Samut Songkhram - Wat Petch Samut - LP Ban Laem

The former name is “Wat Sri Champa”. It is the most important temple of the province. According to history, in B.E. 2307 (1764) the Burmese invaded Mueang Phetburi but Ayutthaya’s troops protected the city. Ban Laem people in Phetburi migrated to escape from the Burmese and settled down at Amphoe Mae Klong, further up from Wat Sri Champa, and called this village “Ban Laem”, the same name as their former village in Mueang Phetburi.

The people all pitched in to renovate Wat Sri Champa and gave it the new name of “Wat Ban Laem”. Most of the Ban Laem people were fishermen. One day, they went to catch fish as usual using a net in the Mae Klong Gulf, two Buddha images were caught in the net: one was a seated image, another was a standing image.

The sitting image of the Buddha was enshrined at Wat Khao Ta Krau, Phetburi province. For the second standing image of the Buddha, the image was 1.67 metres high and holding an alms-bowl, unfortunately, the bowl could not be recovered. This Buddha image was enshrined at Wat Ban Laem and was called “Luang Pho Ban Laem”. This is a very sacred Buddha and many miracles have been associated with this Buddha image amking the image highly revered by all.

Wat Ban Laem which once was a small and disregarded temple, prospered and was enlarged mainly from the donations made by the people out of their faith and from their merit making and worshiping Luang Pho Ban Laem.

Later, this temple was promoted to the status of royal temple of the class “Worawihan” and was granted the name of “Wat Phet Samut Worawihan” by the King. To replace the lost alms-bowl of Luang Pho Ban Laem, Prince Phanuphanwongworadej presented a blue glass-bowl which can still be seen today.



Recommendation *****

Famous Maekong Train Station - It was a great experience watching the stall
owners moved out and back before and after the train passes.

Gecko spotted!

Samut Songkhram - Wat Chula Mani - LP Idd

Wat Chula Mani sits on the bank of the Amphawa canal and is only 2 km. way from Amphawa District. Formerly named “Wat Maeya Thip”, the temple was built in the reign of King Prasat Thong of Ayutthaya.

According to history, Thao Kaeophaluek (Noi), Mistress of the Bang Chang Market, built this temple. Not far from the back the temple was initially the residence of Than Thong and Than San, who were parents of Khun Nak (Queen Ammarinthramat of King Rama I). Later, the residence was burnt down and the family moved to build a new house in the compound of Wat Amphawan Chetiyaram.

Originally the assembly hall of Wat Chula Mani was made of teak wood and hard wood. In 1968, Phra Khru Kowit Samutthakhun or Luang Pho Nueang Kowitho re-built the building to replace the ruined one. After the monk had passed away in 1987, Phra Khru Sophitwiriyaphon or Ittha Phatthangcharo who was his disciple continued his work and completed the re-building process.


Recommendation *****

August 2019

October 2019