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Published on July 4, 2007

Locals yesterday complained the pagoda had developed a lean as a result of vehicles arriving at the temple each day with the amulets.

Lorries and pickup vehicles deliver the amulets to the monastery's compound, where they are blessed in consecration rituals. The centuries-old pagoda houses Buddha relics.

"We have to do something before further damage is done," Somchoke Boonwisut, a Nakhon Si Thammarat resident, said yesterday.

Residents will ask provincial governor Wichom Thongsong to take action to halt damage to the pagoda.

Local Fine Arts Department director Banjong Wongwichien said experts were on the way to examine the pagoda. "But, for the time being, everything depends on the temple abbot," he said.

Nakhon Si Thammarat deputy governor Somsak Khamtaweeprom will have talks with abbot Phra Ratchathamsuthee ahead of any action at provincial level.

Revenue officials wanting to know how much the temple was making from the amulets yesterday visited the abbot.

Provincial police chief Maj-General Sudjai Yannarat praised residents' efforts to protect the pagoda. Officers have been sent to the temple for security.

Sudjai said many vehicles "sneak into the temple at around 3am and 4am before traffic officers are present".

Provincial public works chief Chaiyapat Siriprasert said it would be easy to determine if the pagoda was leaning but added his department was too busy to check and suggested an academic institute should help.

Krissana Jutisawaeng

The Nation

NAKHON SI THAMMARAT