LP Thuad

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Wat Changhai is situated at Pattani, South Thailand. It was built more than three hundred years ago. LP Thuad was a legendary monk from the past and he is still very much revered by many people especially in Southern Thailand. In our present generation, he is famous for amulets made in his image which many believed hold great protective powers which have been proven to be very effective.

On 24th April 1963 AD (1st day of Chinese 4th Moon), the abbot of Wat Chaiya Mangkalaram, Penang, the Venerable Phra Kru Prasit Chaiya Mongol (Phor Than Daeng) invited the learned monks from Bangkok to Penang to officiate the opening ceremony of the holy image of LP Thuad.

At about 6 pm, Luang Pu Thuad suddenly revealed his presence in the body of a monk, presumely while the monk was in meditation. Impressed, many devotees asked for guidance and advice. Out of curiosity, one devotee inquired about his life history, Luang Pu Thuad kindly revealed the following details:

He was born in Singora, Thailand. His ancestors had migrated from Fujian Province in China many centuries ago due to the turmoil situations back then in China. His ancestors had eventually settled down in Singora, South Thailand. His parents were also born in Singora, Thailand. His mother was of Chinese origin. His parents were very poor but they were faithful devotees of the Buddha. They stayed in a hut near an old temple, Wat Khokosan and were employed by a rich family as farmers.

Luang Pu Thuad was born at Ban Suan Chan, Chumphol district, Sathing Phra in Songkhla, Southern Thailand in the year of A.D.1582 (B.E.2125) when his parents had passed their 40s. When he was less than 6 months old, he was placed in a towel under a shady tree near the paddy field while his parents are working. At noon she ceased work for break time in order to breast-feed him. As she walked towards the baby, she saw a huge cobra snake curled around him. Alarmed, she called out for help. The neighbours quickly gathered whatever weapons they could and came round.

The python was stern and motionless. The people around did not know what to do. No one dared to initiate an attack. His mother, however, had an idea. She remembered the ancient belief that this snake might be an avatar of the gods. So she plucked 7 wild flowers of different colours, put them on a leaf, and offering rice cakes,threw herself down at the ground and bowed to the cobra. After a while, the cobra spit out a crystal ball of manifold colours on the baby?s chest and slithered away. His mother kept the gem and brought him home.

The farm's rich man offered a very handsome price for the crystal ball. But LP Thuad's mother did not wish to sell it. The wealthy man then tried to force her to sell it using undue pressure. At last LP Thuad's mother relented in the face of the rich man's pressure.

The rich man was elated, but only for a while. Within three days, all members in his family fell ill. Consulting a medium, he was told that he had kept something which did not rightfully belong to him. Only the baby boy (LP Thuad) could keep it. The rich man became frightened and returned the crystal ball to the baby?s mother.

Luang Pu Thuad began to learn about the Buddhist teaching in a temple nearby at the age of 5 years old. Being naturally talented, he mastered all subjects his teacher could guide him within a year. He went to other temples over the hill and across the jungle to acquire further teaching every day. He became a monk named Samanera Pu at the age of 12 years old and devoted a full time study in the Dharmma. Samanera Pu was fully ordained at at later stage and was given the Buddhist Monastical name Samiramo. His father passed away at the age of 72 years old when he was in his early 20s. In order to further his studies in Buddhism, he left his mother and went to other Ayuthaya the old Thai Kingdom.

From his present location, Wat Phra Ko, South Thailand, LP Thuad took a boat bound northwards to Ayuthaya province (a former capital of Thailand). After sailing for half a day, the boat met with great storms. The crew were frightened. The boat did not arrive at its destination after drifting for several days. The supplies of drinking water were running low. The boat crews, being superstitious, unfairly blamed their misfortune on the presence of LP Thuad. They planned to throw him overboard into the sea.

Sensing their ill intentions, LP Thuad calmly consoled them that they needed not to worry about drinking water as there was plenty around. As he stretched his leg out of the boat, the storm suddenly abated. Using his leg, he drew a circle on the sea and told the boatmen to draw water within it to drink.

The crew were furious! They thought that this monk was trying to trick them. After LP Thuad's assurance that the water is actually drinkable, one of them decided to give it a try. He found that the water was indeed fit for consumption. Soon the rest of the boat crew went to drink the water to verify it for themselves. One curious crew member purposely tasted the water outside the circle and shouted that it was salty. The crew soon abandoned their thoughts of harming LP Thuad.

