Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception

Located in Chanthaburi in eastern Thailand, a city famous for its gem trade, the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception is one of the biggest Catholic churches in the country. It was constructed by the French on the site of earlier and more humble chapels. The Gothic-style cathedral, with its soaring twin spires, slate-coloured façade, and stained-glass windows, would perhaps look more at home in medieval Europe than in a coastal Thai province. The insides are also impressive and a large statue of the Virgin Mary stands in front of the beautiful building, bedecked with thousands of donated gemstones to add more of a local connection to the icon.