Wat Arun Beyond Reality Step into a Virtual Journey Like Never Before

BANGKOK, March 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- In a bid to promote cultural tourism, a team led by researchers from Chulalongkorn University has incorporated cutting-edge Virtual Reality (VR) technology to bring Wat Arun to life. Through the "Temple of Dawn VR Game" project, visitors can explore exclusive, restricted areas of the temple and appreciate the historical, cultural, and architectural beauty of one of Thailand's most prominent landmarks.

Wat Arun VR Game: Revealing Unseen Experiences 

Among Thailand's iconic landmarks, Wat Arun, also known as the Temple of Dawn, holds immense cultural and historical significance. The temple's mesmerizing corn-shaped stupa rises dramatically from the bank of Chao Phraya River, captivating all who visit.   

"Wat Arun is one of the major landmarks I usually bring foreign friends and international guests to visit. Many were impressed when I shared the temple's historical and cultural details. This made me realize that without a guide, many tourists would miss enticing information about the temple's history and architecture," shared Dr. Ratchaneekorn Ratchatakorntrakoon, researcher at the Institute of Thai Studies, Chulalongkorn University. 

As the mastermind behind the project, Dr. Ratchaneekorn hopes the VR game will enrich visitors' experiences while promoting learning and cultural tourism. 

A New Perspective Through Virtual Reality 

Building on her previous experience in creating VR applications at Chulalongkorn University's Memorial Hall, Dr. Ratchaneekorn recognized VR technology's potential to revolutionize storytelling.  

"This project aims to provide an immersive storytelling experience, bringing the temple's stories and heritage to life," she explained. 

According to the project's tagline, "Reveal Unseen Experiences", the Temple of Dawn VR Game allows tourists exclusive access to areas typically off-limits. These include: 

• The top of the central corn-shaped stupa  
• The interiors of the directional pavilions housing Buddha images 
• A bird's-eye view of Wat Arun, offering new perspectives on its intricate architecture 

The project employs cutting-edge 3D scanning technology to recreate a virtual space of Wat Arun, enabling users to:  

• Explore restricted areas 
• Learn about the stupa's architecture 
• Discover stories of Buddha's life depicted within the temple 

Overcoming Challenges: Technology Meets Tradition 

Dr. Ratchaneekorn identified two key challenges in developing the Temple of Dawn VR Game:     

1. Technical Limitations: Large 3D files slowed development process. The engineering team had to compress files and adjust textures for compatibility. 
2. Cultural Understanding: Tourists unfamiliar with Thai cultural norms sometimes behaved inappropriately at the temple.  

Despite these challenges, the project was successfully completed and had been introduced to tourists for trial. "Tourists gave positive feedback during the testing phase, appreciating the opportunity to engage with Wat Arun in previously unavailable ways," Dr. Ratchaneekorn noted.  

How to Play: The Temple of Dawn VR Game  

Designed as a multi-player game, The Temple of Dawn VR experience mirrors real-life tourist dynamics, as visitors often come in pairs or groups.  Solo visitors can team up with on-site project coordinators.

The Temple of Dawn VR game includes four sub-games: 

1. The Old Sermon Hall (Vihan-Noi)  
2. The Old Ordination Hall (Ubosot-Noi) 
3. The Directional Pavilions 
4. The Central Prang 

Each sub-game includes an introduction, game rules, missions to accomplish, knowledge gained, and knowledge summaries.   

Each game session lasts approximately 5-7 minutes. Players can choose one or multiple sub-games. After completing the VR experience, visitors return the document.

Educational Opportunities and Cultural Impact 

Dr. Ratchaneekorn concluded that the Temple of Dawn VR Game provides significant educational and cultural benefits:   

• For Tourists: Enhances their understanding of Thai culture and encourages respectful behavior in temples. 
• For Tour Guides: Equips guides with deeper insights to enrich visitor experiences. 
• For Students: Supports academic research and offers practical experience in VR development. 
• For Society: Serves as an educational tool to explore the biography of the Lord Buddha. 

Looking Ahead: A Sustainable Cultural Asset

The final version of the VR application will be soon handed over to Wat Arun. Plans are underway to train temple staff on system operation. Although set to be available for visitors this November, access to the VR game may initially be limited due to the high cost of VR headsets and specialized equipment.  

"Our long-term goal is to make this innovative tool a sustainable asset that preserves cultural heritage while engaging a global audience," said Dr. Rachaneekorn. 

For more information about the Temple of Dawn VR game, contact: Dr. Ratchaneekorn Ratchatakorntrakoon at [email protected] or the Institute of Thai Studies, Chulalongkorn University at 02-218-7494. 

Read the full article at https://www.chula.ac.th/en/highlight/218322/

About Chulalongkorn University

Chulalongkorn University has made the world's top 50 university list for employment outcomes, which reflects both the high employment rate and work ability of Chula graduates. The university is also listed as the best in Thailand for the 15th Consecutive Year (since 2009), according to the newly released QS World University Rankings 2024, putting Chula at 211th in the world, up from 244th last year.

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SOURCE Chulalongkorn University