Wat Chai Watthanaram

Wat Chai Watthanaram was built in the 1630s CE by King Prasat Thong, who believed that the Khmer-style prang would reflect Ayutthya’s historical magnificence at the end of a Buddhist millennial year. This temple is unique as it has the only fully symmetrical architectural design in the city. One theory is that Wat Chai Watthanaram was built on the spot of King Prasat Thong’s former home and that it was constructed to make merit for his mother – or possibly his stepmother. Popular folklore suggests King Prasat Thong had a childhood dream in which a golden tower was buried inside an anthill at this location. When the anthill was later excavated, it proved his dream a prophetic revelation. Another theory is that Buddhist monks predicted the destruction of Ayutthaya at the end of the Buddhist millennial year unless enough merit had been accumulated, so King Prasat Thong launched a massive campaign to build and renovate temples across the city. Whatever the reason, the return of the Khmer-style Prang marked a new era of architecture in Ayutthaya.

Like other temples in the West, Wat Chai Watthanaram ultimately felt the brunt of war. The Burmese besieged this monastery in 1767 CE and used it as an army camp while staging attacks on the main island. Excavations revealed evidence of damage by cannon balls. After the war, Wat Chai Watthanaram was abandoned and looted for decades. The Fine Arts Department renovated it between 1987 and 1992 CE. It remains one of the most breathtaking tourist sites today.

Ayutthaya Historical Research