Happy memories as Wat Pho becomes famous

The assistant abbot said Clinton made the remark when the monk, the Secretary of State and President Barack Obama were seen laughing together. Obama and Clinton visited Wat Pho on Sunday afternoon, shortly after he arrived in Bangkok.
“Several people asked me what we were talking about when we were seen laughing. At that moment, Clinton asked how many people visited the temple a day. I said that about 7,000 to 8,000 people visited and foreigners were charged Bt100 each,” Phra Suthee Thammanuwat said.
“Clinton responded that the temple was making a lot of money and should be able to support Obama’s work in helping poor children.
“I replied that the US president and his entourage should instead support the temple because the visit prompted half of the temple to be closed and caused the temple to lose money.”
The assistant abbot said Obama and Clinton were very respectful, taking their shoes off before entering the chapels and other sacred areas.
The monk said Obama offered a large gift box to the temple, but it had yet to be unwrapped.
Obama has also presented three glasses in a box as a gift from the White House to the temple.
The president signed a guest book at the temple and was presented with a book about Wat Pho before leaving.
The monk said Obama’s visit made the temple even more famous because the world media was reporting his visit. He added that he the CNN and Associated Press |had also interviewed him about the visit.
He said he was proud of projecting a good image for Thai monks because he was able to speak to a global leader without needing an interpreter.
Many Thais and foreign tourists thronged to Wat Pho yesterday and several thousands were seen at the Reclining Buddha, which Obama visited on Sunday afternoon.
Tourist guide Jarunit Yurob said he believed Obama’s visit helped draw more foreign tourists to the temple.