Faith in Stainless
Stainless steel Buddhist temple is one-of-a-kind
By Dr. David Jenkinson
Nickel Magazine, July 2005 -- In the forested mountains near the
Myanmar-Thailand border sits a small but striking Buddhist temple.
According to Weerachai Iamchareonchai, former general manager of the Thai Stainless Steel Development
Association (TSSDA), it is the first of its kind to be built in the Southeast Asian country.
The builder was Uthai Siangjaem, who erected the temple in 1999 both as an act of faith and to mark the
seventy-second birthday of the King of Thailand. "I thought a small temple would be an appropriate way to
mark the auspicious event, and stainless steel was an ideal construction material because it could last a
thousand years," says Uthai, an industrialist in Thailand's Rajburi province, whose factory produces
stainless steel accessories for off-highway vehicles.
Construction of a stainless steel temple could cost five million baht (approximately US$123,240 at
presstime), said Uthai, whereas a temple made of more conventional materials would cost 30 to 100 million
baht (US$740,000 to US$2.5 million). Uthai donated seven tonnes of S30400 stainless steel himself, and the
temple was completed in late 1999. An inauguration ceremony was performed shortly afterwards.
The temple is a combination of traditional Buddhist architecture and Uthai's imagination. It is equipped
with a lightning rod, and the ceiling is insulated with fibre to reduce heat from the sun.
The site was previously used by monks as they travelled on foot to the Thung Yai Naresuan wildlife
sanctuary.
Dr. Jenkinson is Director, Australasia, Nickel Institute
PHOTOS: Thai Stainless Steel Development Association
<< Previous -- Contents page >>
|
