Luang Pu Toh Intasuwanno (หลวงปู่โต๊ะ อินฺทสุวณฺโณ, 1887–1981) was abbot of Wat Pradu Chimphli (วัดประดู่ฉิมพลี) in Bangkok for nearly 68 years, and one of the most respected Bangkok monks of the 20th century. He is best known for his Phra Pidta, the "closed-eyes" Buddha who covers his face with his hands, especially the Jumbo batch of BE 2520 (1977) and the Plod Nee ("debt release") series of BE 2521–2523 (1978–1980). He is not the same person as Luang Phor Thuad of southern Thailand, a confusion explained below.
Who was Luang Pu Toh?
According to the Thai Wikipedia biography, he was born in 1887 in Samut Songkhram province. Orphaned young, he was sent to Wat Pradu Chimphli, became a novice there in 1904 at 17, and received full ordination in 1907 at 20. He studied meditation and traditional Thai knowledge under several teachers, including Luang Pho Rung of Wat Ta Krabue, Luang Pho Nong of Wat Khlong Madan and Luang Pho Chum of Wat Rajsittharam, with whom he practised insight meditation.
In 1913, aged 26, he became abbot of Wat Pradu Chimphli and remained so for the rest of his life. He rose through the ecclesiastical ranks, receiving the royal title Phra Ratchasangwaraphimon (พระราชสังวราภิมณฑ์) in 1978. He died on 5 March 1981, aged 93. King Bhumibol had his body moved to Wat Benchamabophit and granted a royal cremation.
Key facts
- Thai name: หลวงปู่โต๊ะ อินฺทสุวณฺโณ; title พระราชสังวราภิมณฑ์
- Life: 27 March 1887 – 5 March 1981
- Temple: Wat Pradu Chimphli, Bangkok Yai district, Bangkok (abbot from 1913)
- Known for: Phra Pidta amulets, plus portrait coins and statuettes
- Amulet period: according to Thai trade sources, the amulets he consecrated himself date from around 1975 onward
Luang Pu Toh is not Luang Phor Thuad
The two names look and sound alike in transliteration, and sellers mix them up. They are different monks:
| Luang Pu Toh | Luang Phor Thuad |
|---|
| Thai | หลวงปู่โต๊ะ | หลวงปู่ทวด |
| Era | 1887–1981, a documented modern monk | A legendary monk said to date from the Ayutthaya period |
| Temple | Wat Pradu Chimphli, Bangkok | Wat Chang Hai, Pattani, and other southern temples |
| Signature amulet | Phra Pidta | His own image, famed for protection |
For the southern monk, see Luang Phor Thuad amulets. When reading a listing, look for โต๊ะ and วัดประดู่ฉิมพลี.
The main Phra Pidta batches
The Pidta covers his face to "close the nine gates" of the senses, and Thais wear it to hold on to wealth and turn danger aside; see the Phra Pidta guide. Thai trade sources list these main Luang Pu Toh batches:
- Maha Saneh (พิมพ์มหาเสน่ห์), BE 2518 / 1975: reportedly his earliest Pidta, small, with his name and temple on the back.
- Jumbo 1 (จัมโบ้ 1), BE 2520 / 1977: made for his 90th birthday, the largest and most sought-after batch, now traded in the millions of baht.
- Ngoen Lan (พิมพ์เงินล้าน), BE 2521 / 1978: said to be named after the one million baht raised for temple restoration.
- The three-retreat series, BE 2521–2523 / 1978–1980: reportedly consecrated over three consecutive rains retreats (ไตรมาส), his longest consecration. It includes several moulds:
- Jumbo 2 (จัมโบ้ 2): the largest mould of the series, with the Sukittima yantra (ยันต์สุกิตติมา) on the back.
- Plod Nee (รุ่นปลดหนี้): named after his habitual blessing when handing out amulets, "may you be free of debt". Backs carry either the Na Maha Setthi or the triangle yantra.
- Small yantra (ยันต์ดวงเล็ก): similar to Jumbo 2 but smaller.
The main materials are palm-leaf scripture powder (เนื้อผงใบลาน, dark to black), flower-pollen powder (เนื้อผงเกสร) and incense-ash powder (เนื้อผงธูป). Production figures differ between sources, so we do not quote them.
What collectors wear them for
- Holding on to money and clearing debts: the Plod Nee name says it all; it is popular with business owners.
- Protection: the traditional use of any Pidta.
- Goodwill: the Maha Saneh mould leans this way.
These are devotional beliefs, and no amulet guarantees an outcome. Outside Thailand his Pidta are widely collected in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Malaysia and mainland China.
Buying a Luang Pu Toh Pidta
- Know the batch and mould. Jumbo 1, Plod Nee and Jumbo 2 sit at very different prices, and within a batch the palm-leaf, pollen and incense powders differ too. The batch named on the certificate is the reliable reference.
- Insist on a certificate. His Pidta are among the most faked Thai amulets. Buy only with a Thai Buddha Image Admiration Association certificate that can be checked online; see how to spot fake Thai amulets.
- Check the back. Genuine pieces usually carry หลวงปู่โต๊ะ and วัดประดู่ฉิมพลี in crisp lettering.
- Case it. These are 40-plus-year-old powder amulets; a waterproof case protects them.
Luang Pu Toh pieces in our collection
We currently have five, each authenticated by the Thai Buddha Image Admiration Association:
- Jumbo 2 large mould, black palm-leaf powder, Sukittima back: certificate barcode GJ09-C8FD3.
- Jumbo 2 large mould, incense-ash powder, Sukittima back: certificate PM07002.
- Plod Nee, triangle-yantra back, palm-leaf powder: certificate PM07004, which names the batch.
- Plod Nee Pidta, black powder: authenticated as No. 07003; the batch name is per the supplier.
- BE 2517 sema portrait coin for his 88th birthday, copper: authenticated as No. 11002, an accessible entry point.
FAQ
Q: Is Luang Pu Toh the same as Luang Phor Thuad?
A: No. Luang Pu Toh (หลวงปู่โต๊ะ) was a Bangkok abbot who lived from 1887 to 1981 and is known for the Pidta. Luang Phor Thuad (หลวงปู่ทวด) is a legendary southern monk known for protective amulets.
Q: Which batch is the best?
A: The BE 2520 Jumbo 1 commands the highest prices, followed by Plod Nee and Jumbo 2. Choose a certified piece with a clearly named batch that fits your budget.
Q: Will a Plod Nee Pidta clear my debts?
A: "Plod nee" is the batch name, taken from Luang Pu Toh's blessing. Devotees wear it hoping for financial ease, but an amulet is not a financial plan and guarantees nothing.
Q: Can non-Buddhists wear one?
A: Yes, with ordinary respect. See can non-Buddhists wear Thai amulets.
Last updated: 2026-10-31 | By the Merit Messenger team, based in Bangkok
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