History of Ayutthaya - Temples & Ruins

WAT THA KHLONG 1 (วัดท่าขลอง)

Wat Tha Khlong is an active monastery located northwest of the main island. It is
situated along a countryside road near Wat Tum. Although the structures look modern
(Ratanakosin period), Buddhist monks at this site suggest that it existed during the
Ayutthaya period. The ubosot is full of Buddha images, and some are believed to be of
considerable age. There are also the remains of various sema stones near the main
sermon hall.

A moat was once built around Wat Tha Khlong, and most of it can still be seen. This
monastery also has several modern statues of elephants on site. This is common to
temples in this area, since many battles were fought against the Burmese that involved
elephants.

Addendum

Wat Tha Khlong or the Monastery of the Harbour of the Herd of Elephants is
located off the city island in Wat Tum Sub-district in the northwestern area of Ayutthaya.
It is an active temple used by the Buddhist clergy. Locals stated that this temple was not
used by the Buddhist Sangkha before and stood empty (likely since the fall of Ayutthaya
in 1767).

In the period 1960-1970, bricks of the monastic structures were gathered and
transported with trucks to an unknown destination. For a truck load of bricks, 20 Baht
was received at that time.

The temple and surrounding area stood on high ground. During the flood season, animals
found a temporary home in this area.

During the Ayutthayan era this place was a concentration area for elephants, hence the
many elephant images visible at the temple and the name of the latter. In earlier times, the
temple ground was surrounded by a large moat probably as a natural barrier to keep the
elephants on site. Opposite the temple were large brick ovens, but the whole area has
been flattened by bulldozer and became bushy afterwards. There are no more traces of
old monastic structures in situ.

Wat Tha Khlong is located in geographical coordinates: 14° 23' 5.11" N, 100° 32'
29.82" E.