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[Top] Wat Sri Chum: "Be My Guest" Nearly destroyed by fire 10 years ago, Wat Sri Chum is being revived only because the temple’s abbot cares enough to see it happen. By Aung Zaw/Lampang Surrounded by Banyan trees, Wat Sri Chum is also known as nyaung wine khuang in Burmese (nyaung means Banyan). Built in 1890 by a wealthy merchant named U Yo, Wat Sri Chum is another of Lampang’s Burmese temples shrouded in mystery. The Thai prince, Norananhachai Chawalit gave U Yo permission to build the temple on a site that was believed to have once been the location for an ancient temple. Specialist Burmese craftsmen from Mandalay came to Thailand to help in its construction. Long considered a classic example of Burmese temple architecture, with tiered wooden roofs and delicate carvings on gables, the temple is registered as a national treasure with Thailand’s Department of Fine Arts. Ten years ago, Wat Sri Chum’s outstanding vihara, or prayer hall, caught fire. As a guide book records: "The sad remains of Wat Sri Chum, most of which was tragically razed by fire in January 1992. Little remains of the vihara except for blackened porches over the two flights of steps which lead to the building. Rumor has it that the fire was started by a monk who accidentally set his blanket alight by sleeping too close to an electric fire." There were many rumors about the cause of the fire. One is that after a war of words between the temple’s trustees and the abbot, one of them lit the fire in spite. But with so many different accounts, it seems no one will know the real truth. After the fire, U Pannavamsa, once head of the temple, returned to Burma. He passed in 1995 and after his death a series of acting abbots looked after Wat Sri Chum. The abbots were selected by trustees from the Burmese embassy in Bangkok and the Thai clergy. In the past, many Burmese and Thai people would visit. U Pannavamsa, who lived in Lampang for decades, would preach in Burmese while Burmese born migrants who had settled in Thailand would respond in Thai. Since the fire, Burmese people, Thai officials and local Thai clergy have all shown varying levels of interest in the temple’s restoration. Officials in Rangoon also intervened in the appointment of an abbot. In 1999, a Thai monk, U Sidhijodikarana Sakkanyanoh, also known as Luang Phor Chaleo, was appointed and remains head of the temple today. Now 63, Luang Phor Chaleo was once a successful Thai businessman. "I was a general manager before and I had three wives," he says. Luang Phor Chaleo entered the monkhood ten years ago. Upon entering his prayer room, visitors immediately notice the computer behind his desk. Unlike most Burmese monks who usually receive laymen on the floor, Luang Phor Chaleo relaxes in his decidedly Western chair. He jokes, chuckles and is glad to speak about his temple and his Burmese connection. Luang Phor Chaleo normally surprises foreign visitors with his competence in basic spoken English. He also ran English classes in the temple with a teacher named Alexander Sebastien, originally from Rangoon. Complete with an e-mail address, Luang Phor Chaleo is a monk of the 21st century. With a wry smile and an easy-going manner, Luang Phor Chaleo has plenty to say. Usually poised with a humble sense of patience, the strain in his voice and stress in his face is discernable when he discusses the ruined temple. Restoration after the fire became Luang Phor Chaleo’s responsibility. He says the Thai government has offered 23 million baht to rebuild the temple. "But I still need another 12 million," he says, adding that he needs 50,000 baht each month to run the temple. He has launched an aggressive campaign to raise funds for its revival. He has taken his campaign beyond Lampang. On occasion, he has asked visitors to advertise Wat Sri Chum on their own websites. And now, Luang Phor Chaleo is working a on a Wat Sri Chum website to attract further attention. He also wants to draw more tourists to the temple. He is eager to maintain Wat Sri Chum’s standing as a "Burmese Temple" and believes this has some appeal to visitors. His "Be My Guest" flyer, reads: "Because this Wat Sri Chum temple is a traditional Burmese temple we have many Burmese monks tending to the physical tasks, to make colors and sounds for this real-life Burmese temple." Only a monk with a business background like Luang Phor Chaleo would be able to handle advertising, fundraising and tourism promotion on top of regular callings. Thus, some local Burmese and Thai people say that he is more interested in doing temple "business" than religion. A constant networker and entrepreneur, Luang Phor Chaleo the general manager-turned-abbot approached fruit vendors to set up in front of his temple, "So we get the money from them." Local papers have been critical, arguing that Luang Phor Chaleo has not maintained the front exterior of the temple.