On the next day, the boat arrived at Ayuthaya province. LP Thuad walked for a few miles and was happy to come across a grand temple. The monks in the temple refused to accept him as he was poorly clad. He then turned to an old temple not very far away. The old keeper welcomed him and offered him board and lodging. He stayed there to study Buddhist scriptures, to pay homage to the Buddha and to practise meditation. He did this for half a year.

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The ruler of a neighbouring Buddhist country, the King of Ceylon, eyeing the growing wealth and power of the kingdom of Thailand, sent seven monks to Ayuthaya province to test the achievements of the monks in Thailand. They brought with them 12 bowls containing 84,000 words. These words puzzle were to be arranged into a certain sutra within 1 week. If the task was accomplished, King of Sri Lanka would present Thailand with 7 boats made of gold. However, should the task be unsuccessful, Thailand would have to surrender its sovereignty to Sri Lanka. The Thai King found it difficult to reject such a challenge as if did so, Thailand would be the laughing stock of the Buddhist world and of the world at large. The Thai King then gathered all his country's well-known learned monks to deal with this problem. Many tried but were unsuccessful to solve the puzzle.

A Royal Announcement was made to look for someone capable of dealing with the puzzle. All the King's subjects were discussing about the country's current crisis. On the fourth night, the King dreamed of a white elephant trumpeting in a brillant light. He consulted a medium and was told that it was a auspicious sign as a sage was likely to appear to solve the problem. The King was, nevertheless uncertain about the meaning of his dream as foretold by the medium.

On the sixth day, LP Thuad left the temple in the morning to ask for alms in the form of food. He arrived at a rich man?s house. They saw him holding a bowl standing in front of the door. The rich host reverently offered him food. He sensed that the monk in front of the door was rather extraordinary in appearance. He paid LP Thuad due respect and told the latter that their country which reputed for their Buddhist studies would be put to shame if no one could meet the challenge put forward by Sri Lanka's King and asked whether he could help. LP Thuad replied that he would try. The rich host was very happy. He intended to invite LP Thuad to see the King immediately. LP Thuad told him not to be in a hurry and he would go the next morning.

After LP Thuad had left, the rich host delivered the good news to the King. The next morning, a special Royal carriage brought LP Thuad to the palace. On arrival he was escorted by officials to the entrance of the royal palace. The steps boomed with loud sound as LP Thuad walked on them barefooted. The King and the officials were all very quiet.

About half an hour later the monks from Sri Lanka came in. After exchanging greetings out of formality, LP Thuad began to arrange the words. 12 bowls of words were poured onto the table. He closed his eyes and arranged them with both hands. After about a quarter of an hour, he announced that 5 words were missing.

The 7 Sri Lankan monks remained silent. He then warned that anyone who did not quickly take out those missing words would die a most horrible death with a cracked skull. The culprits was frightened and took out those missing words.

With his eyes closed Luang Phor Thuat exercised his supernormal power to arrange the words. The sutra was completed in a little while. Seeing that Thailand had successfully responded to Sri Lanka's challenge, those 7 monks presented those 7 boats made of gold and left. Thus LP Thuad?s name became well-known throughout the country. He was henceforth looked upon as a saintly Buddhist monk in Thai history.

Impressed by LP Thuad's wisdom, the Thai king bestowed upon him the rank and title of "Somdej Phra Rajamuni Samiramagunupamacarya". LP Thuad also later became King Ekadasaroth's (King of Sri Lanka) advisor.

LP Thuad remained in the capital city for a few years until he was informed of his mother?s serious illness. He rushed southwards and not long after, his mother passed on at the age of 78. After the funeral he stayed in Singora, Thailand.

Upon returning home, LP Thuad had found that Wat Phra Ko was in ruins. He then sent a messenger to the Thai King asking if his majesty could help restore the temple. The Thai King was only too glad to help and the temple was soon restored to its former state. The Thai King also bestowed the land surrounding the temple on LP Thuad and the 250 families living around that area.

