Wat Kuti Thong on the maps
Wat Kuti Thong shows on a 19th-century map by an unknown surveyor. The temple stands on the north bank of the Lopburi River. Wat Mai is west. The Sala Wen landing (5) is situated between the two temples on the river bank.
We find the monastery similarly positioned on Phraya Boran Rachathanin’s map of 1926 CE. Phraya Boran (1871-1936 CE) was the Superintendent Commissioner of Monthon Ayutthaya from 1925 till 1929 CE but occupied important functions since 1896 CE in Monthon Ayutthaya.
Wat Kuti Thong shows on all Fine Arts Department maps. The monastery was registered as a National Historical Site and announced in the Royal Gazette Volume 112, Section 59, on 25 July 1995 CE by the Fine Arts Department.
The site is in geographical coordinates: 14° 21' 44.91" N, 100° 33' 41.93" E.
Footnotes:
(1) Khlong Mueang, or the City Canal, is a stretch of the old Lopburi River on the northern side of Ayutthaya's city island. Many people believe it is a manufactured canal. The Lopburi River descending from the north, ran in the Ayutthaya period around the city and joined the Chao Phraya River near Bang Sai (below Bang Pa-In). Khlong Mueang is a remnant from that time. Today, the canal starts at Hua Ro and has its exit at the confluence with the Chao Phraya River near Hua Laem.
(2) Khlong Pha Lai, or the Canal of the Patterned Cloth, was a canal situated off the city island in the northern area running partly in present Tha Wasukri and Khlong Sra Bua sub-districts. The canal is defunct, but there are still some stretches existing from this canal. Most of the waterway, though, has been filled up. Khlong Pha Lai was a loop of the Sra Bua Canal and had its mouth west of Wat Mai and ran adjacent to Khlong Sra Bua into the old Lopburi River, a stretch of water called today Khlong Mueang.
(3) Tamnan is a term frequently used for documents dealing with the history of Buddhism or particular Buddhist monuments. It came into existence well before the 15th century, and though it began to decline in the 17th century, its influence lasted until the 18th century. Tamnan histories begin at the point when the Gautama Buddha made a vow to reach enlightenment. [Reference: Kasetsiri, Charnvit (1976). The Rise of Ayudhya. Oxford University Press. London.]
(4) A howdah is a transport platform fitted with a railing and sometimes a canopy positioned on the back of an elephant. The platform was used to carry people and goods or in hunting and warfare. The elephant carriage was also a symbol of wealth and, as a result, often decorated with precious metals and gems.
(5) This boat landing was near the Sala Trawen or Patrol Pavilion, the middle one of three guard posts to watch the river by the Grand Palace. The landing connected with the Kan Landing, also called Tha Khun Nang or Tha Khoi. It was a regular night-and-day ferry for the officials from the Grand Palace. [5]
References:
[1] Information board in situ - January 2020.
[2] Wyatt, David K. (2003). Thailand, A short history (2nd Ed.). Silkworm Books.
[3] Cushman, Richard D. & Wyatt, David K. (2006). The Royal Chronicles of Ayutthaya. Bangkok: The Siam Society. p. 77.
[4] Pongsripian, Vinai, Dr. (2007). Phanna phumisathan Phra Nakhon Sri Ayutthaya: Ekasan jak Ho Luang. Geographical description of Ayutthaya: Documents from the palace. Bangkok: Usakane.
[5] Baker, Chris (2014). Final Part of the Description of Ayutthaya with Remarks on Defense, Policing, Infrastructure, and Sacred Sites. Journal of the Siam Society, Vol. 102.]