“A sanctuary of resilience,” whispered a villager, his voice echoing the tales of the Wihan of Wat Pho Kao Ton. The Wihan of Wat Pho Kao Ton in Singburi stands as a testament to a time of both peace and conflict. It played a pivotal role during the Burmese invasion of Ayutthaya in 1765. As Burmese troops ravaged the countryside, the people of Singburi rose up in defiance. They formed resistance groups, their courage echoing within the walls of the Wihan of Wat Pho Kao Ton. News of their bravery spread. Soon, people from neighboring cities flocked to join the fight, transforming the Wihan of Wat Pho Kao Ton into a strategic fort. Today, this fort is known as the Fort of Bang Rachan. The villagers sought guidance from Phra Thamachot, a revered monk from Suphan Buri, believed to possess powerful incantations. He took residence at the Wihan of Wat Pho Kao Ton, his presence a beacon of hope. The Burmese commander, alerted to the growing resistance, dispatched reinforcements. Seven times they attacked Bang Rachan, but each time they were repelled. The eighth assault, however, proved disastrous. Led by Suki, a Mon spy familiar with Thai military tactics, the Burmese employed a devastating strategy. They launched fireballs from their camp, aiming to set fire to the village. The Thai forces, lacking cannons, struggled to defend against this onslaught. The Burmese then dug tunnels, launching a surprise attack from beneath the fort. The Wihan of Wat Pho Kao Ton and the village of Bang Rachan fell, its defenders massacred. The Wihan of Wat Pho Kao Ton remains a poignant reminder of this heroic struggle. It is a place where the echoes of resilience mingle with the whispers of loss, a must-see for anyone wishing to understand the heart of Thai resistance.
Garuda Museum
Behold the Garuda, a four-meter sculpture spreading its wings. This is the entrance to Southeast Asia’s one and only Garuda