Ayutthaya · Khmer-style temple ruins beside the river
On the west side of the Chao Phraya River in Ayutthaya, Wat Chaiwatthanaram is a temple ruin where the large central tower and surrounding towers come into view together. Its clear arrangement of towers and galleries makes it a good place to see the influence of Khmer architecture.
Walk along the surrounding towers and galleries and view the central tower from different angles. Up close, take in the brick structure and ornamentation; from farther away, see how the towers overlap. It is a relaxed visit for companions who want to photograph Ayutthaya’s temple architecture.
The pin marks the place, not necessarily its entrance, ticket office or vehicle drop-off point.
Tambon Baanpom, Amphur Pra Nakorn Sri Ayutthaya, Ayutthaya 13000
A main tower about 35 m tall stands at the centre of a square compound, with four towers around it. A gallery runs along the perimeter, and towers in eight directions surround the compound. Step back to see at a glance how the large central tower and surrounding structures are arranged.
The layout, influenced by Khmer architecture, is also compared with Angkor Wat. The large central tower with smaller towers around it represents Mount Meru, the centre of the Buddhist cosmos. You can take in both the visible arrangement and its religious meaning.
The temple is said to have been built in 1630 by King Prasat Thong in memory of his late mother. It was later used for royal memorial ceremonies. The impressive towers that remain today have this royal commemorative history behind them.
The temple was burned and abandoned during the war of 1767, then restored in later years before becoming the ruins seen today. The Tourism Authority also describes restoration work in 1987. Walk among the surviving towers and galleries to take in the old temple’s layout and architecture.
The way the towers overlap in a photograph changes with your position. First look closely at the brickwork, then step back to see the outlines of several towers together. Take your time finding a composition that you like if you are travelling with someone who enjoys architectural photography.
At dusk, the outlines of the central tower and surrounding towers overlap in the view. Visiting hours are listed as 08:00–18:00, so if you plan to arrive around dusk, schedule your visit using both the sunset time and the closing time for that date.
For all visitors, we recommend wearing clothing that covers the shoulders and knees. A sleeved top with long trousers or a skirt that covers the knees is a good choice. Please dress modestly rather than wearing a sleeveless top or short bottoms.
Four towers, a surrounding gallery and eight directional towers are arranged around the central prang, which is about 35 metres high. The layout reflects Khmer architectural influence, and the large central tower represents Mount Meru, the centre of the Buddhist universe.
Visiting hours are listed as 08:00–18:00. If you want to see the sunset, check whether that day’s sunset is before 18:00 and plan your visit accordingly. This information does not guarantee night opening or illuminated viewing.
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Sharing image credit: Evilarry / Wikimedia Commons · Public domain
