Wat Racha Phruek, or the Monastery of the Golden Shower Tree, (1) is a defunct temple located on Ayutthaya's city island outside the Historical Park in Hua Ro Sub-district.
The monastery was situated on the west bank of Khlong Senasanaram (2), just opposite Wat Senasanaram. To the northwest stood Wat Khun Saen.
Historical data about the monastery and its construction are unknown.
Wat Racha Phruek on the maps:
The temple features on a map drafted in the 19th century by an unknown surveyor. It stood west of a road or path running east of Wat Khun Saen towards Khlong Senasanaram and on the north bank of the latter. Wat Senasanaram was south, Wat Khun Saen north and the Maha Chai Fortress northeast. There is no indication of a stupa.
Wat Racha Phruek also shows 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. The temple, west of Khlong Senasanaram, is not named. Wat Khian and Wat Khun Saen stood northwest, Wat Chang and the Krung Kao District Office north. The old prison was northeast. The last three are defunct.
Wat Racha Phruek was located in approximative geographical coordinates: 14° 21' 52.54" N, 100° 34' 19.75" E.
Footnotes:
(1) Cassia fistula is a flowering plant in the subfamily Caesalpiniaceae of the legume family, Fabaceae. The golden shower tree is the national flower of Thailand the blossoms are commonly referred to as ‘dok khun’ (ดอกคูน).
(2) Khlong Senasanaram is named after the temple Wat Senasanaram as it was dug in the post-Ayutthayan era during the reign of King Rama IV to provide better access to the monastery. The initial name was Khlong Khamin, referring to Wat Khamin on its banks. The canal had its origin on the Front City Canal (Khlong Na Mueang) in the Hua Ro area, just south of Maha Chai Fortress and north of Tha Chang Wang Na or the Elephant landing of the Front Palace. It can be considered as a side-canal from Khlong Pratu Ho Rattanachai.
