Wat Sing
Wat Sing is located on the western bank of the Chao Phraya River in Pathum Thani’s Sam Khok district. The historical temple was presumably built in the Ayutthaya period under King Narai’s reign. A group of ethnic Mons was believed to have begun migrating into the temple’s surrounding areas in the late Ayutthaya period and continued to dwell until the early Rattanakosin era. After settling down in the location, the Mon immigrants determined to renovate the temple giving it a Mon-influenced appearance that can be seen in the present day.
Several historical antiques, for instance, a sacred earthen vihara, holy statues of Luang Phor Toh and Luang Phor Phet, a grinning and frowning Buddha image, an ancient kiln and a mortuary urn of Phraya Krai can be found inside the temple. Also, Wat Sing has enshrined ancient ruins that possess cultural and historical value for archaeological studies.
The mortuary urn of Phraya Krai, located in front of the temple’s sacred earthen vihara, contains the ashes of Phraya Krai, a holy Mon monk who migrated from Mottama town in Burma two hundred years ago. Additionally, the mortuary urn was built under the influence of Thai-Mon design and decoration, with ornamental stucco motifs and intricate glass work. This truly reflects his great holiness of being a Buddhist monk, remarkably entwining the embodiment of respect and faith of people in those days.
he ancient kiln is placed on the opposite side of the temple. In the old days, Sam Khok was renowned for its reputed pottery village, which can currently be seen from the ruins of the ancient kiln. Obviously, this ancient kiln was built of bricks, with an imitation of an overturned boat shape, comprising of a chimney designed to facilitate the emission of heat. Pottery crafts of reddish brown color were developed based on Mon people’s wisdom as they basically focused on their household uses. For a long period of time, Sam Khok-based earthen water jar has become the most successful pottery product evolved by people in the community.