NAKHON SAWAN -- An old Buddhist temple, long abandoned and left to ruin, is being renovated by local people for use as a meditation centre, near Ban Nasan village in tambon Nong Kradon of Muang district.
The temple and grounds occupy about 3 rai of land surrounded by ricefields. The site has two Buddha images, one about 100 years old, and 18 posts made from tree trunks to support a building which has rotted away.
Villagers said the temple was once the religious centre of a big community. It was known as Wat Nong San, and the first abbot was Luang Pho Yod. It was not clear when the temple was established.
Members of the temple community moved away and set up new villages closer to main roads and public utilities, leaving the temple to decay and be overgrown by shubbery.
Truck driver Somchai Charoenpol, 53, launched the campaign for the temple's renovation and use. He said said elderly people said there were once about 30 monks at the temple.
The people of Ban Nasan first organised a tod pa pa ceremony to raise funds.
The first task they have set themselves is the construction of a chapel, which will be followed by other structures for religious use and shelters for monks.