Wat Chai Watthanaram and the Legend of Two Kings

🙏Wat Chai Watthanaram, also known as Wat Teen Tha, Wat Tin, Wat Kosawas, Wat Khlang, or Wat Khoy Tha, was established during the reign of King Ramathibodi I (King U-Thong). The name 'Wat Teen Tha' comes from its function as a ferry crossing to the island city. 'Wat Tin' (Tin means grass) likely originated from the collection of grass for the royal elephants and horses from the time of King Phetracha to King Boromakot. During King Narai's reign, Phraya Kosathibodi (Pan) renovated the temple and renamed it Wat Kosawas. Later, during King Boromakot's reign, it was renovated again and became known as Wat Khlang. The name 'Wat Khoy Tha' is tied to a legend about a wealthy man who built a mansion for his daughter, who eloped with her lover and never returned. The man then donated the mansion to the temple he founded, hence the name. 🙏The temple has a connection with King Taksin; as a young man, he studied with the venerable monk (Maha Thera) Thongdee. After becoming a novice monk at the age of 21, he paid his respects to King Boromakot and spent the Buddhist Lent at this temple. Later, Thong Duang (later King Rama I) also ordained nearby at Wat Mahathat, allowing the two monks to meet frequently. One morning, as they went on their alms round, a Chinese fortune teller predicted that both would become kings, but the monks simply smiled and paid no mind. 🙏Important sites to visit and pay respects at Wat Chai Watthanaram include: 🙏The main prang is an Ayutthaya-style prang from the 22nd Buddhist century with a spire made of bronze resembling a betel nut pod, set on a high square base. 🙏The viharn connects the prang's front to the south, facing the Lopburi River. Inside, it retains its ancient character, with unique thick wooden window shutters decorated with narrative motifs. 🙏The chedis in front of the viharn and ordination hall come in various shapes, including square, round, and bell-shaped chedis with lotus petal flares. The small, ornately decorated chedis are particularly interesting. 🙏The sermon hall, built during the Rattanakosin era around the reign of King Mongkut, features architecture similar to the sermon hall at Wat Kutidao. The floor and roof are made of ceramic tiles, and the walls are adorned with traditional Thai murals by the artist Krua Kae and his team. 🙏The shrine of King Taksin, as this temple is where he was ordained. 🙏Currently, the Fine Arts Department has designated Wat Chai Watthanaram as a national archaeological site outside the island city of Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya. Wat Chai Watthanaram: Tambon Tha Wasukri, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya District, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province Opening hours: 07:00-17:00.