Phetchabun Tourist Stuff

November 10, 2024

Last night our hostess babbled away about a Buddhist Park that we ought to visit. It is situated a few kilometers northbof Phetchabun on Highway 21. So that was the first thing we did this morning. Apart from an enormous statue there wasn't much to see. The official blurb reads as follows:

Phra Phuttha Maha Thammaracha Chaloem Phrakiat, is the largest replica of the Buddha image in the world and is the priceless Buddha image that Phetchabun people highly respect; it is made of pure brass, the Buddha image is 11.984 meters wide, 16.5899 meters high, 35 meters above the ground, weighs more than 45 tons. Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn presided over the ceremony of filling the Buddha's relics at the top of the crown, and opened the eyes of the Buddha Maha Thammaracha. Phra Phuttha Maha Thammaracha.

A replica in the temple beneath the statue.

Behind the statue lies a large pond with a walkway.

The pond is full of large carp which flock to the surface when people appear, having become conditioned to being fed by visitors to the park.

Then it was back into town, first to Wat Mahathat and then the Archeological Hall. We should have done it the other way round because then we would have learned a lot about the Wat and its statues.

Many very old chedi, sone busy being decorated.

Two very important statues (I think they are the originals). The one at the back is Luang Por Phet Mee Chai, a 36-inch bronze Buddha image in the Mara-Vijaya attitude from the Sukhothai period and is the guardian Buddha of Phetchabun. The one in front is Luang Por Ngam.

One of the reasons for spending two nights in Phetchabun is that this weekend is a big one for international rugby with the Springboks taking on Scotland tonight and we needed a place with good internet access so that we can stream the match live. Unfortunately the match only starts at a quarantine eleven Thailand time so it will be one thirty tomorrow morning by the time we get to sleep. We'll try and get some kip before the game but most likely we are going to be pretty tired tomorrow. New Zealand beat Ireland on Friday night while Australia beat England yesterday, both results being against most pundits expectations. South Africa need just a draw against Scotland to hold on to their number one status so hopefully the result doesn't defy predictions.

Today's ride: 20 km (12 miles)
Total: 1,973 km (1,225 miles)

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