sku: A674

Phaya Tao (Wealthy Turtle)
LP Pan Thanakaro
Wat Phochai Mongkhon, Nakhon Phanom
Year: BE2562
material: Titanium (rare!).

The Phaya Tao (wealthy turtle) amulet is very popular among the Chinese community because the turtle is associated with longevity and good fortune, representing a long life and continuous prosperity.

“The Deity of Phu Langka Mountain, the City of Phaya Bangbod”

Luang Pu Pan (Phra Phan Sri Thanakaro), resides at Wat Phochai Mongkhon, Na Thom District, Nakhon Phanom Province. He was born in Na Thom, at the foot of Phu Langka Mountain.

He was born during the era of World War I, on Sunday, June 26, 1905 (Year of the Snake, 8th lunar month, 3rd waning day). He was 114 years old when blessing this amulet, with 45 rains retreats (vassa) as a monk. He is the abbot of Wat Phochai Mongkhon.

Early Life

As a child, Luang Pu Pan lived like any ordinary boy. He did not attend formal school but studied at the temple. At about nine years old, World War I broke out. Many of his relatives were conscripted to fight in Laos and Cambodia. At that time, he was still a child, but he still remembers those events clearly even today. Afterward, he continued his studies at the temple and lived as a layperson.

World War II

An important turning point came with World War II. Luang Pu himself was conscripted into military service during that time. Through this experience, he came to study and inherit mystical knowledge from many masters well-versed in invulnerability and sacred arts.

• Born during World War I
• Fought in World War II

Before entering the battlefield, he had to keep strict precepts, wear all white, undergo a ritual bath with sacred 108 herbs, and practice invulnerability training at Wat Tham Phu Khao Khwai (Buffalo Mountain Cave Temple). He also received sacred tattoos covering his back and body. Luang Pu was one of the Thai soldiers who survived World War II, thanks to the power of sacred yantra script and protective rituals.

After the war, he returned to live an ordinary life as a layperson. When he was free from worldly obligations, he turned toward the path of Dhamma.

Ordination and Spiritual Life

At the age of 69, he returned from Laos to Thailand and was ordained at Wat Phochai Mongkhon, Na Thom District, Nakhon Phanom Province. After ordination, he resumed deep study and practice.

He studied with Luang Pu Sitthat of the Samret Lun lineage and also practiced meditation at Phu Khao Khwai Cave. He further trained under several other revered monks, particularly at Phu Langka Mountain, in the mystical city of Bangbod — a legendary hidden realm where many great masters gathered. There, he learned esoteric arts such as the practice of invisibility and concealment in mystical lands.

Later, Luang Pu Pan returned to serve as the abbot of Wat Phochai Mongkhon, Na Thom District, Nakhon Phanom Province.