Bot (above left) - this is the ordination hall for new monks and is officially called ubosot. The building faces east and usually houses the main Buddha image. The bot above is in Wat Chai Mongkon. The hornlike finial on the roof ridge is called the chofa, representing the head of the garuda. Sima (above right) - these are sacred boundary stones which are used to mark the consecrated ground around a bot. You can see one in the picture of the bot at Wat Pichai Songkram.

Wihan or vihan (above left and right) - This building is usually very similar in style to the bot though with one important exception: it doesn't have any of the sacred sima stones and is therefore not used for ordinations. I have included the two photographs above even though they are not typical wihans. On the left, at Wat Ratbamrung, the wihan has two very large chedi on top. On the right, at Wat Prodkatechethram, the wihan has no chofa on the roof ridges which is so typical of Thai temples.

Chedi (above left and right) - this is a solid, bell-shaped structure usually containg a relic of the Buddha or an important person. Phra Samut Chedi, above left, contains relics of the Buddha. Smaller versions of a chedi at Wat Ratbamrung, above right, contains the ashes of local people.

Mondop (above left and right) - this is a square based structure usually topped with a spire. The building often contains an object of worship or some sacred texts. The mondop at Wat Prodkatechethram, above left, is larger than most, and contains a mother-of-pearl inlaid replica of Buddha's footprint. Mondop at Wat Phichai Songkram (above right).

Sala kanparien (above left) - usually a small meeting hall, though the above sala kanparien at Wat Asokaram is rather grander than most. Crematorium (above right). Ho rakang (above right) - to the far left of this pictures is the bell tower at Wat Song Tham Worawihan which is used to summon the monks to prayer.

Kuti (above left) - these are the sleeping quarters for the monks. Bodhi tree (above right) - A bo tree is often found in the wat grounds as it was under such a tree that Lord Siddartha found enlightenment and became the Buddha.