HISTORY OF AYUTTHAYA

Wat Phichai Songkhram, or the Monastery of War Victory, is a temple still in use by the monastic clergy. It is a classic-built temple with an ordination and sermon hall. While no prang is in situ and the vihara is relatively large, it was likely constructed in the late Ayutthaya period. A copper plate at the monastery indicates that it was built shortly before the final war between Burma and Ayutthaya in 1765 CE. The temple is located outside the city island in the Kramang Sub-district, at the mouth and south bank of Khlong Ban Bat.

Wat Pradu, today renamed Wat Pradu Songtham, is located off the city island in the northeastern part of Ayutthaya, in a part of the city earlier known as Ayothaya. The area of Ayothya was probably already populated at the end of the Dvaravati era (6th to 11th centuries). Wat Pradu stood on the north bank of Khlong Wat Pradu, opposite Wat Rong Tham. Wat Pradu and Wat Rong Tham merged, and the remaining complex was called Wat Pradu Song Tham.

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 (1) was built in 1324 CE, 26 years before King U-Thong founded Ayutthaya. At its origin, the Buddha image stood in the open.

Wat Phraya Tikaram is located off the city island in the eastern part of Ayutthaya, in the Phai Ling Sub-district. The monastery is on the south bank of Khlong Kramang. The canal’s name changes to Khlong Ban Bat as it continues west of Wat Phraya Tikaram to the confluence with Khlong Dusit and ultimately joins the new Pa Sak River beside the city island.

Wat Kluai, or the Banana Monastery, is an active temple located off Ayutthaya's city island in the eastern area, in the Kramang Sub-district. The monastery is situated on the east bank of the Pa Sak River. The temple can be reached by taking road No 3477, parallel with the railway and south of the Pridi-Thamrong Bridge. North of the temple is Wat Phichai Songkhram, and south lies Wat Ko Kaeo.

Wat Ko Kaeo, or the Monastery of the Crystal Island, is an active temple located off the city island in the eastern area of Ayutthaya in the Kramang Sub-district. The monastery is situated on the east bank of the Pa Sak River on an island formed by Khlong Khao San in the north and Khlong Khanom Tan in the south, and confluence at the mouth of Khlong Dusit.