an experience that will leave you with eerie dreams