Wat Takrai

Wat Takrai is a restored ruin located off the city island in the northern area of Ayutthaya, in the Khlong Sra Bua Sub-district. The temple ruins are located west of Khlong Sra Bua and north of Wat Na Phra Men. In the vicinity, there are many old temples, such as Wat Hatsadawat, Wat Khok Phraya, Wat Choeng Tha, Wat Phai Lom and Wat Kamphaeng.

The monastery was situated in Thung Khwan. Thung Khwan, or "Field of Fumes", was an area north of the city of Ayutthaya bordered on the north by Thung Lum Phli, on the east by Khlong Sra Bua and Thung Kaeo, in the south by the old Lopburi River and in the west by Thung Phukhao Thong. This area was likely related to crematory services.

The substantial site consists of an ordination hall, a vihara with a large chedi, ponds, a prang, and several minor chedis. The ordination hall is a rectangular building, 16 metres long on 12 metres wide. There were two entries in the front and two in the back. The pedestal for the Buddha's image stood west, indicating the statue was looking to the east. The assembly or sermon hall is a classic rectangular structure 26 metres long and 12 metres wide. The building has porches in the front and the back. There are three entries in the front. Also, here the main Buddha image faces east as the pedestal stands in the west.

The large principal chedi is bell-shaped and stands on an octagonal base. Between the spire (chatra) and the throne (harmika) is a kind of niche with stucco Buddha images, indicative of the use of the Sukhothai style in the reign of King Borommaracha II (1424-1448 CE) and Borommatrailokanat (1448-1463 CE).

Ayutthaya Historical Research