The Buranathai Buddha Casting Foundry is located in Wisut Kasat Road opposite Sgt. Maj. Thawee Folk Museum. Sgt. Maj. Thawee set up the foundry, the first in Phitsanulok. He had trained as an artisan in his father’s business but applied for a job as a painter in the 3rd Army Section, 3rd Army Region. After a spell drawing maps he joined the Metal Casting Division of Handcuffs part of the Fine Arts Department. Here he learnt the skills he would later put to use at his Buddha casting foundry. In the meantime he produced some excellent quality religious art including statues of King Naresuan the Great for the barracks in Phitsanulok and for the hospital there. He also set up the stone pillar inscribed with the name of King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Queen Sirikit among many other works of art.

Today as it was then the foundry is very much a cottage industry but the quality of religious art produced is really astonishing. A photograph dated 1977 shows a row of cast Buddha images with a lap size of 39 inches destined for various temples in recognition of the danger they had found themselves in during the communist uprising in the 60’s and early 70’s.

At the foundry the process of casting and finishing can clearly be seen with examples in various stages of production from the wax filled moulding, through the preparations for firing to the cleaning, lacquering and polishing of the final product. The foundry has gone to some lengths to recall its relatively short history but without a doubt the examples of the final products covered with gold leaf are stunningly beautiful.