We are Vladislav Rakhvalskii and Nadezhda Rakhvalskaia.
We didn't dream of becoming philanthropists. We simply made a decision: our life will be connected to Thailand.
And when a country becomes home, one question cannot be avoided — what can we give back?
What is Thai Temple Archive
Thai Temple Archive is a complete photographic chronicle of Thailand's Buddhist temples. We travel across the country and photograph every temple we can reach — not quickly, not carelessly, but with patience and love for every detail.
• Architecture & sacred spaces
• Ornamental details & carvings
• Rituals & ceremonies
• Daily temple life
• Murals & door guardians
• Light, atmosphere & morning mist
After each expedition, we create a printed photo album and present it to the temple as a gift — a quiet gesture of respect. Every photograph is then uploaded to our website, free of charge, for everyone, forever.
Why we do this
Preservation
Cultural heritage is fragile. Temples decay, murals fade, stupas crumble. We believe no temple — however small or remote — deserves to disappear without a trace. We are creating a visual record for future generations.
Gratitude
Thailand accepted us. Not officially — we are still foreigners. But the people, the culture, the land embraced us. This project is our way of saying thank you — not once, but every day we pick up a camera.
Access
Not everyone can travel to Thailand. Not everyone sees what exists today. We want a child in rural Africa to see Thai temple art. We want a Thai grandmother to revisit the temple of her youth.
The archive is for everyone — no paywalls, no registration, no fine print.
Our mission
• Document thousands of Buddhist temples across Thailand, with respect, patience, and love.
• Preserve the visual heritage of Thai sacred architecture and ritual life for future generations.
• Gift each temple a beautiful album as a sign of respect and gratitude.
• Share every photograph freely — open to all, online, forever.
• Offer this archive as a gift to the Thai people, the Thai government, and the Sangha.
This is not a business. Not a startup. Not a marketing campaign. We fund this project from our own savings, in our own time.
No advertisements, no fundraising, no noise — just quiet, dedicated work. Beautiful. Permanent. Free.