the original Phra Mondop
was, built by King Rama 1, and surrounded by water (as was
customary at the time) to prevent damage, to the “Canonical
Library” which was housed there, from fire and termites.
Unfortunately the original building was destroyed by a fire,
started by fireworks on the day of its inauguration. Luckily
the documents and the mother-of-pearl cabinet survived and
they now reside in the new building and are “guarded” by four
pairs of golden “demons”, one pair at each entrance, which
are considered to be; the most perfectly proportioned of all
existing classical sculptures of Rattanakosin craftsmanship.

C U on the email, keith 