March 2026
It was with great sadness that we bid farewell to Than Guy at the end of his three year visa. He has returned to Chiang Mai at the request of his parents who are not too well at the moment, and he hopes very much that he will be able to return to Runcorn.
Than Nop and Than Got are managing well with everyone’s support. The Abbot of our parent temple, Luang Por Sopano and Than Thirasak have been in the beautiful Kingdom of Bhutan recently. Wat Phra Singh, Chiang Mai has a close connection with this wonderful country, and the King of Bhutan regularly visits our parent temple. On their return to Chiang Mai they will commence their applications for the 10 year visitors visas. If they are approved we will then start to make arrangements for the first opening ceremony for the new hall which we hope can take place on the occasion of our Anniversary on Sunday 28 June. We will confirm this once the visas are granted.
With the rising costs for the new hall due primarily to the unexpected ground conditions across the temple car park, we had to find some additional funding and approached Triodos Bank once again for their help. They had helped us back in 2012 when we purchased the temple, and we have a strong working relationship with them. We received approval for a loan of £100,000 payable over 15 years with a monthly repayment of just under £1,000. We accepted this, and the funds, less their charges, were received on 20 March. Together with some additional funding through the Town Deal we can now complete the hall and the additional workscopes including the Gate Pillars for the Yakh statues, the Sima Stone chambers, the Ceremonial Gateway and store, and the final resurfacing of the temple car park. As previously, it will be our intention to repay the Triodos Loan as soon as we are able.
The hall is practically complete, with the bespoke front doors being fitted in early April. Than Thirasak has been busy working with the designers and agreeing the detailing of the Chao Fah and roof decorations for the new hall, and they look stunning. More on this as they move into the manufacturing stages.
We will be celebrating Songkran, Thai and Lao New Year, at the temple on Sunday 12 April. and we hope very much that you will be able to join us. Whilst the ceremonies will be held in the existing temple shrine room we will open the doors to the new hall for everyone to get their first look inside – we hope you like it
Thanks to everyone for all your support. As always, please let us know if you have any comments or suggestions,
With Metta (loving kindness)
