Maharat Park

and the largest statue of Luang Pu Thuat

By Grant Cameron

December 16^th, 2018

An hour and a half north of Bangkok is the Luang Por Tuad Maharat Buddhist Park.

It is easily found by taking the Don Mueang Tollway from Bangkok, and following highway 32 until the 44km marker, and the park is on the left, on the outbound side.

The park houses a large golden statue of Luang Pu Tuad, a famous Thai monk.

Located on the Asian Highway, the park covers an area of over 200 rai, around 32,000 sq. meters, with the gigantic statue, apparently the largest Luang Por Tuad image in the world, as its centrepoint.

The park has no opening or closing time, nor even an admission fee, so you can enter any time.

As you can see from the first few images, I entered just at sunrise, hoping to get some some shots of the statue and temple without the throngs of people that visit later in the day.

On the walk into the temple, a market lines both sides of the pathway, with vendors selling trinkets, toys, clothes and there are various food stalls.

This market opens anywhere from 08:30 to 10:00am, and closes in the late afternoon.

So, who was this Luang Por Tuad?

Sometimes he is known as “Luang Phor Thuat” and sometimes “Luang Pu Thuat. “Pu”, meaning “grandfather” and “Por”, “Phor”, meaning “Father”.

The age of a monk determines whether he is called Luang Pu, Dtaa, Por, or Pi.

Luang Por Tuad is probably most famous for his legendary powers and for the supposed miracle of turning seawater into drinking water, and which, in fact is his nickname: “Pu Thuat Yiab Nam Tale Jerd” (Pu Thuat stepping over the seawater and turning it to fresh water).

Legend has it that Luang Por Tuad was born in 1582 (2125 in the Buddhist calendar) in Songkhla, a province in southern Thailand, and died in 1682 (2225 Buddhist) in Perak, Malaysia.

Luang Por Tuad is mentioned in early regional histories, but his life is mainly preserved in oral traditions.

In modern times, for some people and followers, his recorded movements throughout the southern Thai peninsula constitute a path of pilgrimage.

In Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia many people believe that amulets depicting Luang Por Tuad hold protective powers providing safety in times of distress, especially saving the lives of believers from seemingly fatal automobile accidents.

Older, sacred amulets of Luang Por Tuad are considered priceless and very powerful.

A substantial history, or legend, has been built up around this famous monk, and if you are interested in learning more you can find detailed information here and here.

GETTING THERE

The map shows the location of the park relative to its position north of Bangkok, just take the expressway heading to Don Mueang airport, that's highway no.32, to Km 44 on the outbound side.