The overwhelming popularity of Jatukam Ramathep amulets has literally shaken the Mahathat Voramahavihara Temple's sacred pagoda. Local people Tuesday complained that the pagoda was apparently leaning as a result of impacts from many trucks that headed to the temple each day.
These trucks carried Jatukham Ramathep amulets into the royal monastery's compound for a consecration ritual. The centuries-old pagoda houses Buddha relics.
"We have to do something before further damage is done," Somchoke Boonwisut, a native of Nakhon Si Thammarat, said Tuesday.
A group of local people was now planning to petition to Nakhon Si Thammarat Governor Wichom Thongsong for actions that could prevent the pagoda from leaning further.
Banjong Wongwichien, director of a local fine-arts office, said he was now preparing to urgently ask the Fine Arts Department to dispatch experts to examine the pagoda. "But for the time being, everything must depend on the temple's abbot," he said.
Deputy Nakhon Si Thammarat Governor Somsak Khamtaweeprom also said he would have to discuss the issue with Phra Ratchathamsuthee, abbot of Mahathat Voramahavihara Temple, before any action could be taken.
Surrounded by revenue officials, the abbot was yesterday busy clarifying about the temple's income from producing the Jatukam Ramathep amulets.
Nakhon Si Thammarat police chief Maj General Sudjai Yannarat praised local people's effort to protect the pagoda.
"Such effort is good," he said.
Sudjai said he would dispatch more police officers to provide security and convenience at the temple. He said most trucks sneaked into the temple at around 3 am and 4 am before traffic police officers were present at the temple.
Provincial public-works chief Chaiyapat Siriprasert said it would be easy to determine whether the pagoda was really leaning.
However, he said his office was now very busy and suggested that an academic institute should step in to help.
Krissana Jutisawaeng
The Nation
Nakhon Si Thammarat
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