French President Emmanuel Macron, his delegation and members of the foreign media covering the APEC Summit visited Phra Chetuphon Temple, or “Wat Pho”, a Royal temple in Bangkok last night (Friday).

The special guests were treated to a 90-minute tour of the temple, guided by an assistant abbot, who took them to the interior of the temple to see the Phra Maha Chedi Si Rajakarn and the Reclining Buddha.

The Phra Maha Chedi Si Rajakarn are a group of four huge pagodas surrounded by white walls with Thai-Chinese style sheltered gates, decorated with colour-glazed tiles and Chinese rockery guardians. Each pagoda was built by one of the four kings of the Chakri Dynasty, King Rama I, King Rama II, King Rama III and King Rama IV.

President Macron also presented alms, in the form of Thai coins, before returning to his hotel.

On Thursday night, the president visited the Jim Thompson Art Centre, which he described in his Facebook page as a symbol of the relationship between France and Thailand. He also visited the Rajadamnern boxing stadium to watch Thai boxing matches.

The president posted a video clip of a Muay Thai fight involving French professional Muay Thai fighter Antoine Pinto, whom he said he admires.

Antoine Pinto said on Instagram that he and his younger brother, also a Muay Thai boxer, are very proud to have the president as one of their fans and that he has been following their Muay Thai fights.

The French Muay Thai boxer acted as guide for the president during his two hour visit to the stadium.

Source: Thai Public Broadcasting Service