I would like to share some photos of Wat Phrathat Doi Kong Mu, taken in September 2008.
As the name “Doi” suggests (meaning a mountain or hill), this temple is located on a small hill. It has a Burmese-style design, and its chedis and the surrounding lion statues give it a different atmosphere from the Thai temples I usually see.
When I visited, there were no other tourists or worshippers, so I was able to spend enough time thinking about my memories.
I have a special feeling toward this temple, and I would like to write a little about it, even though it is only my personal story.
My first trip to Mae Hong Son was around 1990, and at that time I arrived there by bus from Mae Sariang. The road was full of sharp curves, and the bus shook strongly from side to side many times. After arriving in Mae Hong Son, I realized that I had lost my wallet during the ride.
Right after arriving, I had to run around the town trying to get my wallet back. During that time, the owner of a small restaurant (which became a bar at night) and her staff helped me a lot, and because of that, they became very friendly to me during my stay.
On my last night, I went to say goodbye to them. I told them that I had tried to walk to Wat Phrathat Doi Kong Mu earlier that day but gave up because of the heat. Then the owner said that after work she would ask her cook to take me there by motorbike, and told me to wait until closing time. At first, I hesitated, but the cook himself came out and kindly insisted that I should go. So I accepted their offer.
Around 1 a.m., the cook, his younger brother, and I rode together on a motorbike up the dark mountain road, which was the only road at that time. That was how I visited this temple for the first time.
April in Mae Hong Son is extremely hot, but the temple at night was cool and comfortable. I remember hearing the sound of small bells somewhere in the distance, which made the atmosphere feel even cooler.
Unfortunately, the memo with their address was stolen together with my wallet in Bangkok, so I lost contact with them. However, their kindness left a strong impression on me.
The cook explained many things to me at Wat Phrathat Doi Kong Mu, and each time he asked, “It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” Actually, it was so dark that I couldn’t tell where the sound of the small bells was coming from, and I couldn’t see very well what he was explaining. But I still clearly remember his gentle expression when he said that.
