Luang Phor Thuad (หลวงพ่อทวด), also called Luang Pu Thuad and Somdet Chao Phako, is a monk of southern Thai tradition. Popular accounts place his life from about 1582 to 1682 [1], [3]. Most of his story comes from legend and local tradition, and Komchadluek notes that no historical evidence confirms it [3]. Amulets in his image were first mass-produced in 1954 (2497 BE) at Wat Chang Hai in Pattani, under its abbot Ajarn Thim [12], [6].
Key facts
| Fact | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Thai names | หลวงพ่อทวด / หลวงปู่ทวด; สมเด็จเจ้าพะโคะ (Somdet Chao Phako); "the Luang Phor Thuad who stepped on the sea and made it fresh" | [1], [3] |
| Formal title in tradition | Somdet Chao Phra Ratchamuni Sami Ramakhunupamachan, said to be conferred by King Ekathotsarot | [1], [3] |
| Traditional dates | Born 2125 BE (1582) in Sathing Phra, Songkhla; died 6 March 2225 BE (1682) at Sai Buri. Other birth years are also proposed | [1], [3] |
| Temples | Wat Phako (Wat Ratchapradit), Sathing Phra, Songkhla; Wat Chang Hai (Wat Rat Burana), Khok Pho, Pattani | [8], [7], [6] |
| First amulets | 2497 BE (1954), herbal-and-soil material (nuea wan); about 64,000 pressed of 84,000 planned | [6], [13] |
| Maker of the 2497 issue | Phra Khru Wisai Sophon (Ajarn Thim Thammatharo, 1912–1969), in charge of Wat Chang Hai from 1941 | [4], [5], [6] |
| Metal issue | 2505 BE (1962) cast pieces called "lang tao reed", consecrated at Wat Chang Hai on 16–19 May 1962 | [15] |
| Historical status | A possible link to a monk named in Ayutthaya endowment documents has been raised but not proven | [11] |
Who was Luang Phor Thuad? Names and titles
Thai sources use several names for one figure. He is หลวงพ่อทวด or หลวงปู่ทวด, Somdet Chao Phako, and Luang Pu Thuad Wat Chang Hai after the Pattani temple that keeps his remains [1], [3], [8]. Thai and English Wikipedia add the epithets Than Ong Dam and Than Lanka, and the Southern Information database records "Than Lanka" as the name used in Kedah [1], [2], [6].
The legend of Luang Phor Thuad, as told
The account below is the tradition printed in Thai press and local histories. Komchadluek calls these local legends with no historical evidence confirming them [3].
Birth, the cobra and the crystal ball
Tradition names him Pu (ปู), son of Nai Hu and Nang Chan, who are said to have been bonded servants of a rich man called Setthi Pan in Sathing Phra, Songkhla [1], [3]. While his parents harvested rice, a king cobra is said to have coiled around his cradle and left a shining mass that hardened into a crystal ball (ลูกแก้ว) [3], [6]. Setthi Pan took the ball, fell on hard times, then returned it and freed the family [3], [6]. Wat Phako is said to keep this crystal ball today [8], [10].
Training and the royal title
He is said to have studied from about age seven at Wat Di Luang under his uncle, then at Wat Si Khu Yang and at Wat Sema Mueang in Nakhon Si Thammarat [3], [6]. Tradition says King Ekathotsarot of Ayutthaya gave him the title Somdet Chao Phra Ratchamuni Sami Ramakhunupamachan [1], [3].
Stepping on the sea
The epithet "stepped on the sea and made it fresh" (เหยียบน้ำทะเลจืด) comes from a story of pirates [3], [8]. Komchadluek and the Songkhla provincial office tell it this way: pirates took him aboard from the shore, their ship stood still for days, and the fresh water ran out. He put a foot on the sea (the provincial office says his left foot), the sea water tasted fresh, and the pirates returned him to shore [3], [8]. Komchadluek places the story at Wat Phako, when he was reportedly in his eighties [3].
Komchadluek adds that villagers on Ko Nui, Nakhon Si Thammarat, link the story to a small freshwater rock pool, which it explains as a spring reaching the surface through rock fractures [3].
Death in Sai Buri and the journey to Wat Chang Hai
Tradition says he died on 6 March 2225 BE (1682), reportedly aged 100, at Sai Buri (ไทรบุรี) [1], [3]. The Southern Information database gives his age as 99 [6]. Sai Buri, or Syburi, is the old Siamese name for Kedah, now in Malaysia [18]. Komchadluek says it passed to Britain by treaty in 2451 BE with Kelantan, Terengganu and Perlis; the English Wikipedia article on Kedah dates the transfer to the Anglo-Siamese Treaty of 1909 [3], [18]. Some accounts instead place his death at a temple in the Gerik district of Perak [3]. His body is said to have been carried to Khok Pho, Pattani, by a route of 18 resting points, ending in cremation at Wat Chang Hai [3].
