Samut Songkhram - Wat Pradoo - CK Maha Surasak

Luang Phor Maha Surasak, Wat Pradoo is a royal monk hugely respected in Thailand now. He has learnt wicha from many distinguished monks and is famous for his takruts like Maharugnap, Pokasap and Takrut Loop Om.

His khun kalay and biagae is also immensely popular after given the stamp of approval by his masters.  It is a well known fact that Luang Phor Maha Surasak mastered the art of consecrating efficacious biagae from Luang Phor Cher (Jurah) Wat KlangBang Kaew and that Luang Phor Cher endorsed it being as good as his own.



Recommendation ***** (must see !)

Pictures showing how LP Maha Surasak hand make the statues

LP Maha Surasak doing his morning prayers

Another monk from other temple seeking LP Maha Surasak for blessing
on the new sign for the new temple

LP Maha Surasak special blessing... 

Very humble, kind and soft spoken LP Maha Surasak :)

Another building show casing LP Maha Surasak's work of art

Some very old amulets and molds the museum is keeping

Shop behind amulet counter with all kinds of Lersi's "helmet"

Another new building in the construction progress

Very unique statue inside the ubosot

Ubosot undergoing new "facelift"

Museum

Another view of the new building

Amulet counter - nothing much left, LP Maha Surasak's items are hot!

Another full view of the amulet shop

December 2016

Gift fm CK 

April 2017

May 2017

Sep 2018

Dec 2018 - First Royal Khatin

Jan 2019

Mar 2019

May 2019

August 2019

October 2019

Samut Songkhram - Wat Phummarin Kudi Thong

The Kudi Thong, a "golden- teak monk’s cell", has an unusual history where the father of Khun Nak (Queen Ammarinthramat) had her fortune examined by the abbot of Wat Bang Li. The abbot foretold that the daughter would become a queen. The millionaire father, therefore, promised to build a Kudi Thong for the temple if the abbot’s words proved true.



Recommendation ***

Samut Songkhram - Wat Phayayat - LP Jai

No further information on this temple.




Recommendation ***

Samut Songkhram - Wat Bang Kung

A sight which is also in the list of the "official" unseen Thailand sight is the temple Wat Bang Kung in Amphawa district, Samut Songkhram. The main attraction of the temple is the chapel overgrown by a Banyan tree. Except at the behind, the roots almost completely cover the building so it is hardly recognizable as such. Thus the chapel is normally know as Bot Prok Pho, ordination hall covered by Bodhi tree, even though the actual name of it is Bot Luangpho Dam.

Inside the chapel is a large Buddha statue, and of course every visitor is praying and placing incense sticks, rubbing gold leaves and so on.

However this chapel isn't the only important place of the compound. In fact, this temple is an historical significant place, as it was the camp of King Taksin during an attack by the Burmese army in 1768. However after the successful campaign the site was abandoned for almost 200 years, until in 1967 it was redeveloped by the Ministry of Education.


Address:  Samut Songkhram 4013 Rural Rd, Bang Khonthi, Samut Songkhram, Thailand



Recommendation *****

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!