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.