A state governor from the south by the surname of Phang, a man with a comparatively dark countenance, wanted to build a Buddhist temple. He came to Singora to look for a distinguished monk to head the project. One evening after sunset, he saw an old monk strolling along the seaside, leaving behind a trail of light. He knew that this was the monk to approach. He stepped forward to pay due respect to LP Thuad and told him of his intention to build a temple in Pattani. LP Thuad already knew about the matter through his psychic powers. He consented and went with governor Phang to Pattani. When the construction was completed, the temple was named Wat Changhai. LP Thuad was an asthetic monk wondering to many places spreading Buddhism teachings. LP Thuad was the abbot of this temple till he passed away at a far distance location named Saiburi (now known as Gerik in Malaysia).

According to some historical records, the asthetic meditation master passed away in Malaysia in B.E.2217 at the age of 92 years old, some 336 years ago at a present village called Air Kala in Gerik Malaysia. The passing away of LP Thuad marked the enlightenment of a supramandane being and it was said that his body was carried back by devotees and his disciples from Air Kala villange that was known as "Sami Mati" all the way to the present border town Pengkalan Hulu and then onward to Pattani before finally reaching Wat Changhai. A total of 12 stops was recorded where the body was transported using a wooden carriage beginning at;

1. "Sami Mati" Air Kala

2. Pengkalan Hulu a Siamese village 300 years ago

3. Wat Thepsuwannaram at Padang Pliang in present Kedah State

4. Wat Por Saereeyaram in central Kedah State

5 & 6. Thai village by the name Naka

7. Wat Phikhun Thararam a former Thai village known as Padu at the northern part of present Kedah state

8. Wat Dindang in Tanah Merah located in the north-eastern part of Kedah

9. Wat Parittaram in Padang Senai the final Malaysian border

10. Wat Baan Thamtalo in Thailand

11. Wat Baan Lekkachawa in Thailand

12. Wat Changhai the final stop



During the transportation along the stops, strange phenomenon happened where body fluids that flowed out from the body onto the ground and they began to form into molds. These tiny molds began to grow larger on its own and devotees offered their prayers till today at those stops. This phenomenon is still available today at Wat Thepsuwannaram and Wat Phodhichetiyaram in Kedah. The great meditation master LP Thuad had wished that his body be cremated in Wat Changhai within Thai territory as he may already knew in the future Malaysia and Thailand would be split into 2 countries.

At present, there is a monument to commemorate LP Thuad using his Buddhist Monastical title - Rajamuni Samiramo at this holy site nearby to Air Kala village called Kampung Sawa in Gerik vicinity where the great meditation master passed away. The village folks today are mainly Chinese community. The enlightenment spot is a present rubber plantation estate and the land was donated by the land owner where a proper monument for LP Thuad 'Rajamuni Samiramo Park' was built here.

This is a holy site and for the interest of devotees and Buddhism to remember this great meditation master.

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In the later part of Luang Pu Thaud's life, he mostly dedicated his time in spreading Buddhism across the Thai Kingdom and went as far as to the Malay Peninsula according to some historical sources. After LP Thuad passed away, he manifested in the dreams of his disciples. They then started to make amulets of his image. The most famous amulet image of Phra LP Thuad was made in B.E.2497 by Ajahn Tim of Wat Changhai. Wat Changhai is well known largely associated with its past temple abbot Archan Tim whom created the highly popular batch known B.E.2497 models.

Apart from Ajahn Tim of Wat Changhai whom is famous for making LP Thuad amulet image, another notable monk equally famous in making LP Thuad amulet is Ajahn Nong from Wat Saikow in Pattani, Songkhla. Ajahn Nong and Ajahn Tim are friends in their lifetime. Ajahn Nong and Ajahn Tim were ordained on the same day, and naturally were good friends often helping each other on various missions, including an occasion in B.E.2497 when they both co-created the Luang Phor Thuad Pranuewahn amulets.

Both teachers had since passed away and the legacy that they left behind is their teaching of our Lord Buddha and the Phra LP Thuad amulets they consecrated out of compassion for all lay devotees like us. These amulets are now very rare and expensive, well beyond the budget of the average collectors. Fortunately there are many LP Thuad votive tablets that still falls within the means of most collectors.

