History of Ayutthaya - Temples & Ruins - Wat Klang Khlong Takhian

WAT KLANG KHLONG TAKHIAN (วัดกลางคลองตะเคียน)

Wat Klang Khlong Takhian or the Monastery in the Middle of Takhian Canal is
an active temple located off the city island in the southern area of Ayutthaya in Pak Kran
Sub-district. The monastery also know as Wat Klang Pak Kran, is situated at the
confluence of the Chao Phraya River and Khlong Takhian (1), on the west bank of the
latter. The St Joseph Church and the ancient Cochin Chinese Settlement lies just
opposite the other bank of the canal. The old Wat Klang is situated to its west, opposite
the road. Wat Nak lies just south of Wat Klang. Opposite the Chao Phraya River is Wat
Wang Chai.

In situ we find the classic monastic structures. The monastery is quite large, but dates
from the post Ayutthaya period. The ordination hall was built in the Late Ayutthaya style
(1629-1767 AD). The hall has two elevated porches with each two entries and the
two-tiered roof is supported by four columns. The longest walls of ubosot have five
windows each. The hall is surrounded by an inner wall or crystal wall (Th: Kamphaeng
Kaeo) demarcating the sacred area.

Historical data about the monastery and its construction are unknown. The site is not
indicated on Phraya Boran Rachathanin's map drafted in 1926. This could be an
indication that this monastery was constructed after 1926 as a substitute for the old Wat
Klang.

Near Wat Klang and Wat Nak was one of the five former ferry crossings across the
Chao Phraya River, linking the monasteries with Tha Wang Chai (Wang Chai landing).
(2) [1]

Wat Klang Khlong Takhian is located in geographical coordinates: 14° 20' 16.1" N,
100° 32' 51.3" E (14.337808, 100.547577).

Footnotes:

(1) Also called Khu Lakhon Chai or "Le Canal du Grand Cochon" (Great Cochon
River). A floating market (Khlong Khu Lakhon Chai market) was held at the mouth of
this canal. [2]
(2) In Ayutthayan times there were twenty-two ferry routes between the main land and
the city island. The southern area had six crossings: Hua Sarapha to Wat Phanan
Choeng, Tha Hoi to Wat Pa Jak, Tha Phra Rachawangsan to Wat Khun Phrom, Tha
Dan Chi to Wat Surintharam, Tha Chakrai Noi to Wat Tha Rap and Tha Wang Chai to
Wat Nak. [1] See "The Boat & Ferry Landings of Ayutthaya".

References:

[1] Athibai Phaenthi Phra Nakhon Sri Ayutthaya kap khamwinitjai khong Phraya Boran
Racha Thanin - Explanation of the map of the Capital of Ayutthaya with a ruling of
Phraya Boran Rachathanin - Revised 2nd edition and Geography of the Ayutthaya
Kingdom - Ton Chabab print office - Nonthaburi (2007) - page 91.
[2] Discovering Ayutthaya - Charnvit Kasetsiri & Michael Wright (2007) - page 272.