Thailand - Koh Samui - Wat Khunaram

The weirdest 'tourist' attraction you can imagine.

Wat Khunaram houses the 'mummified monk'

Wat Khunaram houses the 'mummified monk'.

Phra Khru Samathakittikhun (Dang Piyasilo) 1894 - 1973

This is the un decomposed remains of Phra Khru Samathakittikhun (Dang Piyasilo) This is the un decomposed remains of Phra Khru Samathakittikhun (Dang Piyasilo) - The venerable ex abbot of Wat Khunaram on Koh Samui. A son of Koh Samui, he enjoyed a prosperous family life until he was 50 years old when he decided to devote the latter part of his life to the monkhood. He was ordained as a monk in 1944 and became renowned for his meditation practice. For about 20 years he had many disciples amongst Buddhist monks and laymen. He was also known for his ability to foresee his own death, which occurred in 1973 when he was 79 years and 8 months old.
After his death his body did not decompose, so his relatives and disciples decided to place his body in an upright position within the casket as he had requested in his will. His body was to be a symbol to inspire future generations to follow the Lord Buddha's teachings and achieve nirvana.