The legend of “Luang Pu Thuat stepping on seawater to make it fresh” is a miraculous story about Somdet Chao Phang Phakarn (Luang Pu Thuat) during his sea journey to Ayutthaya when the fresh water ran out. He demonstrated his supernatural power by stepping on the seawater, turning it into fresh water. This is the origin of his nickname and the legend of invincibility: "Wearing Luang Pu Thuat’s amulet protects from sudden death."
“Luang Pu Thuat Large Iron-Back Amulet from Wat Chang Hai, 1962.”
This batch of Luang Pu Thuat amulets was sponsored by Prince Chalermphon Thikhamphon, who based the design on the 1954 Luang Pu Thuat amulet made of herbal powder but crafted it in metal. The prince instructed master Sawat to cast three types of metal iron-back Luang Pu Thuat amulets:
Large iron-back print.
Medium and small iron-back prints. Another group consists of stamped amulets with inscriptions on the back, divided into large print, "T" character print, and plain print; and small print, with "T" character and plain versions.
When casting the large iron-back print, some amulets came out incomplete or imperfect. New molds were made, and those with incomplete molds were re-stamped, creating the large re-stamped Luang Pu Thuat amulets. Most medium prints were also poorly cast and required new molds and nearly complete re-stamping. Thus, most medium prints are re-stamped, with a few original well-molded pieces called plain medium iron-back Luang Pu Thuat amulets.
The Luang Pu Thuat stamped-back amulets were all stamped in Bangkok. After completion, they were sent to master Thim for consecration at Wat Chang Hai. The 1962 batch consists of mixed metal alloys; some amulets have a reddish tone, others yellowish. There are also a few made from ore and cloud-swirling metal.
The consecration ceremony was a major event at that time, preceded by three days of celebrations from 17 to 19 May 1962. After the morning consecration on the 19th, crowds of devotees waited eagerly, causing the distribution to be done even through windows. Besides the iron-back and stamped-back Luang Pu Thuat amulets, other items blessed included herbal powder amulets from the will batch, 4th series coins, and a small batch from Wat Muang in Yala.
Today, the Luang Pu Thuat Wat Chang Hai iron-back amulets are highly sought after by collectors for protection and good fortune. Prices are very high for all types, especially those made from Nawa metal, which were produced in smaller quantities and can reach prices in the millions of baht.
Recite Namo three times.
Namo Bodhipanyo Mahalarop Parimitta.
Namo Bodhisatto Akantimaya Itipakava.
