Khlong Tong Nuea

On our family road trip back from Hatyai, we stopped by one of the many temples along the way. This one was called the Klongtong Nuea Buddhist Monastery, located about 20km from the Thai city. Getting there was quite a detour from the main highway linking Hatyai to Saddao but the place was easily accessible through a long straight road. Shady trees lined both sides of the road and provided a most picturesque scene. 

Most of the structures in this Buddhist monastery were built during the 28-year tenure from 1982 till 2010 of a Thai Buddhist monk named JaRun Boon Yo.  At the side of the monastery complex was a statue on a tiger, which no doubt was dedicated to him. Apart from this brief information, there was nothing more I could obtain from anyone, not even the local Thai tour guide who accompanied us. 

We didn't manage to get into the main worship hall as the grounds were deserted in the afternoon - anyone could move in and out freely but not into the locked buildings - but anyhow, there were enough attractions on the outside to interest me. Apart from the huge seated Buddha that took central pride of place in this monastery, several other smaller statues of the Buddha in various meditative poses adorned the grounds. But what intrigued me most were the statues of the Laughing Buddha and Lord Ganesha.