Who was Phra Somdej Toh Buddhacharn Phomarangsi ?

Phra Somdej Toh was born in 17 April 1788 in Kamphaeng Phet Province, possibly the son of King Rama I. He studied the Buddhist scriptures of the Pāli Canon with several Buddhist masters. After becoming a well-known monk, he became the preceptor for Prince Mongkut, later King Rama IV, when Mongkut became a monk. During Rama IV’s reign Somdej Toh was given the ceremonial name Phra Buddhacharn Toh Phomarangsi.

He was noted for the skill of his preaching and his use of Thai poetry to reflect the beauty of Buddhism, and for making amulets call “Somdej”, the most famous Thai amulets. The amulets were blessed by himself and other respected monks in Thailand and his holy amulets are very powerful and highly sourced by amulet collectors from all over the world. He died on 22 June 1872 at the age of 85.

According to the legendary story of Nang Nak, Mae Nak died during childbirth while her husband was serving the army but her love for her husband was everlasting. The husband discovered the truth one day and abandoned her and seeking refuge in the temple. She viciously took revenge on the villagers who revealed her secret and her spirit was finally tamed and subdued by Phra Luang Phor Toh. The story was made into a famous Thai ghost movie,Nang Nak some years ago.