This temple has a special meaning to me as I had previously "invited" a small statue all the way home to Singapore. We were on a roadtrip to collect some statues that a friend wanted to enshrine in his office. Coincidentally, the temple was offering several limited edition Luang Phor Wat Rai Khing statues with Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn's royal monogram. Her Royal Highness was a patron the temple and to commemorate her 60th birthday, the temple created limited pieces of statues for worshippers.
Knowing Mother's possible negative reactions towards me bringing home religious artifacts, I was in a super dilemma. I felt a connection to LP Wat Rai Khing and the kiasu side of me wanted the special edition. In the end, I decided to take a risk and got a 7" base one. I will deal with Mother when I get back.
That was in 2015.
It has been two years since and I was looking forward to visiting the temple again.
It was said that the Buddha statue of Wat Rai Khing was thrown into the river during one of the war and after the war was over, the villagers found the statue floating in the rivr, fished it out and enshrined it at Wat Sala Poon. Later on, Wat Rai Khing was said to be built during Rama IV period and the statue was brought over to be the centrepiece. As the statue had no name of its own, it became known as Luang Phor Wat Rai Khing (Buddha of Rai Khing Temple). The statue is unique with the figure in the Chiang Saen era style, the hands in the Sukhothai style and the face in the Rattanakosin style.
The temple is next to the Tha Chin river and many devotees would buy bread to feed the catfish that inhabits the river.
On the way back out to the highway, do take time to have a meal at Somnuek Kai-Yang. Their thai grilled chicken is definitely a treat.
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