Noh Na Paknam
Noh Na Paknam was a prolific writer, art historian, and preservationist who worked closely with Silpakorn University and the Fine Arts Department, and who wrote extensively on Thai temples, antiques, and murals. From November 1966 to March 1967 CE, he spent five months in the Ayutthaya area, visiting known temples and ruins. He visited Wat Khrut on 2 February 1967 CE. The following is a report from his site visit.
“Wat Krut is located not far from Wat Klang, at the end of the road and adjacent to Khlong Sa Bua canal on the west side. Inside the main chapel are several large, white sandstone Buddha heads and a beautiful terracotta pagoda-shaped finial placed beside the chapel. The boundary markers (sema) have an unusual shape, with a tapering waist and a crown-like finial topped with two circles on either side of the base, and a pedestal underneath. Its origin is unclear. The octagonal, bell-shaped stupa resembles the one in front of the main chapel at Wat Sri Pho, believed to be from the reign of King Borommakot. The archways at the front and back of the chapel are in the old style. There are still many antique items for study here. The pulpit at Wat Krut features exquisitely carved wood, believed to be the work of craftsmen from the late Ayutthaya period. Most of the carvings remain, but some have been vandalised, with the naga heads and decorative panels removed. The lion's legs at the base are also missing. It is made with three Naga heads, exceptionally beautiful. It is a pity that it is left to be seen by antique dealers and will surely disappear. It is appropriate for the government to request it as a national treasure and put it in the museum as soon as possible. It is difficult to talk about this matter because the museum officials do not see its value, as they do not have an artistic eye like us. On the contrary, we see it as the most valuable thing. We feel sorry in our hearts that such a good and beautiful thing, a treasure of our country, is being neglected to this extent. In the end, it will all be lost and destroyed because those in charge of this matter lack knowledge and do not see its importance at all. Therefore, it remains and survives, escaping the eyes of antique dealers and being displayed for all to see today.”
“The octagonal pagoda at Wat Krut, Wat Sri Pho in Khlong Sra Bua, is of the same style and size as the copper pagoda at Wat Maheyong, and is also located in front of the ordination hall. Later, similar octagonal pagodas were found at Wat Bang Pho in Bangkok, situated in front of the former, now-abandoned ordination hall, and at Wat Rong Chang in Ratchaburi, beside the ordination hall. As previously mentioned, this style of pagoda originated during the reign of King Thaisra at Wat Maheyong, while those at Wat Krut and Wat Sri Pho date back to the reign of King Borommakot. This clearly demonstrates that the popularity of this style continued until the time of King Borommakot.”
“Regarding the pulpit at Wat Krut, I visited it several times afterwards and found it to be an early Ayutthaya piece. However, the temple later disassembled it and stored the pieces in the abbot's quarters. Its fate remains unknown, as it was many years ago when I last saw it.”
Wat Khruttharam is at geographical coordinates: 14° 22' 38.54" N, 100° 33' 29.16" E.
There is also a brick mound of a temple called Wat Khrut in Tha Wasukri Sub-district in a locality called Thung Khwan.
