A 150-year-old Buddhist temple that was submerged by a dam has become visible for the first time in half-a-century after a drought lowered the water level.<br /><br />The ancient ruins had been covered with water but residents noticed them starting to poke above the surface in Khon Kaen, southern Thailand, last month.<br /><br />Within a few weeks the water had receded so much that locals could walk on the stone building.<br /><br />Footage from Monday morning (June 8) shows residents posing for selfies after reaching the shrine from a new bamboo walkway at the Ubol Ratana dam.<br /><br />Village council chief Sutan Srithanawong said the Buddhist temple was built at least 150 years ago as part of a small community but it was submerged after the construction of the dam.<br /><br />He said: "There used to be a village of around 500 households here but people moved out when the dam started its construction.<br /><br />"However, the temple was not demolished because destroying a temple would be bad luck. So when the dam was finished it was left there, to be submerged under the water."<br /><br />Sutan said that farmers have suffered because of the drought but the re-emergence of the temple is a sign of hope.<br /><br />He said: "Everybody is excited about this temple because the last time it was seen was more than 50 years ago.<br /><br />"The area has been suffering very badly because of droughts. This year is the worst it has ever been. But the temple appearing is magical and it's like a new tourist attraction.''
