Phra Maha Chedi Si Ratchakan

This is one of the four pagodas that make up Phra Maha Chedi Si Rajakarn. At 42m tall each, they seem to almost reach the heavens at times. Elaborately decorated and colorful, they are yet another splash of color in an already opulent temple.

The reference to these structures as pagodas is something that confuses me. Chedi is another name for stupa, which is a structure that would contain Buddhist relics, or in this case occasionally that of Thai royalty. As the stupa is filled in, you can't enter it, whereas you can enter some pagodas. Why this is referred to as both a Chedi and a Pagoda just boggles my mind, but then again, I'm not Buddhist scholar.

One of the many beautiful structures at Wat Pho.