The ancient library of Wat Thung Sri Muang
Built around 1829, Wat Thung Sri Muang is most noted for it's old library, or Ho Trai. The large wooden structure sits in the center of a rectangular pond filled with lotus flowers. This was common for libraries within temples. The scriptures were written on palm leaves, which are highly susceptible to insect damage. Placing the building over water helped to isolate it from the bugs.
The decoration around the door to the storage area
The library has a wrap-around gallery that surrounds the hall where the books were stored. Only a few scriptures are actually stored there today, for demonstration purposes. Most of the valuable manuscripts are now stored in an air conditioned building elsewhere in the temple.