Buranathai Buddha Casting Foundry Building

Across the road from the Sergeant-Major Thawee Folk Museum, and under the same management, the Buranathai foundry is where a huge range of bronze Buddha images is cast using the lost-wax method. It is just about the only place in Thailand where you can watch this laborious, time-consuming process taking place.

Looking like a cross between a junkyard and an antique dealer’s shop, the foundry throws up some curious sights, from sections of Buddhas waiting to be rejoined to workers preparing castings for new images. During a visit you should be able to see part of the manufacturing under way, and a small shop on the premises sells finished Buddha images. Visitors may walk around the grounds while work is in progress, but take care to avoid accidents, such as overturning a mould of red-hot bronze.