Ancient Buddha statue found in Phayao coconut grove
A homeowner in Phayao province was surprised to discover an ancient Buddha statue while hiring a backhoe to level land in a coconut grove. Believed to be a Pra Singha 1 in the Mara Vichai posture, the statue could be over 1,000 years old.
Residents of Pa Sang village, located in Dok Kham Tai district, reported the find, which occurred during preparations to build a house. The backhoe unearthed the statue at a depth of approximately 2 metres.
After being cleaned, the statue was placed in front of the house, attracting locals who came with flowers, incense, and candles to pay their respects.
The statue, identified as a Pra Singha 1 Mara Vichai, features an 18-inch-wide lap, a height of 29 inches, and weighs over 50 kilogrammes. It is crafted from bronze with a green hue and is well-preserved.
The design is typical of early Chiang Saen style, with distinct attributes such as a lotus-bud styled hair, clear spiral curls, and a robe draped over the shoulder ending in a pointed shape resembling a centipede’s tooth.
Upon learning of the discovery, Doctor Nipoon Phattanakit, the abbot of Wat Phra That Khing Kaeng and deputy district monk of Chun, visited the site. He noted the statue’s resemblance to a Buddha figure known as Phra Ong Dam, missing from the temple for over 80 years.
Kanya, the coconut grove owner, recounted hiring the backhoe to level land she had purchased. The statue was found at a depth of about 2 metres.
After cleaning it, she set it up for worship at her home. She stated that if any organisation or temple could provide evidence of ownership, she would return the statue willingly, reported KhaoSod.
In similar news, residents of Chai Nat province were astonished when a 15-kilogram Buddha statue was found floating in the Noi River.
Locals have since enshrined the statue at Sala Ruam Jai, a newly built pavilion in Ban Tha Bang, Phong Ngam subdistrict, Sankhaburi district.
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