Temple Hopping on Holidays – The Legend of 'Phra Phud,' the Sacred Buddha Image at Wat Phra Thong in Phuket

Wat Phra Thong in Thalang District, Phuket, is an ancient provincial temple that enshrines 'Phra Phud' or 'Luang Pho Phra Phud,' a sacred golden Buddha image with only its topknot protruding from the ground approximately one cubit. Recognized as one of Thailand's hidden gems, the image is revered with the saying that anyone suffering from hardship who pays respects and requests blessings will have their wishes fulfilled. It holds deep reverence among Thalang residents and nearby communities, particularly the Chinese population, who regularly pay homage during important festivals.

The legend of Phra Phud has been passed down through generations, recounting miraculous powers and divine interventions dating back to ancient times. According to the tale, when the image was first discovered, the area was used for livestock raising. A severe storm brought torrential rain that flooded the rice fields and toppled countless trees. After the rain stopped, a farmer's boy led his buffalo to graze in the field but couldn't find the usual wooden peg to tether it. Instead, he tied the rope to a muddy post protruding from the ground. Upon returning home, the boy suddenly collapsed, convulsed, and died. The next morning, his parents found their buffalo dead as well.

That night, the boy's father dreamed that someone told him the deaths occurred because the boy had tied the buffalo rope to a sacred Buddha image. The following morning, he invited neighbors to inspect the spot. Upon washing away the mud from the post, a brilliant golden Buddha topknot was revealed. The townspeople paid respects and informed the Thalang city ruler, who ordered excavation. However, no matter how they tried to dig, thousands of tiny wasps emerged from underground and attacked only the diggers, leaving those paying respects completely unharmed. This miracle astonished all witnesses. Eventually, the ruler ordered a shelter built over the image.

Years later, a white-robed Buddhist nun came to Thalang, fearing the Buddha image might be cut up and sold. She worked with villagers to coat the image with whitewash for protection. In 1809 during the reign of King Rama I, the Burmese attacked southern Thailand and captured Thalang. When Burmese soldiers attempted to excavate Phra Phud to take it back to Burma, a miraculous event occurred: millions of tiny ants emerged from the excavated soil and attacked the soldiers, causing hundreds to fall ill and die. As the remaining Burmese soldiers tried to burn the ants and dig deeper, the Nakhon Si Thammarat ruler's forces arrived and successfully recaptured Thalang.

Later, Luang Pho Singh, a wandering monk from Sukhothai, came to Thalang and discovered Phra Phud. He inspired villagers to build a temple to preserve the precious Buddha image. The community built monastic dwellings, a viharn, and an ordination hall, with Phra Phud as the principal Buddha image. The temple was named Wat Nai In, Wat Phra Phud, or Wat Phra Lot Kho. Luang Pho Singh, the first abbot, also raised the Buddha image higher than before.

Luang Pho Singh left behind a riddle: 'Eight and four, bring fire to burn the ghost, the ghost won't decay, fragrance spreads far. Whoever thinks carefully shall receive the red-lipped toad's place. Whoever understands shall receive the neck-choking spot.' This riddle, created through spiritual intention, was meant for succeeding abbots to solve. Abbots unable to solve it would not remain long at the temple. Since no abbot ever solved the riddle, the temple eventually fell into ruin, gaining the reputation that Wat Phra Phud consumed its abbots, until 1897 when Phra Khru Chit Thasamon came.