Make a wish When the Chinese's New Year approaches people flock to temples or shrines to ask for prosperity and happiness. High on their list are Wat Jeenpracha Samosorn in Chachoengsao and the shrine of Chao Pho Khaoyai on Ko Si Chang off Si Racha district, Chon Buri. Both temples can be visited in a day. Wat Jeenpracha Samosorn in Muang district houses the largest statue of the Chinese God of Fortune, said an old man who oversees the temple built during the reign of King Rama V by the first abbot of Leng Nei Yee, alias Wat Mangkorn Kamalawat, in the Yaowarat area of Bangkok. The layout and architecture of both temples are quite similar. Wat Jeenpracha opposite Talat Ban Mai is located near a section of the Bang Pakong River that resembles the belly of a dragon, which according to Chinese belief symbolises fortune. Even before the New Year it was packed with visitors and smoke from incense sticks everywhere. There are 27 ports for offering prayers that depict Chinese deities like the Goddess of Mercy, statues of Mahayan saints and century-old papier-mache images of 18 Chinese monks said to have attained enlightenment. Then it's time to offer prayers and ask for prosperity from the God of Fortune. "Take out your wallet, hold it in your right hand and place it under the mouth of the golden coin sack," said an old man guiding the visitors. He was standing beside the image. "Then use your left hand and touch the bottom of the sack and proceed to the mouth. Do it three times and then repeat after me. 'Wish me prosperity, wish me good fortune anywhere I go and wish me happiness'," said the old man. Then they struck the bell three times. It was huge, weighing a ton and a half, and engraved with Chinese mantras. Next stop was Si Racha in Chon Buri 40 kilometres away, and from there to the shrine of Chao Pho Khaoyai on Ko Si Chang. It is popular among entrepreneurs, said Suda Charoenpipatpimpa, 49, herself one of them. The shrine also attracts devotees from Singapore, Malaysia and Taiwan. The legend of the shrine goes back to the days when ships were the main mode of trade and transportation. At the time no one lived in the densely forested northern part of the island. One night a Chinese merchant saw light shining on top of the mountain as his ship neared the island. He traced the light to a cave that houses the Chao Pho Khaoyai shrine to this day. The merchant, a strong believer in miracles and spiritual power, asked the shrine for wealth and success, and was duly blessed. The shrine has been popular ever since. It is guarded by a 63-year-old man and very crowded every New Year and the next 30 days. "Starting this weekend, we will serve visitors free food. People come to pay respect to the shrine and then set off fire crackers to make sure their prayers and wishes are heard," he said, adding that the place is a sea of humanity with standing room only, and hardly any chance for visitors to enjoy the panoramic view from the mountaintop. For a diversion take a tour of the island that was the summer retreat of former monarchs. King Rama V built a summer palace there which is not far from the shrine. He named it Phra Chuthathut Ratchathan Palace after one of his sons who was born on this island. In 1900 the palace was taken apart and reassembled in Bangkok in what today is Vimanmek Palace, but five of the original buildings still remain. Back on mainland Si Racha, we took a detour to Sattahip, 43 kilometres to the east to visit Viharn Sien that showcases 328 items from China, including original life-size terra cotta warriors recovered from the tomb of Qin Shi Huang, the great Chinese emperor. Built by Sa-nga Kulkobkiat, a former vice president of CP group of companies, it sits on seven rai and is a picture of harmony of Thai and Chinese arts and cultures. Exhibits include sculptures of Chinese gods, bronze statues of emperors, as well as 19 kung fu martial art exponents and Shaolin monks. Following the success of this endeavour, Sa-nga built a second Viharn Sien in his hometown of Shantou, China. A third one, the work of his son, is scheduled to open shortly in the southern province of Phangnga. MORE INFO - Chachoengsao is 80 kilometres from Bangkok. Its most popular landmark is Wat Luang Por Sothorn where sits the highly revered Phra Phutthasothon statue - in Muang district - while Wat Jeenpracha Samosorn (038-511-069) is some four kilometres from the temple. Along the road from Wat Luang Por Sothorn to Wat Jeenpracha Samosorn are two Chinese temples: Wat Uphaipathikaram and another dedicated to the Goddess of Mercy. - Ko Sichang in the Gulf of Thailand is 12 kilometres from mainland Si Racha. The island has an area of 7.9 square kilometres. The shrine of Chao Pho Khaoyai sits in a cave atop the highest peak on the island. There are bungalows and resorts for those wishing to spend the night on Ko Sichang which is connected by hourly shuttle boat service from the pier at Ko Loy where there is a large white jade statute of the Goddess of Mercy. The fare is 40 baht per person one way. The service to the island is available 6am to 7pm, and from 8am to 8pm the other way round. For more information, call Sichang Palace (038-216-276/8) and Saeng Pratheep (038-216-116). For travelling around the island visitors can take the 'songthaew' (500 baht/day), tuk-tuks (250 baht/day) or rent motorcycles.
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