Phimai: The 'Roman-style bell tower' at Wat Ban Dong Yai in Phimai District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province, is considered the largest of its kind in the world, with a budget exceeding 10 million baht. The structure, resembling European architecture, was developed by the temple's abbot, committee, relatives, and devotees.
According to Thai News Agency, this impressive three-story Roman building features a roof with a Buddha image in a meditative posture at its center. It is flanked by statues of Indra and Brahma in prayer on the bell tower. A large drum tower is situated beneath the base. The bell tower stands on eight pillars shaped like angels, each positioned on an inverted lotus flower. A statue of Nang Suchada is also present, depicted paying respect to a Buddha image.
A notable feature of the complex is a large water tank with a capacity of over 100,000 liters, serving as a water supply point for the community. The first and second floors of the building are designated for meditation and prayers. Inside, murals illustrate the life of the Buddha, while the exterior is adorned with sculptures of angels, gods, and the Goddess of Rice. The surrounding fence features hundreds of green giants wielding batons, all vividly colored.
The construction, initiated by Phra Athikan Chamras Atthakamo, the abbot of Wat Ban Dong Yai, began in 2010. The building measures 23 meters in length and 8 meters in width. Local craftsmen and plasterers were instrumental in the development, contributing to the project's completion with a budget exceeding 10 million baht.
