The origin of the Wat Chaiyo legend, or Wat Ketsaiyo in Ang Thong Province, began when Somdej Phra Phutthachan (To Brahmaransi) created a large seated Buddha image (Luang Pho To) outdoors at this historic temple during the reign of King Rama IV. This act was dedicated as a merit offering and led to the creation of the famous Phra Somdej Ketsaiyo amulets known for their spiritual efficacy.
Wat Chaiyo Worawihan is a royal second-class temple of the Maha Nikaya sect, located in Village 3, Chaiyo Subdistrict, Chaiyo District, Ang Thong Province.
Phra Somdej Wat Chaiyo
The seven-layer print is considered one of the earliest, most valuable, sought-after, and rare amulet types.
Another rare print is the Phra Somdej Wat Chaiyo from Ang Thong Province, created by Somdej Phra Phutthachan (To Brahmaransi), the former abbot of Wat Rakhang Kositaram during King Rama IV's reign in Bangkok's Rattanakosin era, around 1866. The highly popular Phra Somdej Ketsaiyo amulets come in twelve main prints plus some additional ones.
Popular seven-layer print
Seven-layer print with shoulder ears
Six-layer print with solid chest
Six-layer print with continuous chest
Seven-layer print with arm projections (Nak Leng To)
Seven-layer print competing pillow
Seven- and six-layer prints with straight shoulders
Seven- and six-layer prints with V-shaped chest
Knee loop print
Five-layer print
Three-layer print
There are also several other prints, such as the seven-layer base with six layers.
Six-layer Toh print
Seven-layer Toh print
Six-layer rare print and five-layer print
Three-layer print, etc.
These are rarely encountered.
According to records by Phraya Thipakosa (Sorn Lohanan) and Mayor Nok Satchukorn, who documented oral histories from Phra Thammathaworn Chanthachoti, a novice who helped Somdej Phra Phutthachan (To Brahmaransi) grind the sacred powder to create the Somdej amulets around 1866 at Wat Rakhang Kositaram, the amulets made at that time included both three-layer and seven-layer prints. The seven-layer prints were enshrined at Wat Ketsaiyo in Ang Thong Province. Furthermore, Phraya Thipakosa noted that Somdej Phra Phutthachan (To Brahmaransi) created these amulets as merit offerings for his mother named Ket and father named Chai. Thus, the Somdej amulets came to be known by the temple's name as Somdej Wat Ketsaiyo.
Somdej Phra Phutthachan created these Somdej Wat Chaiyo amulets at Wat Rakhang Kositaram and then distributed them and enshrined them in the crypt at Wat Chaiyo Worawihan when he came to build the large Buddha image, or the Great Buddha, at this temple.
Wat Ketsaiyo is considered a sacred place where people commonly seek blessings for progress, safety, and protection.