The Theravada traits commonly seen in the Thais’ everyday lives are the alms giving, the bathing of the Buddha image, and the attendance at the weekly sermon. In alms giving, the monks travel to residential communities on bare foot to receive the food offerings at laypersons’ houses at 6-7 am everyday.

Group alms giving is practiced on significant religious occasions such as Songkran (the traditional Thai New Year), the Vesak, the Rain Retreat, the Pre-Rain Retreat Day and the Magha Puja. In the evening of those religious days, the Theravada Buddhists take part in the Wien Tien ceremonial, where each of them holds a lit candle in their hands while making their way around the temple in the clockwise direction.

Hua Hin shares the common aspects of Buddhism with most parts of Thailand. However, over the past two years, the religious sphere in Hua Hin has achieved the relevantly outstanding renown for the talismans “Jatukam Ramathep” and “Luang Poo Tuad”.

Talisman Frenzy

Since Wat Huay Monkol Temple opened the gigantic statue of the historical monk “Luang Poo Tuad” in 2005, faithful worshippers have flocked across the country to pay homage to the image of venerated guru as well as to buy double-sided amulets which feature figures of him and of Jatukam Ramathep godly king. The sight of men of all ages walking around the town with sizeable Jatukham Ramathep chains around their necks has become ubiquitous not only to Hua Hin, but also to other parts of the country.

The feverish popularity of Jatukam Ramathep and Luang Poo Tuad, as the matter of fact, originated from the Thai South. When an area so easily accessible as Hua Hin presents the believers with the object of worshipping in such astounding size, Wat Huay Monkol Temple obtains a significant role in tourism, and subsequently, in the provincial economy.

Visitors who are more attracted to the truer side of the religion may retreat to Wat Ee Tee Sukato Temple and Wat Kao Krai Lart Temple. The sanctuaries are set deeper in western mountain ranges and host religious ceremonials in the more serene atmosphere and environment. In the art sphere, visitors to Wat Ee Tee Sukato Temple may be pleased at the sights of distinct sculptures that are arranged in haphazard manner.