Travel like the wind by Suchart Choolee
As a gentle breeze wafted through the old wooden pavilion at Wat Si Chum, the sight of a son wheeling his elderly mother to visit Phra Atchana appeared before my eyes. It was a simple yet powerful image, brimming with love, connection, and a life lived meaningfully. That image made me think of my own mother, of the days she was still alive, yet I never had the chance to bring her to experience this place.
In that fleeting moment, a quiet sense of regret welled up within me. It was a regret too late to fix, something that could never be undone. Because some things, once passed, cannot be changed. The only thing we have in hand is the “present,” and what we can do is use this present to create good things, whether for those around us or even for ourselves.
Wat Si Chum: Art and Faith Deeply Rooted in History
Wat Si Chum, located in Sukhothai province, is one of the most prominent and faith-filled historical sites. The heart of this temple is “Phra Atsasana,” also known as Phra Achana, a large Buddha image in the posture of Subduing Mara, enshrined within a solid square mandapa.
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Phra Achana is immense, standing approximately 15 meters tall. Its distinctive feature is the right hand extending down beside the lap, a posture known as “Mara Vichaya” (Subduing Mara). It is believed that when King Chaiyasiri came to build this temple as a place of ordination for kings and monks, Phra Achana became a symbol of victory over Mara and liberation from defilements..
The walls of the mandapa also feature rows of small niches, which archaeologists surmise were once used to house votive tablets or sacred objects, imbuing the site with an aura of Buddhist art and intriguing mystery.
Because travel is life’s lesson.
No matter how far we go, the most important destination is our own heart.
Don’t wait until it’s too late to tell someone you love them or to take them to a meaningful place.“Travel like the wind.” Don’t let time blow by without the memories it deserves.
Visitor Information
Opening Hours: Wat Si Chum is open daily from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
Entrance Fee:
Thais: 20 Baht
Foreigners: 100 Baht
Children and Elderly: Free
Recommendation: Visiting in the early morning or late afternoon offers a peaceful, serene atmosphere with beautiful light and shadows, ideal for photography and meditation.
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