Wat Chedi Luang is without a doubt the most popular Buddhist temple for visitors to Chiang Mai. Its massive crumbling stupa is a major draw, its popular Monk Chat program is almost as responsible for the huge number of touri who decide it is the one wat in the city they have to see. Less well-known, and surely to put a dampener on the number of visitors the temple receives – at least those considered second class citizens – is the ban on women in the wat’s ubosot. A diplomatically worded sign announces this prohibition, making the ban clear without resorting to stating the reason is because women are unclean. (Not that the tiny bot is generally open to male touri either, but let’s just keep that little fact to ourselves, huh?)

Across town at the Silver Wat, the sign prohibiting fish is a bit more basic and to the point. And, obviously makes a good photo op – Chris, AKA Pretty Boy, couldn’t resist (that’s Noom doing his Samson pose in the background). I couldn’t find the accompanying shot showing what the dykes we were travelling with thought of the ban, but then you’ve seen that gesture many times before I’m sure.

The prohibition at the Silver Wat is more of a temporary measure, and one that is generally followed at all wats. That Ubosot is still under construction and until it is finished and properly consecrated, thereby protecting its sanctity from the damage female presence would otherwise cause, women are taboo. Obviously, if you are visiting Chiang Mai with some females in tow, you need to put both of these wats on your agenda. Just to remind them of their true worth in the world. And keep your camera ready for the reaction shot.

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