The prang in situ dates from the late Ayutthaya period (1629-1767 CE). The base of the prang is higher than the body. There are about 15 small bell-shaped chedis with an octagonal base positioned north and south of the principal chedi. There are also two square ablution ponds made of brick in a north-south alignment, typical for this monastery.
The monastic complex is surrounded by an outer wall, delimitating the monastic area. The wall measures 58 metres by 35 metres and has two gates, one on the east and one on the south.
The temple's former grounds were extensive, stretching down to Khlong Sra Bua, creating a large courtyard needed for cremation ceremonies. Wat Takrai, located just north of Wat Na Phra Men, the crematory temple of the Grand Palace, was thus probably also a crematory temple.
The monastery is mentioned in the ancient Ayutthaya poem Khun Chang Khun Phaen (the story of Khun Phaen, Khun Chang, and the fair Nang Wanthong) as the place where Wanthong was cremated after being executed by royal order and where Khun Chang and Phra Wai (her son with Khun Phaen) took their vows temporarily.
“Saithong, who had been like her elder sister, recovered her senses and got up. She thought of Wanthong forlornly, and tears splashed down in torrents. She took leave of Siprajan and went to board a boat, missing her terribly. She arrived at the capital and went straight to the house of Khun Phaen. She went into his room and asked, ‘Where’s Wanthong’s body?’ Khun Phaen said, ‘Buried at Wat Takrai.’ He had someone take her there. Saithong descended from the ruean in tears. She pushed herself along in a daze. At the graveyard, her sobbing worsened and she collapsed down in a sad heap.” [1]
“Khun Chang got the robes and had his head shaved. Holding the robes with his hands in wai, he went in, opened his mouth, rolled his eyes and cried ‘uka.’ Then he trembled with nerves and mumbled. He got everything mixed up, and could not remember. ‘Please tell it to me, Luangta Nu. I’ve never “uka” before. Please help.’ He raised the triple robe to hide his face, and followed the recitation. He put on the robes, rolled the upper one on his shoulder, took the precepts, and came out. He stayed in the kuti at Wat Takrai for three nights, then disrobed and went to Suphan. After Wanthong’s cremation was over, Phra Wai joyfully went to stay in the monkhood for seven days. After disrobing he went to attend on the king.” [1]