Wat Chedi Ai Khai: Nakhon Si Thammarat's Famous Wish-Granting Temple
Wat Chedi in Sichon, Nakhon Si Thammarat, home of Ai Khai, draws people from all over Thailand to ask for luck and success, believing that what you ask for, you will receive.
Meeting Point Management Team
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Quick answer
Wat Chedi is at 103 Moo 7, Chalong, Sichon, Nakhon Si Thammarat. Ai Khai is a carved wooden figure of a boy of about 9–10, believed to be the spirit of a disciple of Luang Pu Thuat who guards the temple. People ask him for luck and give thanks with plaster roosters, soldier uniforms, slingshots, toys and firecrackers. Open 08:00–17:00.
Key takeaways
- Ai Khai is a carved wooden figure of a boy about 9–10 years old in the Wat Chedi pavilion, Sichon
- Legend says he is the spirit of a disciple of Luang Pu Thuat, left to guard treasures here
- To make a wish: light 3 incense sticks, recite Namo 3 times, then pray (avoid Buddhist holy days)
- To give thanks: light 1 incense stick and state what came true and what you are offering (avoid holy days)
- Favourite offerings: red soda, soldier and police uniforms, Chinese pastries, plaster roosters, slingshots, toys and firecrackers
Contents
Most people have surely heard of this famous temple: Wat Chedi, home of Ai Khai. It is especially popular before lottery draws, when everyone goes to pray for luck. Let's go.
Mention Ai Khai of Wat Chedi these days and almost everyone knows the name. Driven by its popularity and strong faith, crowds pour in to ask for blessings, good fortune or success in whatever they wish for, believing that their wishes will come true.
Whenever the lottery draw approaches, many people agonise over which lucky numbers to buy and whose luck to follow. These days, thanks to the strong faith of people from all over the country, the name Ai Khai of Wat Chedi in Nakhon Si Thammarat comes up again and again right before draw day.
Ask and you shall receive
Ai Khai of Wat Chedi is a carved wooden figure of a boy aged around 9–10, in the pavilion of Wat Chedi, Moo 7, Chalong, Sichon district, Nakhon Si Thammarat. Locals believe Ai Khai is a sacred spirit that dwells at the temple, and they worship him in the belief that what you ask for, you will receive. Devotees who ask for luck or success in business and see their wish come true return to give thanks with offerings. Today Wat Chedi is revered by Thai people nationwide, and by visitors from neighbouring countries, making it a must-visit place.
Why does everyone come to pray to Ai Khai?
Wat Chedi is a famous temple in Sichon, Nakhon Si Thammarat, best known for Ai Khai, a temple boy who is said to have vanished without a trace. Visitors make vows to Ai Khai, asking for something they wish for, and many believe he can make it happen. With so many devotees reporting that their wishes came true, more and more people keep coming.
The legend of Ai Khai
Wat Chedi is in Moo 7, Chalong subdistrict, Sichon. According to a legend passed down through generations, the site of today's temple was once where Luang Pu Thuat, the famous southern monk, stopped and set up his umbrella tent during a wandering pilgrimage. Ai Khai is believed to be the spirit of a boy of about 9–10 who was Luang Pu Thuat's disciple. When Luang Pu Thuat arrived, he found many treasures and important religious sites here, so he had Ai Khai stay to guard them. Since then, the spirit has protected the treasures of the land and remained at this temple. Because people believe that what you ask for, you will receive, many come to pray to Ai Khai, or Ta Khai, for blessings and luck, and they often give thanks with rooster figures, soldier uniforms, slingshots and toys.
Offerings Ai Khai loves
Most devotees come to make a vow for luck and success, and when their wish comes true they return to give thanks. Offerings vary widely: superhero figures (because Ai Khai is a little boy), children's toys, camouflage soldier uniforms, sweet syrups, red soda, soft drinks and boiled eggs, plus firecrackers, which you can hear all along the way into the temple.
Tips for praying to Ai Khai
If you want your wish to come true, follow these tips:
- To make a wish or vow: light 3 incense sticks and recite Namo three times. Then calm your mind and pray for what you want. (It is advised not to make vows on Buddhist holy days.)
- To fulfil a vow: light 1 incense stick and say softly that your wish has come true and that you have come to give thanks, asking Ta Khai to accept your offerings. Name what you have brought, for example a rooster, an elephant or a car, and declare that your promise is now fulfilled and the vow is complete from this moment on. (It is advised not to do this on Buddhist holy days.)
- For offerings that are not fulfilling a vow: light 3 incense sticks and recite Namo three times. (Best done on Buddhist holy days.)
His favourite offerings are red soda, soldier uniforms, police uniforms, Chinese pastries (khanom pia), plaster roosters, slingshots, toys and firecrackers.
Besides praying to Ai Khai, the temple has an ordination hall with Buddha images where you can pay respect. Around Wat Chedi there are food and drink stalls so you can eat before heading home. It has everything: paying respect, making merit, asking for blessings and tasty food before you leave.
Finally, we wish every devotee success in whatever they hope for.
Visitor information
Wat Chedi (Ai Khai)
Address: 103 Moo 7, Chalong, Sichon, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80120
Map: Google Maps
Phone: 083 649 7750
Opening hours: 08:00–17:00
Facebook: Wat Chedi (Ai Khai)
FAQ
Where is Wat Chedi (Ai Khai)?
At 103 Moo 7, Chalong, Sichon, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80120. Phone 083 649 7750.
What are the temple's opening hours?
According to the article, 08:00–17:00.
How do I make a wish to Ai Khai?
Light 3 incense sticks, recite Namo three times, calm your mind and make your wish. It is advised not to make vows on Buddhist holy days.
How do I give thanks when a wish comes true?
Light 1 incense stick, quietly say that your wish came true, name the offerings you brought and declare the vow fulfilled. Avoid doing this on Buddhist holy days.
What offerings does Ai Khai like?
Red soda, soldier and police uniforms, Chinese pastries, plaster roosters, slingshots, toys and firecrackers.
The Meeting Point management team loves eating, travelling, temple visits and lifestyle. We pick the restaurants, cafes, stays, attractions and temples we have visited ourselves and write about them honestly.
