The Golden Buddha

Bangkok

Went for a walk in Chinatown. Lots of gold shops, markets, shark fin restaurants (10,000 Baht/$CAD380 for a large portion). On the way from the boat pier, went through a market containing nothing but greasy old car parts. You could probably enter in one end and come out the other with a nice sedan.

Came across Wat Tramit, with the legendary Golden Buddha.

Bodhisattva – would you take me by the hand?

This was covered in plaster for centuries. Dropped from a crane during a move, the plaster cracked off to reveal a solid gold Buddha. Huh. Who knew?

At present gold prices, it’s worth over $240,000,000.  I’m already planning my helicopter-through-the-roof heist scenario.