Did Luang Phor Thuad exist? What the historical evidence says
The story cannot be fully checked. English Wikipedia states, in a passage marked there as lacking a citation, that he appears in early regional histories but that most of his life is known only through oral tradition [2]. Even his birth year is disputed, and Thai Wikipedia lists three proposals [1]:
- 2125 BE (1582), from Anan Kananurak (อนันต์ คณานุรักษ์), a name Thai Wikipedia also gives to the co-organiser of the 1954 amulets [1], [5]. Thai Wikipedia notes that the stated weekday does not fit that year. Komchadluek says dates around 2125 are the ones found most often [3].
- A year written "990" in an old manuscript that the page cites; Thai Wikipedia quotes it without working out which calendar it uses.
- 2131 BE (1588), from Suthiwong Phongphaibun, who gave the year as 950 in the Chula Sakarat calendar.
Historian Kamphon Jampapan notes that Ayutthaya endowment (kalpana) documents name a monk, Somdet Chao Phra Kho (สมเด็จเจ้าพระโค๊ะ), as a leader of the endowment of southern temples [11]. He observes that the legend of Luang Phor Thuad resembles this monk's story, but says that treating them as one person needs firmer evidence [11]. He calls Luang Phor Thuad a "cultural hero" [11].
A 2013 Chulalongkorn University thesis states that belief in Luang Pu Thuad had existed in the South since the Ayutthaya period [12]. In its reading, Ajarn Thim connected the local myth to the new amulets and created a new body of myth around them [12].
Wat Phako and Wat Chang Hai: the two temples of Luang Phor Thuad
Wat Phako, Songkhla
Wat Phako, officially Wat Ratchapradit (วัดราชประดิษฐาน), stands on Khao Phatthasing in Sathing Phra district. Sources conflict on its distance from Songkhla: the provincial public relations office gives 48 km [8], while a Muang Boran Journal route guide gives about 70 km by road (Highway 408) from Songkhla city [10]. Thai Wikipedia dates the temple's founding to 2057 BE (1514), under King Ramathibodi II, without a citation [9].
A Royal Gazette notice dated 19 May 2569 BE (2026) raised Wat Ratchapradit (Wat Phako) to a royal monastery of the third class, ordinary type, effective from 17 May 2569 [19]. The notice cites royal patronage from several Ayutthaya kings and legends linked to Somdet Phra Ratchamuni Sami Ramakhunupamachan [19]. Thai Wikipedia cites the same notice but gives 19 May as the date of the elevation [9].
Its museum, opened in 2536 BE (1993), shows his eight requisites (atthaparikkhan), a robe, a walking staff and a "crystal ball of merit" associated with him [8]. A rock footprint on the hill is locally believed to be his [8]. Muang Boran Journal presents the birth stories on a local heritage walk as things "told" or "believed" [10].
Wat Chang Hai, Pattani
Wat Chang Hai, also called Wat Rat Burana, is in Tambon Khuan Nori, Khok Pho district, Pattani [7], [6]. A founding legend says Phraya Kaem Dam (พระยาแก้มดำ), ruler of Sai Buri, let an elephant choose a city site for his sister. It cried out three times where the temple stands, but she was displeased and chose the coast, where Pattani was founded [6], [7]. The temple took the name "the elephant gave" (ช้างให้), and the legend names Luang Phor Thuad as its first abbot [6].
The temple fell into ruin and was abandoned more than once, with restoration beginning in 2480 BE (1937) [6]. A stupa beside the southern railway holds ashes venerated as his [6]. When it was rebuilt, the fragile old brass urn was left in place inside a new stupa [6].
Ajarn Thim and the first Luang Phor Thuad amulets of 2497 BE
Who was Ajarn Thim?
Phra Ajarn Thim Thammatharo was born Thim Phromphradu on 21 August 2455 BE (1912) at Ban Na Pradu, Pattani [4], [6]. The sources conflict on when he became abbot. The Southern Information database says he went to Wat Chang Hai as abbot on 15 July 1941 (2484 BE), but its career list calls him acting abbot from that year and formally appointed in 2491 BE (1948), and its list of abbots gives 2483 to 2512 BE [6]. Thai Wikipedia gives his term as 2484 to 2512 BE [5]. He received the title Phra Khru Wisai Sophon in 2499 BE (1956) [6]. He fell ill with oesophageal cancer in 2510 BE (1967) and died on 30 November 2512 BE (1969), aged 57 [4], [5].
How the 2497 amulets were made
The amulets were a fundraiser. Work on a new ordination hall began with a foundation stone on 6 August 1952 and stalled in 1953 for lack of money [6]. Komchadluek reports that Ajarn Thim launched the project with Anan Kananurak to pay for the hall, and that part of the proceeds also went on improving the neglected temple grounds [4]. The Southern Information database records a telling in which Luang Phor Thuad appeared to Anan in a dream and asked for an amulet in the form of an aged monk, and another in which Ajarn Thim had a vision [6].
Pressing ran from 19 March to 15 April 1954 [6], [13]. Of 84,000 planned pieces, about 64,000 were ready for the consecration on 18 April 1954, with Ajarn Thim presiding [6], [13]. The temple took in 14,000 baht (1954) in donations that day [6]. The hall's boundary (sima) rite was held on 31 May 1958 [6].
