Wat Huay Mongkol, Hua Hin

7th Feb 2020 

The enormous statue of Luang Phor Thuad. 

This temple is one of the famous temple in Thailand and Thais from all over the country come here to seek for blessings and luck. I remember seeing the monk in amulets and pictures but today, we got to visit this temple. 

Today, on the way to our next hotel, we stopped by at Wat Huay Mongkol. It is always good to pay respect in a local place of worship. 

A beautiful roundabout. 

The GPS brought us into someone's village. We even stopped for the chicken to cross the dirt road. 

Luckily we got out way out and into the tarred road again. 

After some driving and passing an almost deserted town, we reached the temple. We parked our car inside the temple's parking lot. Entrance and parking was free. The weather was scorching hot. There wasn't much shade so we put on some sun block and rehydrate before heading out. I heard the temple gets very crowded in weekends and holidays. 

It was Friday. The scene after the tour bus left. 

The weather made up for the beautiful pictures

King Thaksin's monument

Isn't this a beautiful shot? 😀

The three headed elephant flanking the statue of Luang Phor Thuad. Locals will circle the elephant three times for blessings. 

Another Wat in the distance from the top of the stairs.

While descending on the other side of the statue, we saw little pavilions with man made waterfall, colorful gardens and a children's playground. Lots of spots to take more pictures or rest under the shade. Shops were mostly closed. I am not sure but the place is particularly quiet that day. 

This was a precious shot where no one is around at that particular instance. Feeling blessed to be able to visit the famous temple in Hua Hin.

Hot, hot, hot. Driving towards our next destination.

This temple isn't large but I found a connection. Size of a temple doesn't matter. Often times, I find the smaller to medium sized temples more peaceful. There were a handful of large temples that became too commercialized to attract tourists. I've been to large temples that requires 3 figure entrance fees or even some temples that had "caretaker" that forced you to pay certain sum before we are allowed to go in. What if someone who is low on cash but just want to worship? They don't get to go in because they are poor? Does people make money out of Gods and deities?

I believe temples should be free to enter. People can purchase items to worship if they wish to and donate freely. After all, praying to Buddha only requires a simple clasping of ones hands.