Phra Yod Thong Luang Pho Phra Sai Ruun Baramee Po Thong Micron Thai Buddha amulet from Wat Po Chai, Amphoe Mueang, Changwat Nongkhai, northeast-Thailand (Isaan). The amulet became published in the year B.E. 2552 (2009) in a fire-gilt small series in Wat Po Chai.
The amulet was poured from old holy metals and afterwards fire-gilded. "Phra Sai" is written on the plug in front and on the back side "Nongkhai 52". The amulet is in a silvery metal version, height approx. 4.6 cm, width approx. 2.2 cm, thickness approx. 1.9 cm and weight approx. 16 grammes. It will be shipped together with the original temple amulet-box. The box is written: „Luang Pho Phra Sai Ruun Baramee Po Wat Po Chai Changwat Nongkhai“.
Nong Khai is also called rose of the Isan and lies directly at the Mae Nham Kong (Mekong). The Thai Laos Friendship bridge leads from Nong Khai over the Mekong directly to Laos.
The royal Wat Po Chai is only a few hundred metres afar from the coach terminal and the city centre. In Wat Po Chai there is the holiest and most important Buddha statue of the province of Nongkhai, the Luang Pho Phra Sai. Before the offering there stands a Stupa (Phrathat Chedi) with Buddha relics. Every year on the first full moon day of the 7th lunar month the “Bun Bong Fai” (rocket festival) is held to honour of the Luang Pho Phra Sai.
This small wonderful Wat stands under the patronage of her royal Highness, queen Sirikit of Thailand who contributes from her private property to the enlargement and preservation of the temple.
Many legends entwine themselves round the Luang Pho Phra Sai, because neither the origin nor the exact age is exactly cleared.
Also it should have accomplished quite a lot of miracle to sick person and have helped believers to prosperity and wealth. Because of their luck giving effect amulets and statues from Wat Po Chai are desired very much.
The original Luang Pho Phra Sai statue is in gold and only 104 cm high, as well as 71 cm wide. It should come from Laos and have been brought between 1776 and 1778 to Nongkhai. Nevertheless, the legends tell something else how you can read below.
Legends around the Luang Pho Phra Sai
One legend says that the Luang Pho Phra Sai should have been brought over the Mekong to Laos and should have been fallen out of the boat. It sank into the Mekong and 100 strong men could not lift it. Many decades later the current should have brought it to Nongkhai where it could be rescued by two fishermen out of the Mekong. 100 strong men could not lift him but 2 fishermen should have rescued him from the Mekong decades later, this is seen as a proof for the fact that the Luang Pho Phra Sai has selected itself Nongkhai as its "home".
An another story tells that 3 princesses of the Lan Chang kingdom let pour the statue and it has been robbed later out of Laos.
The third legend means that king Chaiya Chetthathirat (Laotian king) had three daughters of name Serm, Suk and Sai who wanted to let pour their own Buddha statues for themselves. Thus three differently big statues were poured, biggest for the oldest daughter Serm, this statue received the name Phra Serm. The middle statue was named after the second-oldest daughter Suk, Phra Suk and the smallest statue received the name of the latest daughter, Phra Sai.
In 1776 the 3 statues should have been brought from Siam (today Thailand) over the Mekong to Vientienne (capital of Laos). During a storm the Phra Suk of the second-born daughter should have been sunk in the floods of the Nom Ngum river. The Phra Sai should have been brought to Wat Po Chai in Nongkhai and the Phra Serm to Wat Ho Klong. On arrangement of king Mongkut (Rama IV) of Siam the Phra Serm should have been brought later to Bangkok.
None of the legends has been proved till this day academically or historically. Till this day the Luang Pho Phra Sai preserves its secret. This are only 3 legends out of many which entwine themselves round the Luang Pho Phra Sai.