Material and moulds
The 2497 pieces are "nuea wan" (เนื้อว่าน). Posttoday describes 108 kinds of fresh wan herbs pounded with sifted din kak ya yak soil (ดินกากยายักษ์) and bound with tang-iu oil [14]. Black, red and white specks show in the body, and the back carries a mineral called kimsiao, reportedly from Anan's mine [13], [14].
The front-only moulds were carved from lac (ครั่ง) and repaired as they wore, producing several variants [13], [14]. Posttoday says that, because of the short time and the many moulds, identifying them takes study, and that early, sharp pressings are usually called the Kammakan ("committee") mould [13]. A Phra Rod-shaped mould also exists [14]. Siamrath says the later 2505 large, medium and small moulds all copy the 2497 designs [15].
The 2505 "lang tao reed" metal issue and later batches
After the herbal pieces there were calls to make more [15]. Siamrath's columnist Ram Watcharapradit, quoting Anan Kananurak's notes, says Anan had meant to press herbal pieces again [15]. In that account Ajarn Thim sat in meditation, asked the spirit of Luang Phor Thuad, and was told to make metal pieces if funds allowed [15]. Prince Chalermphon Thikhamphon was chief patron, and Ajarn Sawat Dechphuang cast the pieces, with the pouring done in Bangkok at Wat Khok Mu (Wat Sitaram) [15]. They were consecrated at Wat Chang Hai on 16–19 May 1962 (2505 BE), and Ajarn Thim handed out the first pieces on 19 May [15].
"Lang tao reed" (หลังเตารีด, "flat-iron back") refers to the pointed back, though Siamrath notes that the medium size has a round-tipped lotus-petal back [15]. The batch came in three sizes. Siamrath describes pours in black mekhaphat alloy (fewer than 1,000 pieces), in nine metals (nawaloha) and in a mix of copper and brass [15]. About 6,000 pieces were made in the large mould in the two main alloys, and almost all medium pieces were re-struck [15]. English Wikipedia distinguishes plain backs from inscribed "nang suer" backs and lists moulds A, B and C for the lang tao reed [2].
Later issues are numerous. English Wikipedia records coins in 2500 and 2504 BE [2]. The 2013 thesis notes that from about 2530 BE (1987) production grew in both southern and central Thailand [12].
Luang Phor Thuad 2497 and 2505 prices
The press price estimates we reviewed could not be verified against their sources, so none are repeated.
ThaiAmuletExchange price index (observed asking prices, not valuations). The figures below are asking prices observed on public listings, not valuations or confirmed sale prices. The index does not verify whether a listed piece is genuine, so listings of copies may be included. Each series pools all moulds, sizes and conditions, and listings in other currencies are converted to Thai baht. Figures checked 21 Oct 2026; each series page lists every observation with its source, date, original currency and link.
| Series | Listings (sources) | Median | Middle half (p25–p75) | Latest listing | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2497 nuea wan, AML-LUANG-PHOR-TUAD-BE2497 | 13 (4) | THB 20,000 | THB 8,000–78,000 | 8 Oct 2026 | [20] |
| 2505 metal, AML-LUANG-PHOR-TUAD-BE2505 | 66 (6) | THB 45,000 | THB 15,750–92,849 | 8 Oct 2026 | [21] |
How collectors judge a 2497 Luang Phor Thuad, and replicas
Copies of the 2497 issue are discussed in the press, and the sources say that judging a piece takes study and experienced advice [11], [13], [14]. The points below are what Thai press columnists describe. They are not a guarantee, and none of these sources authenticates any piece.
- Weight and texture. Old pieces feel heavy in the hand compared with recent copies [13]. The surface often looks loose and cracked as the herbs dried [14].
- Back and base. The back shows fingerprints and mineral grains [14]. Posttoday also notes small round or rectangular marks under the base, left by a stick used to lever the piece from the mould, though some were dressed away [13].
- Specks. Under magnification, black, red and white specks appear in every piece, according to Posttoday [13], [14].
- Surface traces. Some pieces show brown herb-sap stains or a cloudy "wan wax", but not every genuine piece has them [13], [14].
- Comparison. Posttoday advises comparing a piece against enlarged photographs of verified examples [13], [14].
Luang Phor Thuad in Malaysia, Singapore and beyond
His traditional death place lies in today's Malaysia, and shrines mark the journey of his body [3], [6]. Posttoday reports that collectors in Malaysia, Singapore, China and Hong Kong hold these amulets in respect [14]. In Malay, tangkal means an amulet (azimat), according to Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka [17].
The 2013 thesis found the amulets first popular in the South among ordinary people, medical workers and security personnel [12]. Komchadluek writes that his name is known for a reputation of escaping harm (แคล้วคลาด); this is a belief the press reports, not something this entry can confirm [4].
MGR Online describes the image at Wat Huai Mongkhon, Hua Hin, as the largest of him in the world, at 9.9 m across the lap and 11.5 m high [16]. It reports that King Rama IX renamed the temple from Wat Huai Khot [16].