Guardians of the Temple of the Emerald Buddha in Bangkok

Vibrant guardian statues stand guard at the revered Wat Phra Kaew temple complex known as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha near the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok's Old Town district. Adorned in intricate Thai traditional attire embellished with gold leaf accents against a backdrop of ornate stupas under a clear blue sky, these cultural icons embody both the spiritual significance and architectural splendor that define this UNESCO World Heritage Site.