Phana is one of the oldest towns in Northeast Thailand. It was settled by migrants from Vientiane in 1708 AD. The story of its foundation has been passed from generation to generation and can largely be verified by historical sources.
The story tells how around 1688 there was civil disorder in Vientiane so for their safety many people migrated southwards along the Mekong River. A group led by a well-respected monk called Chao Phone Samet reached Champassak after pausing to repair the Phra That Phanom, and for many years this monk was the de facto ruler of Champassak. He is still honoured there and there are several stupas containing his relics.
Among the lay people who followed Chao Phone Samet to Champassak there were two hunters, brothers called Pran Tee and Pran Tong. One day they and their men went northwest from Champassak to hunt. Finding a vast area of fertile, well-watered land next to a forest, they moved their families and friends to set up a village at the edge of a forest, with the older brother Pran Tee as headman.
Three monks who left Vientiane with Chao Phone Samet but had settled in Roi-Et were invited to visit Pran Tee, perhaps because a cholera epidemic had struck the new village. The three monks advised the villagers to move to a better location next to a big pond and everybody agreed to do so. A temple was built next to the big pond and Phrakru Tri, one of the three monks from Roi-Et, was invited to become the first abbot. The temple, known at first as Wat Phra Lao (but now known as Wat Pra Lao Thepnimit) and the main Buddha image were completed in 1720.
Wat Phra Lao Thepnimit, Phana, Amnat Charoen
Chao Phone Samet reliquary stupa, Don Daeng, Champassak
Chao Phone Samt portrait, Muang Champassak
Comments