Wat Chai Wattanaram

The central sanctuary of Wat Chai Wattanaram.

 
Standing right on the river, Wat Chai Wattanaram is, in our view, one of the most impressive of the remaining monuments of old Ayutthaya. It was built in 1629 by King Prasat Tong, probably on the site of his mother's cremation. King Prasat Tong was actually a commoner who overthrew the previous king and took the throne. The monastary may well have been established to assert his legitimacy to the throne.

Remains of a Buddha image from the sacked temple.

The solid corn-cob prang sits on an elevated terrace in the middle of a courtyard. Chapels at each of the four corners of the courtyard and at the mid-points of each side are topped by smaller prangs. The outside wall of the courtyard is decorated with pilasters which once simulated turned wooden ballustrades.

Along the inner wall of the courtyard are lines of Buddha images. In some of the corner chapels, you can still see what's left of the crowned Buddhas, as well as the coffered ceiling which still shows signs of fire.

The ubosot once stood in front of the northwest entry, along the river. Climb up the northwest stairway of the prang for an excellent view of the remains of the ubosot as well as the rest of Ayutthaya.

The ubosot sat on a terrace the same height as the terrace supporting the prang. All that remains of the ubosot are its base and a couple of Buddha images where the alter used to be. In the lower terraces on either side of the ubosot are another pair of prangs.

Along the outer wall on the northern sides, you can still see a few tantalizing fragments of the extensive high reliefs which decorated the outside of the cloister.

Photo Gallery

For more pictures of Wat Chai Wattanaram, see our online photo gallery.

Admission Fees

There is a fee of 30 Baht (10 Baht for Thai nationals) to enter the grounds of Wat Chai Wattanaram. The temple is open from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm.