Wat Phanan Choeng

Wat Phanan Choeng is situated off Ayutthaya’s city island, in the southeastern area, in the Suan Phlu Sub-district. The monastery is at the confluence of the Chao Phraya and the Pa Sak Rivers.
Phra Phanan Choeng was built in 1324 CE, 26 years before King U-Thong founded Ayutthaya. At its origin, the Buddha image stood in the open.

“In 686 of the Lesser Era, a year of the rat, the image of Lord Buddha, Lord Phanaeng Choeng, was first installed.”

There is no record of its construction, although there is a legend written down in the Phongsawadan Nua or the Northern Chronicles:

“At some time before the Ayutthaya period, there was a Thai king named Phra Chao Sai Namphung requesting the emperor of China’s daughter to be his wife. She travelled from China to this area by boat. When she arrived, the king was not there to greet her. She was heartbroken. She waited for a long time, but the king did not come. Finally, she killed herself by holding her breath. The king was very sad, so he had this temple built at her cremation site to gain merit for her soul, and he named the temple “Wat Phanan Choeng.”

The Buddha image - made of brick and mortar and covered with stucco - sits in the classic posture of Subduing Mara. It measures (approx.) 14 meters at the lap and 19 meters in height, including the ornament above the head. Thai people call it “Luang Pho To” or “Great Reverend Father,” Chinese or Thais of Chinese origin call it “Sam Po Kong.” It is one of the largest, oldest, most beautiful, and most revered Buddha images in Thailand.

Ayutthaya Historical Research