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Ko Pha-ngan - TourismThailand.org

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developing the area as a religious center, which<br />

today has become Wat Pa Saengdham, which is a<br />

Dhammayut temple focusing on strict Dharma practices.<br />

This forest temple is, therefore, suitable for those<br />

seeking tourism for peace or for Dharma study.<br />

Leaving Wat Pa Saengtham temple, we journey<br />

into the village of Ban Maduea Wan, one of the three<br />

indigenous communities in <strong>Ko</strong> <strong>Pha</strong>-<strong>ngan</strong>. The other<br />

two are Ban Tai and Ban Luk Ban Kao villages, situated<br />

deep into the land near Samai Khongkha Temple,<br />

locally known as Wat Bon. It is interesting that these<br />

communities are in a distance from the strand.<br />

Assumably, it is because people in the past led a<br />

reclusive life, eking out a living on crop-farming and<br />

growing coconuts. Indeed, there are a number of<br />

coconut plantations existing in the area, and related<br />

domestic industrial products, such as dried coconuts,<br />

have been supplied to factories to make coconut oil.<br />

The manufacturing process uses traditional wisdom.<br />

Visitors can stop by neighborhood that runs dried<br />

coconut production behind Maduea Wan school.<br />

Over and above that, in Ban Maduea Wan village<br />

lives an attractive ninety-three year old house. House<br />

number 45, 3, Ban Maduea Wan village, <strong>Ko</strong> <strong>Pha</strong>-<strong>ngan</strong><br />

sub-district, belongs to Mr. Prapas Maduea-wan, a local<br />

savant in <strong>Pha</strong>-<strong>ngan</strong> traditional knowledge.<br />

Mathura Wararam Temple, widely known as<br />

Wat Maduea Wan, a respectable monastery, has<br />

enshrined a stunning white jade Buddha image, called<br />

in Thai language “Phra Sila Yuang” sheltered in a mondop<br />

at the hilltop. The image was made in Mandalay,<br />

Myanmar, of crystalline white jade. It portrays a sitting<br />

position of the Lord Buddha with left hand turned up,<br />

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