☼ Wat Na Pradu ☼

พระราชปัญญารังสี อดีตเจ้าคณะจังหวัดปัตตานี

Baan Na Pradu, Khok Pho District was a small town in between Pattani and Yala provinces. The majority of it population are Muslims with minority Thai Buddhist and Thai Chinese. Buddhism holds an important role in this southernmost province as a bridge where different religions and cultures co-exist for centuries. Due to its mountainous area and long seashore, It is rich in historical significance worth studying, there are several tourism resources of nature, famous historical ancient places, impressive customs and traditions that are worth visiting.

Wat Na Pradu Buddhist Temple was built around 1877 formerly known as Wat Kanthi Wan and was later renamed Wat Na Pradu on January 20, 1957. Revered Luang Phor Phan was the first abbot and was well respected and in high regard by Pattani villagers. Wat Na Pradu was considered one of the main Buddhism learning center in the southernmost provinces for Buddhist monks, where past and present abbots of Wat Chang Hai and Wat Sai Khao was ordained at and became leading figure, and as a result gained the respect of Buddhist followers from near and afar.

The late venerable Chao Khun Phra Raj Panyarangsri is a well-respected figure in the Buddhist communities in Thailand and neighbouring countries, as former chief abbot of Wat Na Pradu and Provincial Chief of Pattani Province, his holiness has dedicated his entire life to spreading the teachings of Buddha and fully devoted his duty looking after the welfare of large and small Buddhist temples in the whole of Pattani province. In order to preserve the teachings of Buddha, he emphasizes education for every Buddhist monks which place value in respect, compassion, and moral integrity in the Sangha community. The late Venerable Chao Khun Phra Raj Panyarangsri is an upright monk who has always works behind the scene and has made substantial contributions in every Buddhist affairs and events under his administration of Pattani province. Venerable Chao Khun Phra Raj Panyarangsri departed peacefully at the age of 73 on August 31, 1992.

Venerable Phra Kru Arthorn Supatkan or Phra Archan Phon, the present chief abbot of Wat Na Pradu has uphold all the previous abbots moral principles by carrying out his duty responsibly in teachings the Buddhist community the Buddha’s ideology, and in the light of increasing violence in the southernmost provinces, Venerable Phra Kru Arthorn Supatkan has always expressed it was all the more necessary to respect and live together in peace and harmony in this plural society that need to cultivate better understanding and love among the ethnic group and various faiths. During its formative years, Venerable Phra Kru Arthorn Supatkan has learns the arts of making the miracles Luang Pu Thuat amulet from the late Phra Archan Thim and late Phra Archan Nong where these two great masters has also imparted their knowledge and Dhamma to him so that he could further spread the Buddha's teaching to the Buddhist followers. As times gone by, the original formula of handmade Luang Pu Thuat amulet ingredients and herbs was passed down to Venerable Phra Kru Arthorn Supatkan whereas he could further produce and distribute the handmade Luang Pu Thuat and Luang Phor Phan commemorative amulet to the devotees.

What makes this small town well-known and renowned, are three prominent temples ( Wat Na Pradu, Wat Chang Hai & Wat Sai Khao ) which are closely associated to each other that also co-produce the famous Luang Pu Thuat commemorative amulets, where Thais and foreign devotees are keen to worship and possess this little wonders. These followers believe Luang Pu Thuat commemorative amulet will keep them from harm and protected them away from dangerous.

The originator of Luang Pu Thuat commemorative amulet were the late Ven. Phra Kru Witsai Sophon (Phra Archan Thim Dhamma Tharo) formerly known as Thim Phompradu, he was born on August 21, 1912 at Baan Na Pradu, Khok Pho District, Pattani. Phra Archan Thim Dhamma Tharo started his primary education at Na Pradu primary school when he was nine 9 years old, due to family hardship, his father decide to took him to live under the guardianship of Phra Kru Pattarakhon Kowit the former chief abbot of Wat Na Pradu, he study at Na Pradu school until third grade before leaving school but still lived with Phra Kru Pattarakhon Kowit and was ordained as a novice at the age of eighteen at Wat Na Pradu. In 1941, he became Chief Abbot of Wat Chang Hai, where upon he decided to reconstruct this ancient temple due to deteriorated conditions. At that time, Phra Archan Thim has to use Wat Na Pradu as his place of work to coordinate the reconstruction of Wat Chang Hai. Likewise, Ven. Chao Khun Phra Raj Panyarangsri Chief Abbot of Wat Na Pradu, Ven. Phra Kru Dhamma Kit Kosorn ( Phra Archan Nong ) of Wat Sai Khao and several respected senior monks from various provinces also helps in assisting the funds-raising project for Wat Chang Hai.

According to legend, Luang Pu Thuat was born with supernatural powers where he can turn sea water into fresh drinking water and he is well versed in Buddhist Tripitaka scriptures during the Krung Sri Ayutthaya period.