Chaichana Songkhram Temple (Tha Kae Temple)

Wat Chai Chana Songkhram (Wat Tha Kae) History, Importance Wat Chai Chana Songkhram is a temple of the Mahanikaya sect. 3 Located in Chiang Ngern Subdistrict, Mueang Tak District, Tak Province Traces of Faith Built in 2258, the locals like to call it Wat Tha Kae after the name of the village where the temple is located. Wat Chai Chana Songkhram (Wat Tha Kae) was built to commemorate the victory of the Ayutthaya army in the battle against the enemy during the reign of King Maha Chakkraphat. Behind the village is an ancient embankment, which King Maha Chakkraphat ordered his soldiers to dig the embankment to resist the enemy army. The excavated area is now called Nong Kha, and its name still appears today. Later, the temple was abandoned until 2449, when Phra Athikan Yim, the abbot of Wat Phailom, Phra Khru Chao Khana Khwaeng, Chiang Ngern Subdistrict, along with Phra Sakda Ruangrit, the Lord Mayor of Tak, along with devoted Buddhists, later received the royal charter of the boundary markers in 2449. Later, the ordination hall was renovated and the principal Buddha image made of stucco in the Mara-Vijaya attitude was renovated, in folk art. Inside the chapel, the villagers call it "Luang Pho To". Later, a Buddha image in the Chiang Saen style was invited to be enshrined on a glass pedestal in front of the principal Buddha image. The villagers call it Phra Song Phi Nong Luang Pho To Luang Pho To, a Buddha image in the Mara-Vijaya posture, a local art form. The people of Tak Province pay homage to the charisma of Luang Pho To. They believe that he grants wishes, especially in matters of success in work and promotion. When wishes are granted, the villagers like to offer a Likay performance. In front of the chapel, a stage has been built for performances. Since many people have made vows and had their wishes granted, the Likay troupe is often hired to perform regularly. In addition to Likay performances, the villagers also like to offer fresh jasmine garlands and seasonal fruits. It is believed that meat and pig heads are not popularly offered as a way to fulfill Songkran vows. Songkran Festival or Thai New Year falls on April 13 of every year. This is an important tradition of the Tha Khae community that has been practiced every year. On the morning of April 13, or Wat Theling Sok, locals like to cook a special dish for the festival, which is fried shallots, one of the dishes offered to monks to dedicate to their ancestors. This dish is meticulously prepared. The shallots are stuffed with finely ground dried shrimp, mixed with shredded coconut, finely ground spicy galangal chili paste, salt, stuffed into the shallots, and then coated with flour and fried. This is one of the special dishes of the Tha Kae community, which is eaten once a year. In the past, in the morning, locals would prepare fragrant flowers and perfumed water to bathe the large Buddha statue and offer them to the large Buddha statue in the chapel. They would also sing local songs called “Phitthan” songs, with the lyrics asking for blessings from the large Buddha statue for happiness and good luck throughout the Thai New Year. #ReceiveDiscountsWithoutLuck