Chaiwatthanaram Temple: An Ayutthaya Heritage Site That Tells More Than History

By Contributing Writer

photo by Contributing Writer

On a bright Saturday morning, we set off early for Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal, formerly known as Bang Sue Grand Station. Our destination was Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, a historic city that once served as the capital of Thailand before the fall of Ayutthaya during the second Burmese invasion on April 7, 1767 — 258 years ago. We arrived at the station at 7:00 AM, purchased our train tickets, and departed from Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal, heading straight to Ayutthaya Railway Station, where we arrived at approximately 9:41 AM — the final stop for our journey today.

As soon as we reached the station, we hired a motorcycle taxi to take us to Chaiwatthanaram Temple, the main focus of our story today. It took about 30 minutes to travel from Ayutthaya Railway Station to Wat Chaiwatthanaram. Upon first seeing it, we were amazed by its architecture and couldn’t help but wonder how magnificent it must have looked when the Ayutthaya Kingdom was at its peak. This curiosity led us to research the history and background of   Chaiwatthanaram Temple from reliable sources to share with our readers.

Photo by Contributing Writer

History of  Chaiwatthanaram Temple

Chaiwatthanaram Temple is an ancient temple from the late Ayutthaya period, located in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province, specifically in Ban Pom Subdistrict, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya District, on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River, outside the Ayutthaya Island. It is one of the important sites of Ayutthaya.

The temple was built in 1630 by King Prasat Thong. It is believed that the location was originally the residence of his mother, who had passed away before King Prasat Thong ascended the throne. The temple was constructed both to dedicate merit to his mother and possibly to commemorate a military victory over Cambodia, as the architectural style was partially inspired by Angkor Wat.

Built in 1630, King Prasat Thong ordered its construction on his former family land as a royal merit-making dedication to his mother. Before the fall of Ayutthaya in 1767, the temple was converted into a military post. After the city's destruction, the temple was left abandoned for many years. Treasure hunters looted the site, decapitating Buddha statues, dismantling bricks from the ordination hall, and selling them. In 1987, the Fine Arts Department undertook a restoration project, completing it in 1992.

Photo by Contributing Writer

Chaiwatthanaram  Temple was also the burial site of  Prince Thammathibet (Prince Kung), a renowned poet of the late Ayutthaya period, and Princess Sangwan, both of whom were sentenced to death by flogging during King Borommakot's reign.

The main prang (Khmer-style pagoda) stands on a square base, with four smaller prangs positioned at the corners. During King Prasat Thong’s reign, he revived the architectural style of early Ayutthaya by building large central prangs similar to those found at Wat Mahathat and Wat Ratchaburana.

There is a cloister surrounding the central prang that houses over 100 ancient stucco Buddha images in the Maravijaya (subduing Mara) posture. The walls of the cloister are built with brick and stucco and decorated with lotus-shaped balustrades.

The ordination hall, located in front of the temple, houses the ruins of a principal Buddha image in the Maravijaya posture, made of sandstone and dressed in imperial attire. The boundary markers (bai sema) around the ordination hall are greenish stone with intricate floral carvings. In front of the ordination hall stand two chedis (pagodas) with a twelve-cornered base, each measuring 12 meters wide and 12 meters tall — a style that became widespread during King Prasat Thong’s reign.

Chaiwatthanaram  Temple was declared a national historic site in 1935 and has been continuously preserved by the Fine Arts Department. It remains a grand and magnificent site, much like in the past.

Photo by Contributing Writer

The Highlights of  Chaiwatthanaram Temple

The most striking feature is the Phra Prang Si Rattana Mahathat, the principal prang located at the center of the temple complex. It is a square-based prang with four  prangs at each corner. The top features a lotus-bud finial and has seven-tiered moldings resembling the early Ayutthaya period's style.

Another highlight is the cloister corridor (Rabieng Khot) that connects eight surrounding chedis around the principal prang. The cloister houses over 100 ancient Buddha images in the Maravijaya posture. Sadly, most of their heads have been looted.

Other notable features include the ordination hall, stucco reliefs, and intricate architectural details throughout the temple complex. Today, Chaiwatthanaram Temple  is part of the Ayutthaya Historical Park, which was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991.

Visitors are welcome daily, with ticket sales open from 08:00–17:00 hrs (temple grounds remain open until 18:00 hrs).Admission:

• Thai adults: 10 Baht

• Students: Free

• Foreigners: 50 Baht

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Additionally, there are several shops nearby offering affordable traditional Thai costumes for rent. You can rent a complete outfit with hair styling and makeup services — perfect for capturing special moments with friends, family, or your loved ones at this beautiful heritage site.