| Wat Saphan Sung (วัดสะพานสูง) or “Tall Bridge Temple” is located in the Pakred district of Nonthaburi province, approximately an hour plus drive from downtown Bangkok. This temple is not in any tourist maps or visitors guide and some Thai people don’t even know of its existence. However, Wat Saphan Sung is very well known amongst amulet collectors and nearly everyone living in Nonthaburi. The amulets that are famous at this temple are Takrut, which are rolled up metallic sheets (lead, silver, or gold) inscribed with holy symbols, and Phra Pidta, a figurine Buddha image with both hands covering the eyes. The Phra Pidta is especially highly regarded, as it is in the “Benjaphakee” set of Phra Pidta, meaning that it’s in a set of the 5 most highly prized Phra Pidta of the amulet collecting world. Since I live in Nonthaburi and also a novice amulet collector, I decided to pay a visit to the temple and obtain some amulets for my collection. The temple is not large in comparison to the famous Bangkok temples, but it is very well maintained as evident in the splendid looking pagoda, shrines, and other facilities. The temple receives many visitors on a regular basis and the donation money helps to keep the temple in good condition. The first thing I did when arriving was rushed to obtain an amulet from a senior monk named Luang Poo Ward. He’s 95 years old and makes his amulets by hand. To my good fortune, I received the very last Takrut that he just made a few days ago. Two other guys that came about a minute behind me had to go home emptied handed. Feeling quite ecstatic and sense of accomplishment, I toured the temple and paid my respect to the images of Lord Buddha and statues of past gurus who made this temple famous. Wat Saphan Sung may be out of the way for the average visitors to Thailand, but it’s definitely worth a visit if you’re adventurous, into temples and amulet collecting. Besides obtaining amulets, you can also feed the fish in the river and meditate under the shade of a tree along the river, a true Thai Xperience!  Getting There
You should take a taxi or rent a van, address in Thai below: วัดสะพานสูง
ถนน เกษตรพัฒนา ตำบล คลองพระอุดม
อำเภอ ปากเกร็ด จังหวัด นนทบุรี If you take the taxi, you need to ask the driver to wait for you while you tour the temple (with the meter off). This is because the temple is far away from major roads with no taxis around. Most taxi drivers will agree to wait since they don’t want to go back with an empty car. |
