A definite case of penis envy

NAKHON PATHOM: Phallic symbols have been worshiped by man since time immemorial, and in Nakhon Pathom’s Phra Phathom Chedi district lives one man who is doing his best to keep that tradition alive. Not only has he collected 300-400 wooden lingams, but he proudly wears 100 of them – all at once suspended – from a special belt strapped around his waist. Fifty-one year old Suthep Seupsanoh, who works as a cook, began collecting wooden penis images about 30 years ago – and once he started, he could never get enough. He made his way to any remote village temple in the country, no matter how far-flung, if he learned there was a good penis image to be had there. The wooden lingams are produced in rural temples, where they can be carved to incredibly lifelike precision in the hands of a gifted monk. K. Suthep’s collection now includes phallic images in a bewildering variety of lengths, thicknesses and knob shapes. Although K. Suthep probably has the perfect penis image to meet anyone’s needs, he says it is important that they are considered as objects of devotion – not self-gratification. They are not to be confused with dildoes. As if the weight of 100 wooden penises swinging at the hips weren’t enough, he also wears more than 200 amulets, coins and other good luck charms around his neck, stored in pouches hanging from his shoulders, or stuffed into his pockets.