Description
Wat Samakkhi Tham (วัดสามัคคีธรรม), or the Fellowship Temple, is one of several temples named Wat Samakkhi Tham in Sakon Nakhon. This particular one is located in the village of Ban Dong Khum Khao in Tambon Phang Khwang. The full name of the temple is Wat Samakkhi Tham Ban Dong Khum Khao (วัดสามัคคีธรรม บ้านดงขุมข้าว).
Wat Samakkhi Tham has some rather curious statues. It is one of the few Sakon Nakhon temples where you can see the mythological Mom creature guarding an Ubosot, along with a pair of 3 headed Naga dragons whose slithering body is held up by Yak giants in miniature.
Moms are mythological creatures that appear more often in temples in Northern Thailand, and are identified by their fat reptilian bodies, combined with animal features such as clawed feet. Wat Phon Ngam is another Sakon Nakhon temple were you can see this creature, but designed in a different fashion.
Wat Samakkhi Tham also has some strange goat-like guardians with antlers. We have never seen such a statue at any other temple in Thailand. Further research hasn't helped us identify the creatures. They could very well be unique creations from the imagination of the Thai artisans who created them.
Visitors will also find a tall gold, Buddha statute, standing on a lotus, with two gold turtles at the base, signifying the enduring wisdom of the Buddha across time, and a unique Buddha statue, seated on a beautifully designed pedestal beneath one of Wat Samakkhi Tham's sacred trees. If you are looking for another temple to visit in this area, we would suggest the forest temple Luang Pu Phu Phan Priest's Camp Site, which is only about 6km away.
