Revered Monk Luang Phu Krap of Wot Krok Krak Passes Away
Luang Phu Krap Yanawatto, the revered former abbot of Wot Krok Krak temple in Samut Sakan Province, passed away peacefully on September 7, 1974, at age 81 after 61 years as a Buddhist monk.
Phra Kru Tham Sakan, known as Luang Phu Krap Yanawatto, was the former abbot of Wot Krok Krak temple in Samut Sakan Province and former leader of the Maha Chai community. Originally named Krap Charoen Suk, he was born on January 13, 1893, during the reign of King Rama V at Baan Bang Ping in Samut Sakan Province. He was ordained on March 12, 1913, at Wot Rasdrang temple, taking the monastic name Yanawatto.
Luang Phu Krap studied Buddhist scriptures at Wot Rasdrang and later transferred to Wot Krok Krak, where he was appointed abbot in 1920. He developed the temple and in 1942 was appointed head of Maha Chai District, Zone 2. In 1970, he received the ecclesiastical rank of Phra Kru Tham Sakan from the Thai Crown.
Wot Krok Krak is believed to be an ancient temple, formally established in 1932 and recognized by royal ordination in 1880 during the reign of King Rama II. The temple features a distinctive teak ordination hall with a curved roof resembling Chinese architecture, reflecting the area's historical Chinese settlement. The temple houses a revered Buddha image known as Luang Phu Pu, notably distinguished by wearing dark sunglasses. This practice originated nearly a century ago when residents made offerings of eyeglasses to the Buddha image after an epidemic of eye disease was said to have been cured through their prayers.
Luang Phu Krap passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 7, 1974, at the age of 81, having spent 61 years as a Buddhist monk. He is commemorated through various sacred amulets created in his honor, including the highly popular Sakyamuni Buddha amulet featuring the ox year design, produced in 1962 from white-brown powder material.
