When the name Luang Phor Thongsuk, Wat Tanodluang, Changwat Petchaburi is mentioned, almost everyone has heard of this guru monk who was famous for his knowledge of Visha. Even city dwellers and neighbouring provinces has heard of or witnessed his miracles in their lifetime.
Luang Phor Thongsuk, or Sook, is always referred to by his birthname “Sook” which means “Happiness”. He was born on Friday 19th of May, B.E.2420, Year of the Ox, 9pm in the evening. He was named after the day that he was born which is “Wan Sook” (Friday). His father’s name was Nai Joo and his mother’s name was Naam. Sook was born in his home cottage which was the southern district of Hin Lek Fai in the province of Petchaburi in the reign of King Rama V. He had 6 other siblings born of his mother.
At the age of 9, Sook was enrolled for his studies at in a temple Wat Poh in district Baan Laat. The abbot taught Sook the Khmer and Pali language for his education and his interest was in Muay Thai Boxing and defensive Thai sword play.
At the age of 15, Sook’s family moved to the province of Ratchaburi and he frequently hanged out with his friends to attend Thai traditional folk drama and music playes in theatres. Even as time goes by, Sook was getting bored of these performances and started loitering with his friends aimlessly until he fell into the bad company of ruffians and hooligans. Due to his bad influences, he started committing crimes and became a notorious gangster in Ratchaburi.
Once, he committed a very serious criminal offence and was wanted by the police. To evade arrest, he fled and hid in the jungles of Samutsongkram and was in a very pathetic state. During the time, he reflected on his past wrongdoings and realised that his body and mind was under the influence of “Mara”. He vowed to ordain and to turn over a new leaf to repent for his past actions and the year he ordained, he was at the age of 32 years old.
On the 12th of July B.E.2452, Sook was ordained as a monk in Wat Pramoht in the province of Samutsongkram and his preceptor was Luang Phor Dtat, Wat Bang Wang Thong. Luang Phor Thongsuk stayed in Wat Pramoht for 4 rainy seasons then stayed in Wat Keaw in Ratchburi for 2 rainy seasons before leaving for tudong for 1 rainy season. After his tudong, he wandered to the old district of Ampher Cha Am where at that time, Wat Tanodluang was deserted. To help the villagers and himself to build merits, he stayed in Wat Tanodluang at the request of the villagers and accepted the title of abbot and help rebuild the temple at the age of 38 years old.
Luang Phor Thongsuk was very keen to restore the temple to its former glory and also at the same time, helped to restore other temples and even built schools for the people through the help and compassion of donors. He was also invited to teach the poor village children and his role as a teacher benefitted many people greatly.
Luang Phor Thongsuk was often invited to Wat Prai Yop to bless amulets for distribution so as to raise funds for building schools and for temple restorations. Luang Phor Thongsuk’s physical appearance was plump and loved to amuse people with his jokes. On one occasion after a consecration ceremony in B.E.2498, he said out to the congregation when it was turn to speak, “Do not ever believe in me, I am crazy!”. The whole congregation broke out in laughter at Luang Phor’s humour and they respected his humility and humble nature.
Luang Phor Thongsuk was very knowledgable in many practices and besides being a traditional doctor, he was very well-versed in the art of alchemy and Saiyasat (magic). His magical abilities were so famous and widespread that many people visited him for his help, even people from the Royal Palace and high-ranking senior officials seeked him for his blessings and help. Once, he was invited by a top General of the army to attend a consecration ceremony in Wat Ratchborphit together and was the VIP together with 17 other famous monks. The amulets included a Waen Mongkhun Gao and Phra Kring, which was distributed to the army before they were to fight in the Indochine War and those attended were blessed by Luang Phor Thongsuk with lustral water and Buddhist incantations. Luang Phor Thongsuk was also one of the important guru monks to attend the B.E.2500 Buddha Sattawas great consecration ceremony.
Some of the amulets and practices of Luang Phor Thongsuk were:
- Sakyant above the chest around the body for Kongkrapan Chatri so that knives and bullets will not penetrate the body.
- Look Om which prevents the gun from firing.
- Rian of Luang Phor Thongsuk for Kongkrapan that has a sealing wax behind to protect the wearer and his group from being bitten by poisonous animals.
- Waen which protects the wearer from venemous snakes and fierce animals.
- Thakrud covered with herbs and lacquered for Kongkrapan and Kleaw Klaad which was distributed to children due to the small size