Wat Phayao was named in memory of the villagers who originally lived in the north and migrated to establish a new settlement in Sala Lai Thai Subdistrict, Sao Hai District, Saraburi Province. The villagers of Phayao believe that their ancestors migrated from the north, at the same time as the people of Chiang Saen who migrated in 1804 during the reign of King Rama I of the Rattanakosin Kingdom. The customs and traditions, as well as the accent and language spoken in the northern style (Yuan language), are evidence of this to this day.

The golden Buddha statue, enshrined in the Chaturamukha pavilion, was created during the late Ayutthaya period. It is composed of 70% pure gold.

Inside the Chaturamukha building, where the golden Buddha statue is enshrined.

The golden Buddha statue from the Ayutthaya period exhibits exquisite features. Its body is well-proportioned and majestic. The statue depicts the Buddha in a seated meditation posture (samadhi) with legs crossed and hands placed on the lap. The statue measures 110 centimeters in width and 170 centimeters in height. The face is round with a gentle smile, and the head is adorned with a flame-shaped finial. It is believed to have been created during the late Ayutthaya period.

The golden Buddha statue was originally enshrined in an abandoned temple in Uthai District, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province. The statue was covered with stucco, suggesting that it was likely created during the late Ayutthaya period. It is believed that the statue was originally located in a temple on the outskirts of the capital city. Fearing that the Burmese invaders who attacked Ayutthaya would destroy the statue, the villagers covered it with stucco to conceal its true nature as a gold statue. Around 1877, the villagers of Sala Ri Thai, Moo 3, Sao Hai District, began to build a monastery called "Uthit Samoson." They invited the golden Buddha statue from the abandoned temple in Uthai District, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province, to be enshrined at the monastery (later known as Wat Uthit Samoson).

Around 1935, villagers near Wat Uthit Samokhon faced water shortages due to drought and migrated to escape the natural disaster. This left Wat Uthit Samokhon abandoned. In 1941, the residents of Wat Phayao needed a new main Buddha statue for their temple, as the existing one was relatively small. They decided to invite the Buddha statue from Wat Uthit Samokhon. In 1950, following the advice of Phra Thep Wimon Moli (former abbot of Saraburi province), who noticed cracks in the plaster, the villagers of Phayao removed all the plaster covering the statue. They discovered that the entire statue was made of gold. Coincidentally, around the same time, Wat Traimit Witthayaram Worawihan in Bangkok also discovered a golden Buddha statue (Phra Phuttha Maha Suwanna Patimakorn). Professor Prida Virasawasdi, a former teacher at Wat Traimit School, invited officials from the Fine Arts Department to Wat Phayao. The examination and analysis revealed that the statue was 70% gold. The villagers then named the statue "Luang Pho Thongkham" (Golden Buddha). The statue is approximately 1 meter wide and 1.5 meters tall. It is currently enshrined in the Chaturamukha Vihara within Wat Phayao, Sao Hai district, Saraburi province. It serves as a center of faith for the people of Saraburi.

On July 4, 2009, His Holiness Somdet Phra Nyanasamvara Somdet Phra Sangkharat Sakol Maha Sanghaparinayaka bestowed the name "Phra Phuttha Ratchasuwannamongkol" upon the golden Buddha statue at Wat Phayao, Sao Hai District, Saraburi Province. At the same time, the temple cast a replica of the golden Buddha statue to allow devotees who come to pay homage and make merit to apply gold leaf to the replica.

To reach the temple, take Highway 3041 from Saraburi towards Ban Yang. Before reaching Sao Hai district, turn right onto Highway 3041 and cross the Pa Sak River bridge. Turn left at the next intersection and continue for approximately 100 meters. The temple is located about 9 kilometers from Saraburi city center. An alternative route is via the Pak Bang-Saraburi road, which is located behind the temple.

Contact number of Wat Phayao: 087 998 5166


#sala ree thai#sao hai this translation is concise, simple, and maintains the original meaning of the phrase. it also avoids using personal pronouns, colloquialisms, and focuses on the factual information.#saraburi#temple#thailand#historical study
Comments