Villagers raised the “Giant Takian Tree Spirit” from Chu Chi canal for worship after it had been submerged underwater, sparking excitement over firecracker tail numbers 824 and 36 during the consecration ceremony. The temple is preparing to install another massive Takian tree soon.
On 14 Aug 2026 at Sattha Tham Temple, also known as Mon Temple, near the Don Hoi Lot tourist area in Bang Jakreng Subdistrict, Mueang Samut Songkhram District, a wave of devotion arose as the community of Ban Chu Chi joined with Sattha Tham Temple to hold a consecration ceremony for the “Takian Tree Spirit.” This large tree was raised from Chu Chi canal, where it had been found submerged about 500 meters from the community, before being installed beside the temple’s teakwood ubosot decorated with mother-of-pearl in a Chinese junk boat design, attracting locals and tourists alike.
The Takian tree measures 7.75 meters in length, weighs over 2 tons, and has a diameter of 2.92 meters. Villagers raised it from the canal on 6 August and moved it to Sattha Tham Temple so people could come to pay respects and worship according to their beliefs.
The consecration ceremony began at 10:09 a.m., led by Phra Kru Pipit Phiphathanakoson, the district chief monk of Bang Jakreng and abbot of Sattha Tham Temple, along with nine monks chanting Buddhist prayers for auspiciousness. Devotees and believers presented garlands and tri-colored cloths to tie around the tree and applied gold leaf to its trunk. Some who believed in luck applied powder and rubbed various spots on the trunk to search for auspicious numbers according to personal beliefs.
The highlight that caused excitement was the firecracker tail numbers from the ceremony: 824 and 36, while the incense stick showed the number 968. Lottery enthusiasts memorized these numbers and interpreted them as auspicious. However, Phra Kru Pipit Phiphathanakoson stated that luck is a personal belief and cannot be proven or guaranteed.
Additionally, Sattha Tham Temple has another large Takian tree located by the Mae Klong River near the bell tower, measuring about 6-7 arm spans, over 10 meters long, and weighing no less than 10 tons. This tree was brought from Lampang Province about 20 years ago. The temple plans to place this tree alongside the newly installed “Giant Takian Tree Spirit” in the future.
The installation of these two large Takian trees within the temple is not only an expression of faith but also reflects the deep connection of Ban Chu Chi community with the waterways and local beliefs passed down through generations. It has also become a new attraction drawing locals, tourists, and spiritual travelers to experience the story firsthand.
For those interested in the “Giant Takian Tree Spirit,” Sattha Tham Temple welcomes visitors and tourists to pay respects 24 hours a day, offering a chance to experience the riverside Mon temple atmosphere along the Mae Klong River and learn about the Ban Chu Chi community’s way of life alongside the Don Hoi Lot tourism in Samut Songkhram Province.
