Residents of Khon Kaen joined in carrying “Luang Pho Phra Khao,” the sacred Buddha image revered as the city’s guardian, to be enshrined in the Isan-style ubosot at Wat Pa Saeng Arun Royal Monastery, allowing Buddhist devotees to worship it with Khan Mak Beng offerings, believed to grant all wishes fulfilled.
At 06:39 on 1 Oct 2026, in front of the Isan-style ubosot at Wat Pa Saeng Arun Royal Monastery, Phra Tham Wachirasansuthi, advisor to the Dhammayut Regional Chief and abbot of Wat Sri Chan Royal Monastery, together with Phra Sutheewachiratham, Khon Kaen Provincial Chief Monk (Dhammayut), Phra Phutthiwachiramethi, deputy provincial chief monk and acting abbot of Wat Pa Saeng Arun, and Mr. Kraisorn Kongchalat, former governor of Khon Kaen, led Buddhist devotees from Khon Kaen and nearby provinces in enshrining Luang Pho Phra Khao. This ancient Buddha image, over 400 years old and deeply revered by Khon Kaen residents, was placed on a pedestal inside the Isan-style ubosot at Wat Pa Saeng Arun to allow devotees to pay respects and pray, amid strong faith in the Phra Lap subdistrict and surrounding areas, where many wore white robes to participate in the ceremony.
Phra Phutthiwachiramethi, deputy provincial chief monk of Khon Kaen (Dhammayut) and acting abbot of Wat Pa Saeng Arun Royal Monastery, explained that Luang Pho Phra Khao is a sacred Buddha image long enshrined at Wat Pa Saeng Arun. Originally, a disciple of the late abbot Phra Phrom Wachiradilok, a monk from Laos who studied and resided in Khon Kaen, had a vision of Luang Pho Phra Khao being in a cave at Phu Kao-Phu Phan Kham, Nong Bua Lamphu. Despite initial fruitless searches, as the vision indicated the image was in a cave, the monk practiced asceticism and meditated in that area for years. Eventually, he discovered a small opening in the mountain, lit a candle, and found Luang Pho Phra Khao buried in mud. He enshrined it in a robe and brought it back to the temple, entrusting it to Phra Phrom Wachiradilok, who has since preserved it as the temple's sacred Buddha image.
"According to belief, Luang Pho Phra Khao is over 400 years old and has been enshrined at this temple for more than 60 years. The late abbot carefully preserved it as a venerable ancient Buddha image, which was traditionally only displayed for devotees to pay respects during Songkran Festival. Therefore, the monastic community chose an auspicious time during the 50-day Buddhist chanting ceremony for the royal funeral of the late abbot Phra Phrom Wachiradilok to unite in a devotional ceremony enshrining Luang Pho Phra Khao in the Isan-style ubosot. This allows devotees and tourists to visit daily from 08:00 to 18:00 without any holidays to pay respects and make merit."
Phra Phutthiwachiramethi added that it is believed anyone who pays respects and prays to Luang Pho Phra Khao will achieve success and have their wishes fulfilled. The late Luang Pu Saman had said that whenever there were obstacles in business or monastic activities, praying to Luang Pho Phra Khao would bring success. Today, the monastic community and laypeople united to enshrine this sacred image so devotees can worship it. The temple and the faithful provide Khan Mak Beng offerings and monastic robes for all visitors. Women are respectfully requested to wear traditional Thai wrap-around skirts (pha sin) when entering the Isan-style ubosot. The temple has also prepared prayers and chants for worshippers and invites visitors to write their names, addresses, phone numbers, and birthdates. Every three months, a lottery is held to award 100 visitors with silk cloth and pha sin, supporting tourism and Buddhist maintenance. Donations to support the temple’s upkeep and public utilities are welcomed according to individual faith and capacity.
