WAT PA SAI





Wat Pa Sai, or the Monastery of the Sand Quarter, was situated on Ayutthaya's city island in the southwestern area of the city in the Pratu Chai Sub-district. The monastery stood on the north bank of Khlong Tha Phra (1). The former temple was situated just north of Wat Cho on the opposite side of the canal. In its immediate vicinity were Wat Satdichon and Wat Chang.
Wat Satdichon, Wat Chang and Wat Pa Sai were situated adjacent. A 2007 Fine Arts Department (FAD) map shows the location of the three temples. In my opinion, the structures were part of one single monastery.

On a 19th-century map by an unknown surveyor, we find the indication of Wat Chang in this area. Why Phraya Boran Rachathanin, contrary to the 19th-century map, divided the area into three adjacent temple structures, the reason is not known. PBR also represented Wat Sangkha Thae and Sangkha Tha in the Phra Si Nakharin Park as two different monasteries. Still, in my opinion, they were also part of a single monastery, which could even have included Wat Chedi Yai.

There are no traces of foundations nor brickwork at ground level except those attributed to Wat Chang. I classified Wat Pa Sai as defunct.

The site is mentioned on Phraya Boran Rachathanin's map drafted in 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.

Historical data about the monastery and its construction is unknown.
Wat Pa Sai was in geographical coordinates: 14° 20' 50.04" N, 100° 32' 46.11" E.
Footnotes:
(1) Khlong Tha Phra, also known as Khlong Klaep, is a defunct canal situated on Ayutthaya's city island. Some stretches of this old canal still can be seen on the western side. The canal had its mouth at the old Lopburi River today renamed the Chao Phraya River. Here stood one of the eleven water gates around the island called Pratu Khlong Tha Phra. The canal ended at the confluence with Khlong Chakrai Yai. Beyond this confluence, it continued in an eastern direction as Khlong Pa Mo and joined the Pratu Thep Mi Canal. There is evidence that this canal continued eastwards in a straight line to join Khlong Makham Riang.