A large number of offerings were laid out on a long, narrow table in the precincts of a Chinese temple

Massive array of offerings in Wat Mangkon Kamalawat — Shot at Mangkon Kamalawat Temple, a Buddhist temple in Bangkok, Thailand

Tents were set up in the precincts of Wat Mangkon Kamalawat, a Buddhist temple in Bangkok's Chinatown, and the tables underneath were filled with offerings.

While I was looking at the large number of offerings, worshippers came one after another and placed their offerings on the table. The number of offerings was increasing at an ongoing pace. Even as I was taking pictures, two female worshippers came in, added some offerings to the table, and left.

The temple, built in 1871, was named Wat Mangkon Kamalawat by King Rama V, four generations before Rama IX, the king for whom the memorial ceremony was being held.

In Thailand, successive kings have built Buddhist temples and patronized them. In fact, Wat Phra Kaew was built in the Royal Palace as a guardian temple for the royal family. Therefore, even if this temple was Chinese, it would have been protected in the same way. The relationship between Buddhist temples and state power is deeper than you might think.

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