Ajahn Tim was born on the 21st day of the 8th month B.E.2455 (A.D.1912) in Pattani Province. The monastical name of Ajahn Tim is Phra Timthammatalo. He was ordained at Wat Napradu in B.E.2476 and his preceptor during the ordination was Phra Ku Phibunsommanawat. On the 15th day of the 7th month in B.E.2484, Ajahn Tim became Wat Chang Hai's 5th chief monk in 1941 during the Second World War. He was a very compassionate monk during those time of perils and he was much loved by the people.

However, we must not disregard that other temples are also equivalently good in making Phra LP Thuad images.

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In B.E.2495 Ajahn Tim undertake the task of reconstructing Wat Changhai and there was a shortage of funds. At the same time, there was a very wealthy man Anan Kananuraj who came forward to offer sponsor for the much needed temple funds for temple reconstruction. It's co-incidnt that Ajahn Tim received the main sponsorship from this wealthy benefactor.

Anan Kananuraj had been suffering back pain illness. One night Anan dreamt of an elderly monk with a crooked walking stick standing in front of Wat Changhai. The elderly monk illustrated to him how he had turned sea water into fresh water. It was a dream that seemed so real. Finally the elderly monk asked him to kneel down and this monk gave blessing to him by suppressing his forehead with some mantra chanting. The elderly monk told Anan that he will soon have an important assignment and Anan gladfully accepted it. The next morning Anan found his dream very strange and he also discovered that his back pain was completely cured. Looking stunt, he went to Wat Changhai to find out what was his assisgnment that was derived from the earlier dream that had cured his illness.

True enough when Anan met with Ajahn Tim, he found out that the temple was short of funds and volunteers. Immediately without any hesitation, Anan volunteered and donated the much needed funds for the temple reconstruction works. That night Ajahn Tim went into deep meditation and LP Thuad revealed his appearance and instructions to Ajahn Tim. The very next day Ajahn Tim sketched the description of LP Thuad to Anan. The exact identical sketch of the elderly monk horrified Anah and so the faith and believe in the limitless power of LP Thuad became very strong in the minds of everyone.

Not long after that, Ajahn Tim began the design of Wat Changhai's votive tablets with all the volunteers for the temple reconstruction. The naming of this batch of votive tablets was in a dilemma as nobody have a clue about this elderly monk. The elderly monk appeared to be over 100 years old and the word "Thuad" carries the salutation of great grandfather in Thai. Hence, everyone decided to name the 1st sacred batch of "Praneuwahn" votive tablets consisted of holy powders and plants as Luang Pu Thuad. On the 18th day of the 4th month in B.E.2497 (A.D.1954), the incantation of the first batch by inviting LP Thuad was conducted at Wat Changhai. During this auspicious ceremony, high ranking monks such as Ajahn Nong of Wat Saikao, Luang Po Song of Wat Phra Koh, and Luang Pu Chin of Wat Muang Yala were invited to confer their blessings.

It is clear now we can associate LP Thuad with Rajamuni Samiramo, the same legendary monk who lived during the Ayutthaya period. As such, this is the miraculous ability of LP Thuad votive tablets to provide protection to countless worshippers started from Wat Changhai. Sadly, Ajahn Tim passed away in the morning on the 30th day of the 11th month in B.E.2512.

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Another notable figure worth mentioning here is Porthan Krai. Many of us may accidentally refer him as Porthan Klai the "Golden Mouth Monk" from Wat Suan Kan. Porthan Krai we mentioned here was actually a fellow disciple of LP Tuad as both learned under the same teacher at Wat Pako, Songkhla. When LP Thuad went to Ayutthaya to further his studies in Buddhism, PT Krai went to Yala to continue his meditation. It is said he attained a very high state when cultivating there. That's when he started to use his psychic powers to help people.
PT Krai went to the hilly & forested area in Yala Province and he subdued all the fierce beasts there, especially the tigers and cobras with his psychic power. That's why we see PT Krai sitting on a tiger and 2 cobras flanked at both sides. The villagers there were able to live safely without being harmed by any beasts. In memory of the virtues of the master they built a temple to honour him, which is Wat Lam Phaya today.

There were a lot of miraculous stories of PT Krai, and there was a large followers and faithful devotees for generations over the centuries. Legend has it that when PT Krai was alive, his hair was able to turn into copper by itself and so if he wanted to shave his hair, a rite must be performed first before others can proceed.

