Phra Phuttha Mongkhon Samrit (Wat Thung Phueng)

Opening days: Daily

Opening hours: 08.00 - 17.00

 

Phra Phuttha Mongkhon Samrit at Wat Thung Phueng in Thung Chang District, Nan Province, is a sacred Buddha image highly respected by local residents and regarded as one of the important spiritual symbols of Thung Chang. The Buddha image is believed to date back to the Sukhothai period and is associated with a legendary discovery at an abandoned temple more than 700 years old.

 

Phra Phuttha Mongkhon Samrit is enshrined at Wat Thung Phueng in Thung Chang District, Nan Province. The story of this sacred Buddha image became widely known in 1970 when Phra Bunpan Panyathiro, the abbot of Wat Ban Thung Phueng at that time, together with five novice monks, traveled to an abandoned temple called Wat Kom Kor, located about 1 km from Wat Thung Phueng.

 

The abandoned temple area was quiet and covered with old vegetation, including two very large Yang trees. According to local belief and oral tradition, Phra Bunpan performed a spiritual prayer ceremony there. During the night, he dreamed of fighting a giant guardian spirit that protected the abandoned temple, and he eventually defeated it. The following morning, he returned to the site with the novice monks to search for sacred objects and Buddha images believed to be hidden underground.

 

The excavation led to the discovery of four Buddha images. One large Buddha image was brought back to Wat Thung Phueng and later became known as Phra Phuttha Mongkhon Samrit. One smaller image was offered to Phra Khru Praphakon Phithak, the ecclesiastical head of Thung Chang District and abbot of Wat Rat Bamrung. The whereabouts of the other two Buddha images later became unknown.

 

Local residents believe that Phra Phuttha Mongkhon Samrit was created during the Sukhothai era and is more than 700 years old. Because of its sacred reputation and the mysterious story surrounding its discovery, the Buddha image became widely respected throughout Thung Chang District and nearby areas. Many people continue to visit the temple to pray for blessings, prosperity, and protection.

 

On April 10, 1999, during the celebration of the 100th anniversary of Thung Chang District, local authorities created the first commemorative amulet coin modeled after the 700-year-old Phra Phuttha Mongkhon Samrit. A consecration ceremony was held so that Buddhists could worship and keep the amulet during the district celebration. Since then, the Buddha image has become even more widely known and is considered one of the spiritual guardians of Thung Chang District.

 

Besides its sacred significance, Wat Thung Phueng also reflects the simple and peaceful lifestyle of local communities in northern Nan Province. The atmosphere inside the temple is calm and suitable for merit-making, meditation, and spiritual visits. Travelers interested in local culture and religious tourism in Nan can conveniently include the temple in a route around Thung Chang District.

 

Getting There is convenient because Wat Thung Phueng is located only about 1 km from Thung Chang District center. Visitors can travel by private car, rental car, or local transport. The route is suitable for a day trip and can be combined with nearby cultural and natural attractions in Thung Chang and northern Nan Province.

 

 

A: The Buddha image is enshrined at Wat Thung Phueng in Thung Chang District, Nan Province.

 

A: It is a sacred Buddha image regarded as the spiritual symbol of Thung Chang District and is believed to date back to the Sukhothai era.

 

A: It was discovered in 1970 at the abandoned Wat Kom Kor by Phra Bunpan Panyathiro and five novice monks.

 

A: Local tradition says that Phra Bunpan dreamed of fighting a guardian giant spirit before discovering the hidden Buddha images.

 

A: Yes. The first commemorative amulet coin was created in 1999 during the 100th anniversary celebration of Thung Chang District.

 

A: Yes. The temple is located only about 1 km from the center of Thung Chang District.