The bat caves reeked of bat. In the murk of the grottoes, in a cave complex west of Bangkok, Thais in headlamps and with flashlights went about their business. Pilgrims to the temple that owns the complex prayed to Buddha figurines in one of the caves, the statues’ carved expressions betraying no reaction to the plip-plop-ploop of bat droppings falling on their shoulders.

A popular hangout for bats, tourists and now Covid sleuths

Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn visited Buddhist temples and greeted his subjects for the first time since his crowning in a royal procession around the old quarter of Bangkok on Sunday, as part of intricate coronation ceremonies held over three days.

Newly crowned Thai king carried through Bangkok in royal procession

Bellanwila Wimalarathana, 77, was violently pushed to the ground by the tusker, but the mahout managed to prevent the monk from being gored, police said

Sri Lanka elephant kills top Buddhist monk

At least 185 centuries-old pagodas were damaged in ancient capital Bagan, the centrepiece of Myanmar's fast-growing tourism industry

Myanmar assesses damage after 6.8 magnitude earthquake kills 3, sends troops to rebuild ancient pagodas