Wat Pak Khlong Makham Thao

Luang Pu Suk Kesaro (Phra Khru Wimon Khunakon) was born in 1847 at Ban Makham Thao to Nai Nuam and Nang Thongdi, the eldest of nine. At about seven he learned Thai and Khmer script at Wat U Thong; he was ordained at about 22 (around 1869) at Wat Pho Thong Lang in Nonthaburi under Luang Pho Choei Chantasiri, then wandered and studied in Bangkok for about 15 years. He came home to care for his mother, restored the abandoned Wat U Thong and built a new temple on the river — today's Wat Pak Khlong Makham Thao, founded around 1889 per the Culture Ministry. Its royal boundary is dated either 13 March 1897 or 1904, and in 1913 he built a mondop; and he became Wat Sing's first district monk-head.

Around 1904–1909 the boat of Admiral Prince Abhakara, Krom Luang Chumphon, stopped at the temple landing. The prince became Luang Pu Suk's disciple, visited almost every year, painted Buddha-life murals in the ordination hall and had a residence built for him at Wang Nang Loeng in Bangkok. Yantra cloths made from the monk's robes became talismans for sailors. Some sources read a wall inscription as 1890, but the prince was only ten then, so 1890 more likely dates the hall or its earliest paintings, with the prince's own panels painted after 1904.

Krom Luang Chumphon died on 19 May 1923, and Luang Pu Suk died on 23 December 1923 at about 16:00, aged 76 (some say 75), and was cremated on a tall pyre after seven days of chanting. Famous amulets include covered-eye images, Somdet images, the tamarind-leaf Naga Buddha, portrait coins and rolled takrut, though Silpa Wattanatham notes the stories mostly concern the prince and don't prove which pieces the monk made himself. Beware sellers claiming authenticity.

The Luang Pu Suk vihara holds his wax likeness and a portrait of him painted by the prince. A museum keeps his walking staff, palm-leaf and khoi-paper manuscripts about 100 years old, photographs and belongings; his old Thai wooden kuti survives, and there is a statue of the prince. On 20 December 2021 two original photographs over 100 years old — the monk with his staff and his 1923 cremation pyre — were returned to the temple. Since 1997 the Royal Thai Navy and Chai Nat province have held a joint kathin here every year; the 2025 kathin was on 1 November, and 2026's is likely late October or early November, not yet announced. The current abbot is Phra Khru Si Chayodom (Aphinan Ariyathammo), who followed Phra Ratchasutthisophon (Prathuan Pabhakaro, abbot 2008–2021).

It is open about 08:00–17:00, though sources differ, so arrive before 16:00; no admission fee is reported. Dress modestly. Every 23 December marks Luang Pu Suk's death (a Wednesday in 2026), and April brings summer novice ordinations and a teacher-veneration ceremony. Holidays and event days are crowded, and the riverside can flood in September–October. Don't confuse it with the Luang Pu Suk Shrine at the foot of Khao Phlong in Chai Nat Bird Park. Wat Song Phi Nong is about 3 km away.