On June 5 BE2505 (1962 A.D.) PT Krai's ashes was invited to be placed at Wat Lam Phaya. While workers were digging the old burial ground it was found that when the urn was tapped the ashes within will produce a loud metallic sound. Whereas the wood in the vicinity within a radius of 20 metres from the burial ground produced a fragrance as well as miraculous healing properties. It had the efficacy to heal the sickness of the faithful devotees. When the ashes of PT had already been invited and placed inside the temple, PT's images was produced and PT Krai's spirit was invited to reside within the images. When Ajarn Tim from Wat Changhai saw the images he remarked that it was exactly like what he saw in his meditative mind. The amulets of PT Krai were produced in BE2505 (1962 A.D.) with sedges, containing altogether 3 pims which were small, medium and large.

The first PT Krai amulets fomr Wat Lam Phaya was consecrated in B.E.2505, and subsequently in B.E.2506 & B.E.2507 respectively. At that time, both Ajarn Tim & Ajarn Nong was also invited to Wat Lam Phaya to consecrate the PT Krai amulets batches. Materials used were Wahn powder used to make LP Thuad at Wat Changhai in 2505. Various Rians were also made at that time. Because LP Tuad & PT Krai are closely related, AJ Tim had no problems inviting the both of them to come and bless the amulets during the "Puttaphisek" ceremony.

At present famous Southern Thailand monks who concerated Phra LP Thuad amulets is LP Thong among others following the footstep of Ajahn Tim. Venerable LP Thong is in his advanced age today and probably the batch in B.E.2552 (A.D.2009) Phra LP Thuad amulets that he consecrated would be his last batch.

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Continuing further our main topic of discussion, many Thais today can testify to the protective powers of LP Thuad amulets from the wearing of amulets in the image of LP Thuad. Nevertheless, one have to take note that Phra LP Thuad amulet is most suitable for people conducting in legitimate profession i.e. office employees, people into high risk profession i.e. high rise construction projects and also for businessmen. It may not be so suitable for those in the illegitimate trades.

Whether an amulet is old or new, it should be worn with high respect in accordance to Lord Buddha's teachings. With proper understanding, even the newest batch that just came out from the temple will be as effective for own's protection.

It is highly recommended that we should not wear LP Thuad amulet into gambling places such as casinos to gamble, consume alcohols with friends or go to places of low repute. However, if you must go to these places due to mental temptation as a result of our Khandas (the 5 aggregates) or simply because of social, my recommendation is to respectfully remove the amulets and leave it inside your car. Always conduct good karma as much as possible without harming others. That is the essence behind all amulets making to all Buddhist irregardless.

In general LP Thuad amulets are efficious in the following properties:

1) Protection from accidents (such as traffic accidents and even natural disasters so on)

2) Protection from all sorts of danger (such as gunfire)

3) Protection from black magic and any form of offensive spells

4) Protection from evil spirits, demons and other hostile malevolent entities


Apart from LP Tim and Ajahn Nong both old masters whom are famous in making Phra LP Tuad amulets, present masters are LP Thong of Wat Sampaucher and Ajahn Daeng of Wat Rai in Patanee Province.

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Luang Pu Thuad Katha

Namo Tassa Bhagavato Arahato Samma Sambuddhasa (x 3)

then after only chant this short version Phra LP Thuad katha

Namo Bodhisatto Agantimana Iti Bhagawa Nacaliti (x3)



The full phrase Katha version is listed below;

Namo Tassa Bhagavato Arahato Samma Sambuddhasa (x 3)

Namo Bodhisatto Akantimaya Iti Bhagava

Namo Bodhisatto Akantimaya Iti Bhagava

Namo Bodhisatto Akantimaya Iti Bhagava

Padam Rajamuni Samiramam Aradhanam Saranam Agacchami

Padam Rajamuni Samiramam Aradhanam Saranam Agacchami

Padam Rajamuni Samiramam Aradhanam Saranam Agacchami

Namo Bodhisatto Rajamuni Samiramo Mahapunno Anubhavena Me Rakkhantu

Namo Bodhisatto Rajamuni Samiramo Mahapunno Anubhavena Me Rakkhantu

Namo Bodhisatto Rajamuni Samiramo Mahapunno Anubhavena Me Rakkhantu