This is one of two six metre (20 ft) yakshas that stands guard at the entrance to the most sacred temple in the kingdom. No other temple (wat) in Thailand is so ornate or so embellished with murals, statues and glittering gold.
The wat is next to the Grand Palace — the official residence of the king — on common grounds consecrated in 1782. Each successive monarch made additions so different styles of architecture are featured, most in the Bangkok or Ratanakosin style.
The wat’s 0.75 metre (30 inch) Emerald Buddha carved from a single piece. of jade is one of the most venerated images of the Lord Buddha.
Its history is unknown, but it was in Chiang Rai in 1464.