there are over 40,000 Buddhist temples,

but there's only one that looks quite like this.

Completed in 2004,

Wat Plai Laem is a collection of temples and statues

located on Koh Samui, Thailand's second largest island.

These are active temples in a tranquil place

where quiet reflection is encouraged

and appropriate attire is a must.

One of the most eye-catching figures

is the statue of the Buddha, which is 30 meters high

and painted in bright red, white, and gold.

The main statue at Wat Plai Laem

is the Buddhist goddess of compassion and mercy, Guan Yin.

Here, she's represented with 18 arms,

which shows her ability to help many people in need at once.

The temple is surrounded by a lake filled with hungry fish.

Visitors who make a donation to the temple

are given a bag of fish food.

People also buy fish and turtles at the local food market

and release them into the lake.

Buddhists consider it an act of spiritual merit,

and the fish and turtles do, too.