Ayutthaya Temples

Amphoe Muang

Wat Chaiwatthanaram

Wat Chaiwatthanaram Another monastery that is located on the bank of Chao Phraya River, on the west of the city island. King Prasat Thong commanded it built. The great beauty has been reflected from the main stupa and its satellite stupas along the gallery, an architecture influenced by Khmer. Travelling can be made by river form Chankasem Palace. A long-tailed boat service is available at 300-400 baht for a round trip, consuming about one hour.

Wat Kasattrathirat Worawihan

Wat Kasattrathirat Worawihan is the monastery located outside Ko Muang, opposite Chedi phra Si Suriyothai, on the bank of the Chao Phraya River. Its former name was Kasattra or Kasattraram. It is an ancient temple of the Ayutthaya period with a main Prang (stupa) as its centre.

Wat Kudidao

Wat Kudidao Located in front of the railway station to the east, this old monastery has beautiful work with better craftsmanship than many other temples, but it has deteriorated to a high degree.

Wat Lokkayasutha

Wat Lokkayasutha This monastery is over a kilometre behind Wat Suanluangsopsawan adjacent to Wat Worachettharam. Accessible by the road inside the compound of the Distillery Plant, or through the road behind the Phlapphla Trimuk (three-gabled roof pavilion), It is in the area of the Acient Palace passing Wat Woraphot and Wat Worachettharam going to the site of the large reclining Buddha, made of brick and covered with plaster, approximately 29 metres long. Many large hexagonal pillar ruins near the image are believed to be the ruins of the Ubosot.

Wat Na Phramen

Wat Na Phramen The former name of this monastery was Wat Phra Merurachikaram. Located on the bank of Khlong Sabua opposite the grand palace, the date of construction is unknown. The Ubosot design is of very old typical Thai style. The most interesting objects are the principal Buddha image, fully decorated in regal attire, and another image make of black stone in the small Wihan.

Wat Phananchoeng

Wat Phananchoeng This monastery located south of Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya has no record as to its date of construction or the person causing its construction. It existed before Ayutthaya was founded as the capital. The principal image in the Wihan called 'Phrachao Phananchoeng' was built in A.D. 1325 ; it is made of stucco in the attitude of subduing evil ; considered beautiful, it is most revered by the inhabitants of Ayutthaya.

Wat Phra Mahathat

Wat Phra Mahathat Located in front of the Grand Palace to the east near Pa Than Bridge ,it was constructed in the reign of King Borom Rachathirat I.

Wat Phra Si Sanphet

Wat Phra Si Sanphet This important and most outstanding monastery is located in Grand Palace compound like Wat Phra Si Ratanasatsadaram (Wat Phra Kaeo) of Bangkok. Used as a residential palace, it became a monastery in the reign of King Ramathibodi I. When King Borom Trai Lokanat commanded new living quarters built, this residential palace was given to be a temple area, thus originating Wat Phra Si Sanphet : The royal chapel does not have any monks and novice inhabitants.

Wat Phraram

Wat Phraram This monastery was situated outside the grand palace compound to the east. King Ramesuan commanded it built on ground, where the royal cremation ceremony for his father King U - Thong, took place. A big lagoon is in front of this monastery. Its original name was 'Nong Sano', it was changed to be 'Bung Phraram' or currently Phraram Public Park.

Wat Phukhao Thong

Wat Phukhao Thong Located two kilometres northeast of the Grand Palace, this monastery was constructed in the year 1387 during the reign of King Ramesuan.

Wat Phutthaisawan

Wat Phutthaisawan is the monastery situated on the river bank opposite Ko Muang to the south. Travel by car along the route Ayutthaya - Sena to the west of Ko Muang. After passing the bridge in front of Wat Kasattrathirat, turn left to Wat Chaiwattanaram. Follow the direction signs, you will find a left turn to Wat Phutthaisawan. This monastery was built in the area where King U-thong moved to establish his city. The area was first known as Wiang Lek, named after the royal palace of King U-thong. The most interesting part of wat Phutthaisawan is the great principal Buddha image ; its style is of the early Ayutthaya Period.

Wat Ratchaburana

Wat Ratchaburana This monastery was located near Pa Than Bridge opposite Wat Mahathat. King Borom Rachathirat II (Chao Sam Phraya) commanded two pagodas built on the ground where Chao Ai and Chao Yi engaged in single hand combat from elephant's back, and both were killed. Later, he established a Wihan combined with the pagodas and upgraded it to be monastery.

Wat Samanakot

Wat Samanakot Located near Wat Kudidao, it was renovated by Chao Phraya Kosa (Lek) and Phraya Kosa (Pan) during the reign of King Narai the Great. The main attraction is a large Prang having an unusual outlook different from the others. It is believed to imitate the design of Chedi Chet Yot of Chiang Mai.

