San Sai Mun Temple at dusk (วัดสันทรายมูล)

This temple complex is an unusual one since it also doubles as a public school during the day, which of course means it is absurdly loud until all the kids go home. Therefore, I have avoided this place until now because I just happened to be biking past it an noticed that it was dead quiet. There's nothing quite like a group of perpetually screaming kiddos that can completely ruin the tranquility of a temple.

San Sai Mun is nicely maintained and located right next to a busy road, I wouldn't really say this one is worth the trip for anyone visiting the area, but if if you live here, it is a winner.

There are two main buildings which house a shrine with an important Buddha relic of sorts inside. Both buildings were shut when I arrived so I will just have to assume it is really nice inside as well. I am normally apprehensive to approach anything at a religious site, so mostly i just kept my distance and took some photos.

_{these dragon guardian things always impress me}

Around the back of one of the main halls was an area with some drums that I presume are ceremonial in nature and no, I did not touch them. They were an impressive size though.

Then there was this building which i am guessing houses something really important since you are not even allowed to get near it.

I have seen a hundred temples since I moved here and they always seem to impress me in a way even though for the most part they are all quite similar. They are always a nice respite from the noisy world outside and they are always super clean and have an aroma of burning incense around the clock.

Of course if you were going to visit this temple you need to go either on a weekend or past 4pm less the deafening sound of kids running and screaming every chance they get might spoil the ambiance. Personally I have flashbacks whenever I find myself in these situations because I was a school-teacher once and I absolutely hated that job.

None of the garden statues are made of any sort of precious stones or metal but I still admire the craftsmanship. Perhaps they are mass-produced in a factor - I have no idea. It doesn't change the fact that they are quite lovely and overall, especially since it is free, I can see no reason to not go here.