The last night of the year in gold

by Walter G. Allgöwer

On the banks of the Chao Phraya, Wat Arun rises like a luminous dream of stone and light. On the last night of the year, the Temple of the Dawn seems to live up to its name in a special way, even though darkness has long since fallen over Bangkok. Golden rays envelop the intricately decorated prangs, making every step, every ornament and every mosaic shine like a precious jewel.
Above the towers, the sky stretches out in deep shades of violet and purple, as if the evening itself had saved its most beautiful colours for this very moment. The lights are reflected on the calm surface of the river, transforming the water into a shimmering ribbon of gold and silver. Every wave carries a piece of this magic out into the night.
Whilst the city celebrates the transition into a new year, Wat Arun appears timeless and serene. Between festive splendour and spiritual dignity, the temple serves as a reminder that every new beginning arises from a single moment. Centuries of Buddhist tradition meet here with the fleeting magic of a New Year’s Eve.
Thus, the temple stands on the riverbank like a radiant guardian between the past and the future. Its light seems to illuminate not only the night, but also the hope that people carry with them into the days ahead. For a moment, the sky, the water and the architecture merge into a single, radiant promise of the New Year.