Wat Senasanaram

Wat Senasanaram This ancient monastery named 'Wat Sua' is behind Chankasem Palace. The main attractions are two Buddha images : Phra Samphuttha Muni, the principal image enshrined in the Ubosot, and Phra In Plaeng enshrined in the Wihan ; both were transferred from Vientiane.

Wat Suwandaram Ratchaworawihan

Wat Suwandaram Ratchaworawihan is the monastery within the royal compound, located to the southwest on the edge of Pom Phet, an ancient fort. First, it was called 'Wat Thong'. Established in the Ayutthaya period, the monastery was extended and restored several times during the reigns of the Chakri kings. The mural paintings on the upper part of the inside wall of the Ubosot depict the gathering of the deities, and on the lower part, the jataka stories of Wetsandon, Temi, and Suwannasam are described.

The front wall shows a picture of the Buddha subduing evil. Within the Vihara, there is a picture of the bravery of King Naresuan the Great, which is a masterpiece of several copies found in many places.

Wat Yai Chaimongkhon or Wat Chao Phraya Thai

Wat Yai Chaimongkhon or Wat Chao Phraya Thai This monastery constructed in the reign of King U-Thong is located outside the city to the southeast in the same direction as the railway station ; one can see its large pagodas from far away. King Naresuan the Great commanded the pagoda built to celebrate the victory of his single-handed combat on the elephant's back. He also aimed at a huge construction to match the large pagoda of Wat Phukhao Thong, and named it 'Phra Chedi Chaiyamongkhon'.

Wihan Phramongkhon Bophit Phra Mongkhon Bophit

Wihan Phramongkhon Bophit Phra Mongkhon Bophit, a large bronze cast Buddha image was originally enshrined outside the Grand Palace to the east. King Songtham commanded it to be transferred to the west, where it is currently enshrined and covered with a Mondop. Later in the reign of Phra Chao Sua, the top of the Mondop was burnt down by a fire due to a thunderbolt. Then, the King commanded a new building be built in the form of a big sanctuary (Maha Wihan) to cover the image in lieu of the former Mondop. During the second fall of Ayutthaya, the building and the image were badly destroyed by fire, the one currently seen was renovated but does not have as beautiful craftsmanship as the previous ones. The open area east of the Sanctuary (Wihan) was formerly Sanam Luang, where the royal cremation ceremonies took place (This prectice is now held at Sanam Luang, the Phramain Ground of Bangkok).

Amphoe Bang Pa-In

Wat Chumphon Nikayaram

This is the monastery located in the front area of Kho Muang, opposite to the train station. It was founded in 1632, by King Prasatthong's command and restored during the reign of King Rama IV.

Wat Niwet Thamprawat

This is the monastery located to the south of an island in the Chao Phraya River, on the river bank opposite the royal palace. In 1878, King Rama V ordered its construction to have the same architectural style of a Western cathedral.

The building and its decorations are of Gothic style and beautified with colorful stained glass. The base; where the principal image of Buddha and his followers were placed, was designed to resemble the one for the Cross in a Christian church, not a traditional Chukkachi base as seen in general. The window blocks were especially made for curved windows. On the Ubosot wall in front of the principal Buddha image, there is a picture of King Rama V created with stained glass. Situated to the right of the Ubosot is Ho Phra Khanthararat, a shrine where Phra Khanthararat - a Buddha image in the posture of requesting rain, is put for worship.

Amphoe Bang Pahan

Wat Kai

Constructed during the Ayutthaya Period and deserted after the fall of this Kingdom. Wat Kai was restored in 1782 by a Buddhist Monk. In 1787, it was granted full status as a monastery. Wat Kai Chae has been home for a flock of Bantams, Kai Chae in Thai, and this is how the monastery derived its name. Apart from the Bantams ,the monastery has also been home for wild monkeys known as Puanom Monkeys because of the Crest-like hair on their heads. The monkeys are very gentle, Tame, and friendly to visitors.

Wat Tan En

Wat Tan En is believed to have been constructed at least 400 years ago. Although no evidence has been discovered to indicate the exact period of its construction, and also its builder, some remains of the monastery at test to old age. The name "TAN EN" a Thai word for a reclining palm tree, derives from the fact that there are many sugar palm trees growing at Thai place some of them in a reclining direction with an upright top. Due to the tranquil natural surroundings of the monastery. Wat Tan En also provides a home and breeding ground for many kinds of birds as well as flying foxes, and has been declared a wildlife sanctuary since 14 April,1996.