Khao
Takrao Temple
 This
ancient temple is located at Bang Khrok sub-district of Ban
Laem district. It houses a highly revered sitting Buddha image
in the subduing evil attitude, having a height of 29 inches
and a lap width of 21 inches. The statue is called 'Luang
Por Khao Takrao' (the title 'luang por' always prefixes the
name of a Buddha image in Thai).
During
the Ayutthaya period, two fishermen from Ban Laem found this
seated Buddha, together with a standing image in the attitude
of carrying an alms bowl, while trawling in the Mae Klong
River. The standing image was placed at Phetch Samut Wiham
Temple in Samut Songkhram, while the seated image remained
at Wat Khao Takrao.
Folklore
has it that the seated image at Khao Takrao is one of a trio
of Buddha images, the other two being 'Luang Por Sothon' in
Chachoengsao and 'Luang Por Wat Ban Laem' in Samut Songkhram.
Another legend says the image is one of five 'brother' images,
which adds 'Luang Por Bang Pli Yai' in Samut Prakarn and 'Luang
Por Wat Rai Khing' in Nakhon Pathom to the first three images.
Close
by Khao Takrao Temple, at the mouth of the Phetchaburi River,
is a large sandy cape called Laem Leaw. Mangrove thickets
crowd the area, with resident monkeys and bird species. A
restaurant juts out into the sea. A good time to visit is
at low tide when the villagers slide along on the mud on a
piece of wood in search of 'hoy krang', a popular Thai shellfish.
To
get to Khao Takrao by car from Phetchaburi town, turn right
at the city pillar shrine and then left into Ratchawitee Road.
Turn left at the intersection, in front of the district office,
cross the railway and proceed along Route No 3176 for about
10 km. Turn left through a big arch and continue for 3 km,
past salt farms and shrimp pools. The temple is on the right
hand side.
Mini
vans (songthaew) make the trip every 30 minutes from 8.00
am to 3.30 pm and from 6.15 am to 3.30 pm on the return trip.
The journey takes about 30 minutes and costs 12 baht per person.
The songthaew station is at Pongsuriya Road, near Phra Jomklao
Bridge.
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