Elephant Kraal Pavilion, Ayutthaya

Elephant Kraal Pavilion, Ayutthaya

The Pavilion, was the royal seat used to witness the elephant round up, is located in the north of Ayutthaya city island (4 km from the Ayutthaya city center). In the past wild elephants would be trained here to use become war or transport animals. It is thought that in the Ayutthaya period the stockade was inside the city wall, but this one was built later and was used up until the Bangkok period.



The structure is a big cage surrounded with logs. The Kraal is also surrounded by an earthen wall with bricks raised up to the pillar top. An elephant round-up was demonstrated here in 1890, during the reign of King Rama V, for the benefit of the Tsarevitch, who later became Nicholas II of Russia, during his visit to Siam.

Wat Phra Sri Sanphet, Ayutthaya

Wat Phra Sri San Phet is the main attraction in Ayutthaya located in a complex that has come to be known as the ‘Ayutthaya Ancient Palace’

Wat Phra Sri Sanphet temple was built in 1448 by the order of King Borommatrailokanat inside the old Ayutthaya Grand Palace area (at the southern part of the Royal Palace) as a royal temple used as the place for royal religious ceremonies, similar the Wat Phra Keaw Temple in Bangkok. The Ayutthaya Grand Palace was built by King U-Thong upon the founding of the city in 1350.



Wat Phra Sri Sanphet temple's layout is vary similar to Emerald Buddha Temple (Wat Phra Keaw) in Bangkok. due to the design of the temple inspired the design of the Emerald Buddha Temple in Bangkok.

In the temple, there are three Sri Lankan-style chedis, built during the 15th century to enshrine the ashes of three Ayutthaya kings.

In the temple located 16 meters in high of Standing Buddha Image called Phra Buddha Chao Sri Sanphet, once covered with 340 kg of gold. When the Burmese raided Ayutthaya in 1767. The gold that covered the Buddha image was stripped away and taken.



Another attraction inside the temple is Wihan Phra Mongkhon Bophit. This chapel is located to the south of the temple. A large bronze seated Buddha image (Phra Mongkhon Bophit) was originally enshrined outside the Grand Palace to the east. It could be dated to the 15th century. Later, King Songtham commanded it to be moved to the west, where it is currently enshrined and covered with a Mondop.The top of the Mondop was burnt down due to a thunderbolt. The King then commanded that a new building be built in the form of a big sanctuary (Maha Wihan) to cover the former one.

Wat phra Sri Samphet temple open daily from 08:00 to 17:30. Admission to Wat Phra Sri San Phet temple is 50 Baht.

Wat Yai Chai Mongkol, Ayutthaya

Wat Yai Chai Mongkol Temple is one of famous tourist spot in Ayutthaya. Wat Yai Chai Mongkol is located near the main Ayutthaya ruins on the Eastern side of the city not far away from the walls of Ayutthaya and Ayutthaya railway station.



Wat Yai Chai Mongkol was built in the the reign of the King U-Thong (Ayutthaya’s first ruler) in 1357, for the returned monks of a particularly strict order trained in Ceylon. The temple is also called Chao Phaya Thai Temple. The main attractions in this temple are the huge Chedi and big image of Reclining Buddha.

The main Chedi is surrounded by 4 smaller chedis. The Chedi in the temple was built in 1592 to celebrate King Naresuan the great’s single-handed defeat of the Burmese Crown Prince after an elephant back combat in the same year.

The image of Reclining Buddha was also built in the era of King Naresuan the Great as the meditation place for the king.

Similar to all the temples and palaces of Ayutthaya, the temple was raided by the Burmese when Ayutthaya was taken in 1767.



The temple is still functioning. there is a museum about King Nareusan of Autthaya inside the temple as well.




Wat Yai ChaiMongkol temple opens daily between 08:30 and 16:30. Admission fee is 20 Baht.