Wat Thung Si Muang’s best-known feature is the ho trai, a small hall used to preserve Buddhist scriptures. The exceptionally elegant wooden structure rises from the middle of a lotus pond, which is beautiful but also serves the purpose of keeping termites and other insects at bay. A Burmese-style six-tiered gabled roof draws gradually upwards to Thai-style chofa finials. Floral woodcarvings adorn outer walls, with detailed lacquer work decorating interior cabinets.
While the scripture hall is one of the more attractive features in any of Ubon’s temples, we were drawn to the neighbouring ordination hall with finely lacquered doors and two-century old murals displaying soldiers heading off to war. The haunting space contains images of late meditation monks and the footprint replica placed in front of an old Lao-style Buddha image.