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Revered Monks: Gigantic Statues Leave a Lasting Impression

Nida Tunsuttiwong

I recently got the chance to visit two remarkable temples, both of which feature gigantic statues that never fail to wow the casual visitor.

While the first is located in Prachuap Khiri Khan, the coastal province that includes the popular resort town of Hua Hin within its boundaries, the other is located in Pathum Thani, a province bordering Bangkok, which is directly north of the capital.

Interestingly, a single individual is responsible for the construction of both statues – Watcharapong Radomsittipat, an acclaimed expert on Buddhist amulets, who is also known by the name U Krung Siam.

Watcharapong has also been involved in the construction of several other large-scale statues, including one at the temple of Wat Nang Phraya, located in the southern province of Nakhon Sri Thammarat, at Wat Ubonwanaram in the central province of Nonthaburi, and at the Jee Tek Lim Chinese temple in Nakhon Nayok province.

Legendary Luang Phor Tuad

Wat Huay Mongkol is just a 40-minute drive from downtown Hua Hin. The temple features an 11.5-meter-tall statue of Luang Phor Tuad, which sits atop a three-story

plinth. While the project was initiated to celebrate His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej's 72nd birthday anniversary in 1999, work did not actually get underway until 2004.

Luang Phor Tuad

Luang Phor Tuad is a highly revered monk, who is said to have lived about 500 years ago. According to popular legend, Luang Phor Tuad was at the center of many miraculous happenings during his lifetime.

The most famous incident, through which he received his full official title – Luang Phor Tuad Yeb Nam Talay Juet (or Luang Phor Tuad 'who walks on the ocean and purifies it' [removing its salt content]) – concerned a journey he is said to have made by ship from the southern province of Nakhon Sri Thammarat to the central province of Ayutthaya.

Legend has it that during the journey there was a terrible storm, which forced the ship to lie at anchor for a week. Some of those on board felt Luang Phor Tuad (then known as Chao Sameeram) might be a source of the ship's misfortune, so he was sent away to a nearby island on a small boat.

Purification process

During the short journey to the island, Chao Sameeram dipped his feet into the sea and suddenly a bright light was said to have emerged just below the ocean's surface. A traveling companion put his hand into the water and scooped some out. To his astonishment, the water was entirely drinkable and free of salt, so legend has it. On discovering this miraculous event, those accompanying him invited him to return with them to their ship.

The temple of Wat Huay Mongkol is generally very crowded during the country's cool season, since there is also a large sunflower field nearby, which offers some breathtaking views.

Making a mark

The temple of Wat Bot in Pathum Thani province is home to a massive, 28-m-tall statue of Somdej Phra Phutthajarn (also known as ‘Toh Promarungsri'), who has been among the most highly revered monks during the Rattanakosin era (1782-present).

Born in 1788, Somdej Phra Phutthajarn was best known for his distinctive manner, his ability to perform ancient traditions and rites, as well as for producing amulets and other sacred objects. One of the amulets he produced – known as Phra Somdej – is among the country top five amulets in terms of estimated value.

Somdej Phra Phutthajarn

Construction of this statue began in 2006 and was completed by 2008. Among the materials used to build the statue were sacred forms of powder, collected from a large number of Buddhist amulets, gold plates collected from a large number of well respected temples, as well as some soil from Bangkok and each of the country's 75 other provinces.

As I make my way around the temple, I come across a booth selling some striking photos of the giant figure. The photographs were shot over a 16-month period by Pirawat Dechasiri, who managed to capture the figure from various angles and during various weather conditions. The image I particularly liked features a shot of the statue during a storm, with a bolt of lightning spreading across a purple-colored sky.

Transport connections:

Wat Huay Mongkol

Car: From Bangkok, take Highway 35 (Thonburi-Pak Tho Road) and pas through the provinces of Samut Sakhon and Samut Songkhram. Beyond Amphawa, you will see signs for Highway 4, which is the road you need to take in order to head south for Hua Hin.

Once you're in Hua Hin, take the highway (Road 3218), which will lead you towards the Palau waterfall. Once you see Highway 4010, bear left and drive for another four kilometers. Continue straight ahead at the next intersection and you will soon see the temple on your right.

Wat Bot

Car: From Bangkok, take the Udon Rattaya expressway and head for Ayutthaya. As you get near the end of this road, you should turn left and follow Highway 9 (Kanchanapisek Road). Once you cross the Chao Phraya River, you'll soon see the entrance to the temple on your left-hand side.

Since there are two temples with the same name in Pathum Thani province, I would like to recommend that you follow these directions closely.