Phuket profile recounts Luang Pho Cham’s role in Wat Chalong history

A historical profile published on 9 September 2026 describes Luang Pho Cham of Wat Chalong as a prominent religious figure in Phuket during the reign of King Rama V.

The account links his reputation to a period when Phuket’s tin-mining industry was expanding rapidly and mine owners brought large numbers of Chinese labourers to the island. It says debt, poverty and inequality contributed to the formation of two major Chinese secret societies, known as ang-yi, followed by attacks on local communities.

According to the profile, rumours that an armed group planned to attack Wat Chalong prompted villagers to urge Luang Pho Cham to flee. He refused, saying: “I was born and raised here and have become the abbot of Wat Chalong. I will not flee anywhere; I will die here.”

The account says he prepared holy water and distributed phrachiat cloth talismans to villagers who chose to remain at the temple. Residents and disciples then gathered at Wat Chalong and used the wall of the ordination hall as a defensive position. The first attack was reportedly repelled. Later, after the leader of the secret society offered a reward of 1,000 coins for Luang Pho Cham’s head, larger groups returned to the temple.

The profile says the final assault continued until midday, when the attackers stopped to eat rice porridge. Villagers then launched an encircling attack, forcing the group to retreat. The account says the secret societies did not return to Wat Chalong afterwards.

The article also recounts devotional stories about Luang Pho Cham, including a fisherman’s prayer for a storm to subside and local worshippers’ practice of placing gold leaf on his shin and walking stick. It says Luang Pho Cham generally allowed the practice, although he removed the gold leaf from his leg because it caused itching.

The profile further recounts a visit by Prince Damrong Rajanubhab, who asked to place gold leaf on Luang Pho Cham. The monk allowed him to do so on his chest, rather than on his shin like other villagers. The article attributes to Prince Damrong the view that Luang Pho Cham’s knowledge, abilities and reputed miracles justified describing him as an “extraordinary man” in the history of Thai religion and the nation.

The profile says King Chulalongkorn, or Rama V, later granted Luang Pho Cham the ecclesiastical title พระครูวิสุทธิวงศาจารย์ญาณมุนี and appointed him Sangkha Pamok of Phuket, citing his reported contribution to protecting the island from the Chinese secret societies and his widespread reputation for holiness.