History of Ayutthaya - Temples & Ruins

WAT CHUMPHON 2 (วัดชุมพล)

Wat Chumphon or the Monastery of Concentration of Troops was situated off the
city island in the northern area of Ayutthaya in Hua Ro sub-district. The brick mound is
located on the west bank of the new Lopburi River. Khlong Daeng, a canal linking the
old and the new Lopburi River, ran on its northern side. Wat Si Fan was located in the
south.

The mound which contains some old bricks and traces of Buddha images is positioned
next to an electrical tower and a Ficus Religiosa or Bodhi tree.

Monasteries bearing the same name were found in the northwest (Wat Chumphon 1 -
Wat Tum area), southeast (Wat Chumphon 3 - Suan Phlu area) and south (Wat
Chumphon 4 - Pak Kran area).

Historical data about the monastery and its construction is unknown, but the name of the
monastery, situated close to an area called Phaniat, lets presume that it was once a
concentration area for troops prior to go into battle.

In the Royal Chronicles of Ayutthaya we find an indication that indeed armies have been
readied in its vicinity.

In 894, a year of the dragon, fourth of the decade, King Cakkraphat, hearing
reports that the government of Hongsawadi was at peace, ordered that an army of
fifty thousand be readied at Phaniat and that a naval force be conscripted from
among the cities of the south. He appointed Phraya Yao to be the
commander-in-chief and Phra Si Chodük to be the commander of the vanguard. [1]

The site is only indicated on a Fine Arts Department map drafted in 1993. Wat
Chumphon was located in Geo Coord: 14° 22' 28.90" N - 100° 34' 20.94" E.

References:

[1] The Royal Chronicles of Ayutthaya - Richard D. Cushman (2006) - page 29 /
Source: Phan Canthanumat, British Museum, Reverend Phonnarat, Phra
Cakkraphatdiphong & Royal Autograph - War With Lawæk, 1551.