Wat Phu Khao Thong

Wat Phu Khao Thong or Golden Mount Temple is located about two kilometers northwestern of Ayutthaya City Island. Main attraction on this sight is a huge white, and slightly wonky, chedi set in a big field. It was built in 1387 by the order of the King Ramesuan. Later, the king of Burmese, Burengnong, built three layers of the large superimposed base in the Burmese style, the 80m (260ft) called Chedi Wat Phu Khao Thong, which means Golden Mount after he seized Ayutthaya in 1569. This is one of the tallest pagodas in Ayutthaya. The main body of the Thai-style chedi was built later.

The statue of King Naresuan who declared Ayutthaya independence from the Burmese In 1584 after King Bhueng Noreng had died, is built a few hundred meters away in front of the Pagoda. The statue is quite impressive. On the four corners of the base, are images of the King’s important weapons. The nearby temple founded by King Ramesuanis still working and has small area with Buddha images in the ruins of a small viharn.

 

Wat Phra Ram Ayutthaya

Wat Phra Ram is a restored ruin placed in the Ayutthaya Historical Park. The temple situated close to the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Sri Sanphet. Next to the temple is a rather large park with a huge lake, called Beung Phra Ram, currently, the swamp is now planted with lotus and is very wonderful during the blooming season. Wat Phra Ram has been built in 1369 A.D. by King Ramesuen on the site where the remains of his father Ayutthayan monarch, the King of U-thong had been cremated. However, since King Ramesuen reigned only one year, he could not have completed the building. The Wat was either completed by King Boromaraja I or that king may have permitted others to complete it.

A large swamp lies in front of the temple. This swamp appears to have existed before the founding of the city and was called Nong Sano early on. The swamp may have been enlarged when earth was removed for leveling sites for the Royal Palace, Wat Phra Mahathat, Wat Rajaburana and Wat Phra Ram.

Wat Phra Men in Ayutthaya

Wat Na Phra Men is a significant place to visit. Wat Na Phra Men in Ayutthaya, the name of this temple means the temple in front of the majestic pyre, from time to time called Wat Na Phra Meru is positioned off Ayutthaya City Island, just opposite the formal Grand Palace in the northern area in Tha Wasukri district. Wat Na Phra Men was constructed in 1500s during the reign of King Ramathibodi. It also has been used as a Royal cremation spot. This temple is still very much in its original condition and was not destroyed by the Burmese. In fact the Burmese used the location from which to fire canon into the fortified City. In 1835 to1838 Wat Na Phra Men was repaired at some stage in the reign of Rama III of the Bangkok’s Chakry dynasty.
Attractions at Wat Na Phra Men
The Ordination Hall is a very major attraction. To the front the embossed gable with lacquer and glass mosaic depicts Vishnu mounted on Garuda. Both positioned above the head of the mythological Rahu. All of these are surrounded by some twenty six ‘’angels’’ imprinted in wood. Inside the hall is used to house Main Image of Buddha. The Buddha wears the Royal Attire, typical for the late era of Ayutthaya.
Viharn, the small but wonderfully proportioned Viharn houses a stone Buddha seated in European style, one of the best-preserved statues from the Dvaravati period.