Wat Khunaram

Mummified Monk of Koh Samui

Name

Wat Khunaram

Date

Unknown, mummified monks since 1973

Location

West of Hua Thanon on Route 4169
Koh Samui

Just a few kilometers away from Koh Samui’s second most popular beach lies one of Koh Samui’s most remarkable temples, the Wat Khunaram. This temple has become famous for the mummified monk that is kept on display here.

Mummified monk Loung Pordaeng

On display in an upright glass casket and surrounded by flowers, candles, incense sticks and fruit offerings is the body of Koh Samui’s most famous monk, Loung Pordaeng.

For many Westerners this might be an uncomfortable or even disturbing sight, for Thai people the body of the monk is there to be worshiped and death is seen as an opportunity to be reborn in a next and better life.

The mummified body of Loung Pordaeng is kept in a glass casket in a temple building in Wat Khunaram temple, which was specially built for this purpose.

The life of Loung Pordaeng

Loung Pordaeng was born in 1894 in Koh Samui. When he was around 20 years old, he ordained as a monk, like it is customary for young boys in Thailand. After spending a period of time as a monk he disrobed, got married and started a family.

Upon reaching the age of 50 when his children had grown up, Loung Pordaeng decided to return to the temple and dedicate the rest of his life to Buddhism. He was given the name Phra Kru Samathakittikhun upon returning to the temple.

After spending some time in Bangkok where he studied meditation techniques and Buddhist scriptures, he returned to Koh Samui and spend some time in a cave meditating. After that, he returned to Wat Khunaram temple, where he became the abbot.

Giant statue of Guanyin at Wat Plai Laem

The mummified body of a monk at Wat Khunaram in Koh Samui

Koh Samui Custom Sightseeing Tour with Private Guide

Wat Plai Laem
Big Buddha at Wat Phra Yai
Lad Koh Viewpoint
Hin Lad Waterfall
Mummified monk at Wat Khunaram
Beaches like Thong Krut, Bang Po, Chaweng & Silver Beach
Customizable to interests and desires
Private guide and vehicle with driver
Duration 4 to 8 hours

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Loung Pordaeng’s meditation skills

Loung Pordaeng excelled in meditation skills, was an excellent teacher and had many followers. When he reached the age of 79, Loung Pordaeng is said to have predicted his own death.

He instructed his followers that if his body would decay, he wanted to be cremated.

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If the body would not decompose however, he wanted his body to be kept in a glass casket in the temple to serve as an inspiration for future generations to follow the teachings of the Buddha.

It is believed that the last week of Loung Pordaeng’s life, he did not eat, drink or speak to anyone while meditating. Finally, he died in 1973 at the age of 79 while meditating.

Learn how to meditate
If you are interested in learning meditation in a meditation retreat or temple, read meditation retreats in Thailand.

Why did Loung Pordaeng’s body not decompose?

Usually, a body would decompose very quickly in a hot and humid climate, such as that of Koh Samui. Today however, almost 40 years after his death, the body of the famous monk is remarkably well kept.

A miracle to some, others believe that small intake of food and low metabolism caused by reduced need for oxygen because of Loung Pordaeng’s meditation technique might be the explanation for the body staying so well preserved.

Because the eyeballs have dried out which is an unpretty sight, the mummified body is now wearing sunglasses.

Active temple

Although the Wat Khunaram is not one of Thailand’s most beautiful or impressive temples, it is well worth a visit because of the remarkable mummified monk. This is an active temple, local Buddhist people come here to make merit and pray. Several items, like Buddhist amulets can be bought here.