Wat Tuek วัดตึก
This active temple is located in the northwest corner of the island. This area is known as the Hua Laem District. Khlong Mueang (the old Lopburi River) passes nearby it.
There are two sermon halls in situ at Wat Tuek. The ubosot co…
Wat Tuek วัดตึก
This active temple is located in the northwest corner of the island. This area is known as the Hua Laem District. Khlong Mueang (the old Lopburi River) passes nearby it.
There are two sermon halls in situ at Wat Tuek. The ubosot contains about a dozen tusks are on display at the altar. There are also two statues to revered Monks near the ubosot’s entrance. The second sermon hall is a vihan containing sword-welding statues and some paintings of King Sua. Some gold painted Buddha images in various poses can also to be seen.
Beside the statue of King Sua, there are images of soldiers and an elephant that have been partially covered with gold leaf. Most of these structures and Buddha images appear to be recent constructions.
One of the most interesting sights at Wat Tuek is a preserved buffalo Cyclops. The one-eyed calf’s body floats in a fish aquarium next to the sermon hall. Some locals believe that this carcass can bring good luck or help predict fortunes.
The remains of the ancient site can be found at the rear of the sermon hall. Monastery walls are still visible along with an old sermon hall. The altar has some old fragments of Buddha images mixed with some modern images that have been painted gold.
The history of this monastery is unclear. Wat Tuek is associated with King Sua (Luang
Sorasak). The Royal Chronicles state that this King renovated a mondop for containing a footprint of the Holy Buddha. When it was
finished, King Sua ascended to it in a holy Royal procession with the military in formation
by water and land routes. However, there is no mondop in situ matching this description, so the chronicles may not have been written in relation to Wat Tuek.
One alternative theory is that King Sua enjoyed watching boat races from a hill at Wat Tuek, so this is how the monastery became associated with him.
In the late 1960s, the head of the community at Wat Tuek was known for his capability in building up the monastery. He attracted man..
