Wat Mahathat 2559

1. Historical Origin and Significance

Phra Pangkhan—often identified as the Srivijaya-style closed-eyes Buddha—holds a specific place in the spiritual heritage of Nakhon Si Thammarat. Known as a guardian image associated with ancient Srivijaya belief, it was revived during the construction of the city pillar in the late 20th century after the spirit-deity Jatukam Ramathep instructed its recreation.

The original revival followed a series of documented ritual events involving:

• The City Pillar Committee

• Major General Khun Phantharakratchadet

• Governor Kamchorn Sathirakul

• The author of the City Pillar records

• Consecrations at Khun Phanom and ceremonial rites at sea

This revival established Phra Pangkhan as a protector of the city, a stabilizing image intended to support the community during times of crisis and transition.

The 2559 batch draws directly from this lineage, maintaining the iconography, mantras, and ritual associations inherited from the City Pillar reconstruction.

2. Commissioning of the 2559 Batch

The 2559 Phra Pangkhan was commissioned jointly by:

• The Nakhon Si Thammarat City Pillar Shrine

• Wat Mahathat Woramahawihan

This placed the batch within the recognized institutional and spiritual authority of both the civic guardian shrine and one of the province’s most important temples. The aim was to produce a version:

• faithful to the original Srivijaya-style front design

• complemented by the multi-Rahu and central astrological wheel on the back

• accessible to the general public at a reasonable cost

Because the City Pillar heritage emphasizes broad public participation—rather than exclusivity—the 2559 release was priced affordably and produced in a format suitable for community-wide distribution.

3. Craft and Structure of the Amulet

The 2559 piece follows the classical portrayal:

Front

• Phra Pangkhan seated in the closed-eyes posture

• Srivijaya-style coils, pillars, and symbolic naga elements

• Structured borders referencing early city-pillar motifs

Back

• Eight Rahu heads arranged around a central astral wheel

• Symbolic representation of planetary oversight, destiny cycles, and protective alignment

• Relief style consistent with the older City Pillar designs of the 2530s–2540s

The batch was commonly framed in silver, as the combination allowed the gold-tone relief to stand out clearly while providing durability for everyday wear.

4. Social Reception and Local Usage

The 2559 batch became widely adopted among local residents, especially:

• small-business owners

• merchants around Tha Rua, Pak Phanang, and main Nakhon markets

• individuals involved in sponsoring City Pillar activities

Because the batch was affordable, many sponsors chose to distribute them among staff and family members. Over time, several businessmen reported better stability and improved revenue during the years following the batch’s release, reinforcing its reputation inside the province.

This reflects the traditional belief that Phra Pangkhan strengthens resilience, protects from disruption, and supports livelihood during economic or societal transition.

5. Astrological Timing and Current Relevance (2025–2026 Transition)

The year 2025 marks the crossing into the new zodiac era, with planetary and lunar movements shifting into a cycle that is traditionally interpreted as favourable for:

• city-guardian images

• Rahu-structured astrological objects

• Srivijaya-lineage protective pieces

As lunar influence realigns during the 2025–2026 period, pieces associated with Rahu, planetary wheels, and city-pillar guardianship are considered to resonate more fully with the new cycle. Within this interpretation, the 2559 Phra Pangkhan is expected to display stronger efficacy due to:

• its multi-Rahu back

• its ancestral connection to the City Pillar rites

• its function as a stabilizer across zodiac changes

This period is regarded as a meaningful time to obtain and begin wearing such pieces, particularly while examples remain affordable and already housed in clean, well-crafted silver frames.

6. Educational Summary

The 2559 Phra Pangkhan from the City Pillar Shrine and Wat Mahathat is:

• a continuation of the Srivijaya revival lineage

• rooted in documented ritual history from the late 20th century

• created for broad public access and civic spiritual support

• respected locally for its protective and stabilizing qualities

• aligned with the current 2025–2026 zodiac shift, which enhances its symbolic relevance

For collectors, practitioners, or those connected to Nakhon Si Thammarat, this batch represents a well-structured, historically consistent entry into the City Pillar tradition—remaining accessible in price while preserving strong cultural and ritual foundations.