Page 23 - พะงน Eng hi _Neat

sea zone to create habitats for Hoi Klom. Planting of mangroves are also encouraged
among villagers and tourists in order to incite their awareness of natural conservation
and co-existence with nature.
In Wok Tum Bay also stands a century-old reclining coconut tree which has become
the highlight of tourism on the island as it was mentioned in many guidebooks and told
from mouth-to-mouth among foreigners. Some villagers quoted their parents as saying
the tree stood in the reclining position long time ago and must have been nearly 100 years
old. It is amazing how the tree, which bends down nearly to the water, has managed
to resist the wind and monsoons until today. The tree is said to have been photographed
more than one million times. It forms a stunning photo if pictured with a setting sun
and has become a best-known symbol of Ko Pha-ngan. Besides, there is a monument
of Hoi Klom at Hin Kong Beach, built to symbolize the long co-existence of the
crustacean and the people of Pha-ngan.
Inland landscape behind Wok Tum Bay is coconut plantations and villages.
In this area stand three old monasteries, namely Amphawan, Phu Khao Noi and Samai
Khong Kha. Amphawan Monastery was the first to be built by Luang Pho Phet Wachiro,
or Venerable Phra Khru Wibun Thammasan, the most revered Buddhist monk of
Ko Pha-ngan. The monk later built Phu Khao Noi Monastery. He was well-known for
his strict observance of Buddhist teachings. He was ordained at 17 and had stayed
in monkhood since then. He always adhered to ascetic life, ate no meat and took
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religious studies at many monastic centers including those in
Samui, Chaiya and Chetuphon Monastery in Bangkok. As part
of his practices of austerities, he traveled to the jungles in the
North, the Northeast, India and Sri Lanka. In 1887, he returned
to Wok Tum village and had Amphawan and Phu Khao Noi
monasteries built respectively for meditation purpose. At Phu
Khao Noi Monastery today, a square spired pavilion has been
built and named after Luang Pho Phet. One of the rocks in the
monastery also has a footprint believed to belong to Luang
Pho Phet and highly respected by worshippers. Besides, a vihara
has been built to house the statue of the former abbot.
He also ordered the construction of an Ubosot or the main
temple of the monastery and built Phra Khwan Muang as its
main Buddha image. There is also an old pagoda decorated
with ancient dishware which the Fine Arts Department has
registered as important historic spot. Samai Khong Kha Monastery
was the third ‘wat’ to be built on the island by Luang Pho Phet.
Ko Pha-ngan also owns a sacred pond with water said to be
able to cure illnesses and bring good luck if sprinkled on anyone.
A tower of ancient bells is another attraction at this monastery.
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