Phra Khun Paen Thewada Song Kun Yai • BE2519
Wat Phrai Phatthana, Sisaket • Khun Paen “Holding Rooster” – Khmer Prasat Clay, BE2519 Blessing
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Front-view composite of Phra Khun Paen Thewada Song Kun Yai BE2519 – Luang Pu Suang’s iconic “Khun Paen holding rooster”.
Historical Significance
Issued in B.E. 2519 (C.E. 1976) at Wat Phrai Phatthana, Sisaket, this Phra Khun Paen Thewada Song Kun Yai is among the earliest and most renowned Khun Paen batches of Luang Pu Suang, the famed “thewada dern din” (deva walking the earth). Created in an era when the Isan border region still carried strong Khmer cultural traces, the amulet reflects a deliberate revival of Khmer prasat–style materials and imagery, tying local folk belief to formal Buddhist devotion.
According to period accounts, the batch was Putthapisek–empowered in B.E. 2519 with a multi-night consecration (3 days and 3 nights), during which Luang Pu Suang repeatedly chanted protective suttas and Khmer mantras over trays of amulets made from sacred castle soil and ritual powders. The resulting series became a hallmark of his work, widely worn by villagers, traders and soldiers along the Thai–Cambodian border.
Detail view – note the thickness, hand-pressed edges and grainy castle-soil structure typical of early LP Suang pieces.
Contextual Insight: The image of Khun Paen cradling a fighting rooster mirrors local memory of Luang Pu Suang often watching cockfights, not for gambling but for observing courage, timing and instinct. In Thai belief, the rooster symbolises hard work, alertness and charismatic presence. Merged with Khun Paen’s archetype of metta and maha saneh, the design encodes an ideal of the brave yet charming household protector: someone who dares to compete, yet wins hearts instead of creating enemies.
Temple of Origin & Master’s Discipline
Wat Phrai Phatthana in Sisaket sits close to the Cambodian border and is deeply tied to Khmer–Isan folk Buddhism. It is known for its connection to Luang Pu Suang, a monk whose life spanned multiple reigns and who became legendary as the “thewada len din” (deva who plays with earth), referring to his habit of handling sacred soil, ash and simple natural materials in his wicha. The temple’s material culture emphasises simplicity, raw clay and ground castle stone over polished metals, reflecting an ascetic, earth-rooted discipline.
The tradition of “din prasat Khom” (Khmer castle soil) – sacred earth gathered from old prasat sites and blended into amulets – guides much of the sacred crafting here. Rather than grand city-style Buddha images, these pieces carry the feel of frontier shrines and village rice fields, aligning perfectly with Luang Pu Suang’s reputation as a wandering ascetic who stayed close to ordinary villagers and their daily struggles.
Close front view – showing bold Khun Paen silhouette, rooster form, and characteristic Khmer clay texture for comparison.
Materials & Craftsmanship
| Material | Primarily Khmer prasat clay – din prasat Khom (castle soil) blended with sacred powders such as burnt palm-leaf scripture ash and, in some variants, black kasin fire powder. Certain sub-batches are soaked in holy water behind a monk’s robe, giving a slightly deeper tone and denser body. [oai_citation:4‡Amulet Focus](https://www.amuletfocus.com/products_detail/view/7113329?utm_source=chatgpt.com) |
| Mold / Pim | Pim Thewada Song Kun Yai – large Khun Paen mold with Khun Paen seated and holding a rooster. The arch mimics a small Khmer prasat doorway; genuine pieces show strong, almost primitive lines and a slightly elongated torso with well-defined rooster wings and comb. |
| Consecration | Blessed by Luang Pu Suang in B.E. 2519 over a major three-day-three-night Putthapisek ceremony. Amulets were placed in front of the master in a raised field hut and later brought into formal temple rites, combining hermit-style wicha with standard monastic chanting cycles. [oai_citation:5‡Amulet Focus](https://www.amuletfocus.com/products_detail/view/7113329?utm_source=chatgpt.com) |
Spiritual Function & Doctrinal Purpose
According to Thai Buddhist and Isan folk belief, this Khun Paen supports a combination of metta mahaniyom (loving-kindness that attracts help), maha saneh (personal charm), maha lap (good fortune) and klaew klaad (evasion of danger). The rooster – kai chon, the fighting cock – is the emblem of courage, tireless effort and competitive advantage, making the amulet especially favoured by people in business, sales, speculative ventures and high-pressure professions.
At a doctrinal level, Khun Paen himself is framed not as a mere “lover hero” but as a symbol of strategic wisdom and fearless compassion: someone who dares to act yet remains anchored in gratitude and loyalty. Worn correctly – with precepts, generosity and mindfulness – this amulet serves as a reminder to cultivate diligence, alertness and warmth towards others, trusting that worldly success will follow right effort.
Rarity & Collector Significance
The BE2519 Khun Paen Thewada Song Kun Yai is widely regarded as an important early LP Suang Khun Paen and is increasingly hard to source in honest, untouched condition. Collectors look for:
• Authentic Khmer prasat clay texture (not smooth pressed powder)
• Correct big-mold proportions of Khun Paen and rooster
• Natural ageing on high points, with soft yet readable features
• Consistency with known field-hut / temple-blessed batches from 2519
Well-preserved examples with strong facial structure and clear rooster detailing are considered collector-grade, and often sit alongside other classic Isan-border masterpieces in serious collections. As interest in Khmer–Thai hybrid amulets and Luang Pu Suang’s legacy grows, this Pim Yai continues to be one of the benchmark pieces for his wicha.
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Disclaimer: The information here supports cultural and academic appreciation of Thai Buddhist material heritage. Details on authentication and provenance aid study and personal appreciation, and are not legal or forensic certification.