[THAILAND TRAVELS] WAT HUAY MONGKOL – THE GIANT LUANG POR THUAD STATUE | HUA HIN
Other Attraction Places in Hua Hin to explore:
Hua Hin Railway Station & View Point
Hua Hin Hills Vineyard
Cicada Market
Plearnwan Hua Hin (Eco Vintage Market)
Khao Luang Cave
Palace of Love & Hope (Maruekhathaiyawan Palace)
After the panoramic Hua Hin scenery, we headed to Wat Huay Mongkol (Wat Huay MongKhon) to see the largest statue of Luang Phor Thuad in Thailand. The giant statue is about 12 meters high and 10 meters wide. It is set on a large mound wide with a stairway leading to it. The whole structure of this place is quite similar with Tian Tan Buddha in Hong Kong except that the stairways are not steep and longer in steps.The temple was established in year 1964 with humble beginnings as a lodging places for monks until it later became a monastery then temple with Luang Por Paso as the first abbot (1964-1991). Then Phrakru LP Phairoj governed the temple until now. Then, he came up with the idea to build a big Luang Por Thuad statue to carry forth and spread the Buddha teachings. And this has become one of the attractions for both the local thai and foreign tourists when they are in Hua Hin.
Upon arrival of the place, we came across the statue of the Great King Taksin (King of Thonburi) portrayed with riding house and his right hand holding a sword. In front of the statue, there are many sizes of the hen’s statues as well.
Before we headed to the top to have a closer look of the giant statue, there is a huge wooden elephant each side of the statue. Local people walk in circles under the belly of the elephants wishing for good luck.
We took a couple of photos here before we proceed to the next attraction place. Some are here to worship, pray with incense sticks and ask for wishes. It is indeed an eye-opener to see the differences in culture and beliefs of a country. Travelling indeed enriching and good exposure!
In case you are wondering if there is any entrance fee, it is FREE entrance to the public.
HOW TO GET TRANSPORTATION FROM BANGKOK TO HUA HIN?
Apart from private drivers, you can opt from these platforms to compare the prices for private transportation in group.
1. Trazy.com offers 1 day private taxi tour from Bangkok
2. KLOOK also offers private transportation from Bangkok to Hua Hin
3. KKDAY that offers transportation from Don Mueang International Airport (DMK) or Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) Private One-Way Transfer to Hua Hin.
Location: From Phetkasem Road (Highway 4, heading to Prachaub Kirikhand), take Highway 3218 and continue about 15km
(Get a driver to drive you along Hua Hin is so much easier)
Opening Hours: 5:00AM – 10:00PM Daily
Tel: +66 (0)32 576 187, +66 (0)32 576 297