Wat Lanka School

Lacation: Moo 3, Tambon Khok Kram amphur Bagplamg, Suphan Buri

Occupant: Wat Lanka School

Year established: 1930

Wat Lanka School is established by the Elementary Education Act. It was previously named “Khaow Hong School” opened in September 10^th, 1922. Later, the name has been changed to Pracha Tambol Khaow Hong School (Lanka Withayasap), Pracha Tumbol Khok Kram 3 (Lanka Withayasap), Wat Lankaa School (Lanka Withayasap), and lastly Wat Lanka School respectively.

At the beginning, the class took place at Wat Lanka sermon hall. In 1930, Phra Kru Piphat Suttakun (Somboon), Lanka temple’s abbot, and Luang Amnuay Silpasart, the provincial education supervisor, managed to build a school for theologians called “Nak Dharm School”, by using money that was left of Phra Kru Piphat suttakun (Thong), who had passed away. The construction of the school finished, Thai Study School (Nang Sue Thai School) then moved to use the place. As the old building ruined badly, it was demolished and replaced with a new building, where all the theologians moved back to in exchange.

In 1955, the school had not enough places to students that increased every year. So it requested money from the Government together with the public funds to enlarge the school building by adding more 16 meters length and one more entrance porch (totally two porches). After the enlargement, the entire building has 40 meters length and 8 meters width.

Today Wat Lanka School is located in the area of Tambon Khok Kram Administration Organization. The teaching is open from the first kindergarten level to the sixth primary level, under the Supan Buri Elementary Education Office Area I. Mister Preecha Sirisomboonwech is now the director.

Dharma Chamber at Wat Pa Puay

Location: 158 Moo 3, Tumbon Ban Hong, Aumphur Ban Hong, Lumphun

Architect (s)/Designer (s): Pho Nanpang Perakaoew

Occupant: Wat Pa Puay

Year established: 1902

Wat Pa Puay is an old temple in the Baan Hong district. It was built in 1887. Before its construction, the area was full of Lythraceae trees (Mai Puay), which was a good location for a temple. Villagers then helped to clean up the area and built the temple. Wat Pa Puay received Prarachtan Wisugcamsima in 1974.

The Dharma or Tripitaka Chamber of Wat Pa Puay was built in 1902 by Phra Maha and his student. The chamber was designed by Pho Nanpang Perakaown. It is a golden teak wood chamber with a raised basement, and a path to walk around the chamber upstairs. The interior of the chamber is used to keep the Buddhist scriptures. This chamber has two entrance doors in the front and back. The wooden tympanum has flowers and plant details carved into it together with a Chinese mirror decoration. Buddhist scriptures are kept inside the chamber like the chadok (the story of the penultimate life of Buddha), and other dharma information. In the past, Lanna people recorded the scriptures in their own native characters, so the text was considered sacred. Thus, they deserved to be respected and honored for worship and kept in high places separate from other buildings.