Wat Thung Saliem is located in Thung Saliem District, Sukhothai Province, and is renowned for its historical and spiritual significance. The temple is particularly famous for its Naga-protected Buddha statue, locally known as Luang Pho Sila, which serves as a central symbol of faith for the community. The statue is carved from gray sandstone in the Naga-protection meditation posture, featuring intricate details such as multi-jewelled adornments, a ceremonial headdress, and a square-shaped face. The Buddha sits cross-legged on a three-tiered Naga base, with seven-headed Naga sheltering the statue. The Naga’s tail extends along the body and is decorated in the Lopburi art style. The statue measures 85.5 centimeters in height and 44 centimeters across the lap, weighing approximately 126.5 kilograms.

 

Originally, Luang Pho Sila was enshrined in the large Chao Ram Cave, home to numerous bats. Local villagers discovered a wandering monk who told them about several ancient Buddha statues inside the cave, highlighting one particularly beautiful Naga-protected statue carved from stone. News of this statue reached the abbot of Wat Thung Saliem, Phra Aphai, who initially considered bringing it to the temple. However, due to his advanced age, he could not undertake the journey. The story eventually reached Kruba Kwan, the abbot of Wat Mae Pa Luang in Lampang Province, who, with devotion, organized a team to retrieve the statue from Chao Ram Cave.

 

Upon entering the cave, the retrieval team found many bats flying around the statue. Kruba Kwan performed a ceremony to safely enshrine the statue and carried it through challenging terrain, passing areas such as Nong Pla Siu and Nong Som Poi, until reaching Thung Saliem District. The local community greeted the procession with traditional music and dances. As the statue arrived at Wat Thung Saliem, a remarkable event occurred: the bright April sun was suddenly obscured by heavy rain clouds, and after the rain, bats flew above the temple before returning to Chao Ram Cave, reinforcing the statue’s sacred aura. The community decided that Luang Pho Sila should remain permanently at Wat Thung Saliem, with the blessing of the district ecclesiastical authority.

 

The statue was named “Phra Sila” because it was carved from sandstone, and Kruba Kwan created a replica for Wat Pa Luang in Lampang out of devotion. On October 29, 1977, the statue was stolen from the main ordination hall, disappearing for 17 years. On October 19, 1994, Thai expatriates discovered that the statue had surfaced in England, listed in a Sotheby’s auction catalog in London. Thai authorities filed complaints and worked with the Fine Arts Department to recover the statue, learning it had been moved to the United States. Though the current holder claimed unawareness of its stolen status, they agreed to return it in exchange for compensation of USD 200,000.

 

Thai officials, led by Lt. Chawarin Latsaksiri and supported by executives from Charoen Pokphand Group, verified the statue’s unique features, paid the compensation, and arranged for its repatriation. On December 19, 1996, Luang Pho Sila returned to Thailand at Don Mueang Airport, where an extraordinary sight occurred: bats swirled around the airport despite the bright lights, witnessed by many long-time airport staff. The King of Thailand graciously commanded that the statue be presented at Chitralada Royal Palace for the Golden Jubilee celebration on February 15, 1997, before returning it to Wat Thung Saliem on February 24, 1997. Since then, the local community celebrates Luang Pho Sila annually on February 24.

 

Today, Luang Pho Sila is enshrined in the viharn mandap of Wat Thung Saliem and attracts devotees from across the country. The statue represents not only artistic and historical heritage but also devotion, community unity, and miraculous events, symbolizing the sacred and cultural richness of Thai tradition.