Image number: 07THI-127

A yak guards a gilded chedi (or stupa). In Thailand, a yak is a giant demon (or ogre, colossus, monster, titan) from the Ramakian (the Thai version of the Hindu Ramayana epic mythology), seen here with big upward fangs, guarding the temple grounds. (In India, a yaksha male can sometimes be a fearsome warrior; a yakshi/yashini female is usually a benevolent nature spirit.) The Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaew) is a shining complex of buildings within the grounds of the Grand Palace in Bangkok, Thailand. The Grand Palace (or Phra Borom Maha Ratcha Wang, in Thai) was built on the east bank of the Chao Phraya River starting in 1782, during the reign of Rama I. It served as the official residence of the king of Thailand from the 18th century to the mid-20th century.