Khlong Maha Nak

The canal dates back from the period of the Burmese-Siamese war of 1563-1564, also called the "White Elephant War". The Burmese King Bayin Naung requested two white elephants from King Chakkraphat (r. 1548-1569), but the latter refused to deliver. Bayin Naung took his army to Siam. The news of the invasion reached Ayutthaya and war preparations were made. Maha Nak was a monk at the Phukhao Thong Monastery. He left the monkhood in order to prepare the defenses north of the capital to counter the upcoming Burmese attack. With his relatives and disciples he erected a stockade from the Phukhao Thong Monastery to Pa Phlu Monastery along the east bank of the Chao Phraya River. Outside the stockade a ditch was dug, hence called Khlong Maha Nak. Parts of this ditch can still be seen on the Phukhao Thong plain.

Ayutthaya Historical Research