Wat Laiso (1) is a ruin of a monastery located off the main island in the northern area of Ayutthaya, in the Khlong Sra Bua Sub-district. The monastery was situated in Thung Kaeo (1) between Khlong Sra Bua (2) and Khlong Pha Lai (3) and on the west bank of the latter. Wat Laiso was separated from Wat Raeng (mound) by Khlong Ban Pla Mo (4).
The remnants of the monastery are found in a remote area covered in heavy vegetation. We visited the site in 2008 and 2009 CE with a small boat via the vegetation-laden Khlong Pha Lai.
Wat Laiso was built on an east-west axis. Given its remote location and ongoing problems with seasonal flooding, it is somewhat surprising to find that several structures have survived.
There is a sizeable bell-shaped chedi in situ, largely eroded. The stucco ‘Luk keao’ on the ‘Malai Thao’ can still be seen. The reliquary chamber itself has been severely damaged, likely from plunder. A large hole has been entirely tunnelled through the chamber, and several holes have been dug to find valuables. The chedi’s harmika and spire are gone, presumably buried by vegetation somewhere nearby.
In front of the chedi in the east was a single wall belonging to a vihara. A large Bodhi tree has grown from the top of the wall downward and covers a significant portion. There is stucco on one side of the wall. The remaining walls have crumbled, leaving a mound of bricks.
There is also a minor chedi on site. The chedi was probably bell-shaped at one point, but erosion over the years has partially changed its shape. It is flat on the top and has lost most of its stucco. Looters have dug a hole into the small chedi as well.
A surprisingly large number of Buddha images are still in situ, some of which are pretty large. Mainly, these Buddha images consist of only the lower portion, which is crossed-legged with chiselled feet and hands still visible. There are also a few mid-portions with robe-covered chests however, no heads were noticed.
The date of the establishment of the monastery and its history are unknown.
Wat Laiso does not show on Praya Boran Rachathanin’s 1926 CE map. The monastery was mentioned for the first time on a 1993 CE Fine Arts Department map.
The monastery is in the geographical location: 14° 22' 2.85" N, 100° 33' 38.76" E.