Wat Chaiwatthanaram

Wat Chaiwatthanaram – Legacy of Ayutthaya

Commissioned in 1630 by King Prasat Thong, Wat Chaiwatthanaram is one of the most iconic temples of the ancient city of Ayutthaya. Built in the Khmer architectural style, its central prang and surrounding chedis symbolized both Buddhist cosmology and royal power. Historians consider it a landmark monument of Buddhism’s influence on Thai society.

Once left in ruin after Ayutthaya’s fall to the Burmese in 1767, the temple faced centuries of decay and looting until conservation began in the late 20th century. Today, it stands as one of Thailand’s most important cultural sites, part of the Ayutthaya Historical Park inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1991. This gallery highlights its timeless beauty, intricate structures, and powerful presence on the Chao Phraya plain.