Ayutthaya

Wihara  Phra Mongkhonbophit     Pra Mongkhonbophit is an image of Buddha made of brick covered with bronze and gilt. Its whole body is black as it was covered with black  lacquer. It is assumed that it was built in the reign of Somdej Phra Chairacha in 1538 as a symbol Buddha image of Chichiang Temple and was enshrined outdoor. Later on, King Song-Tham had the Buddha image moved to the south-west of Wat Phra Sri Sanphet and kept it in the pavilion, the Mondopa. In the reign of Phra Chao Sua, the Mondopa was burnt down by a fire due to a thunderbolt, causing the lotus bud and the right arm of the Buddha image to break down. Phra Chao Sua then had the broken parts of the image restored. During the fall of Ayutthaya in 1767, the Wihara Mongkhon Bophit was badly burnt and the right arm and the hair knot of the Buddha image were broken. In the reign of King Rama V, Phraya Boranrachathanin who was the governor of Ayutthaya during that time restored the image with stucco and gilt. In 1992, the Wihara Mongkhon Bophit was built to cover the image. This image,in the attitude of subduing mara, is one of the biggest Buddha images in Thailand.

	Wat Chaiwattanaram
	This beautiful temple is located on the same side of Wat Putthaisawan
	but to the west of Ko Muang. This monastery was built by the royal
	command of King Prasat Thong as a memorial to his mother’s land and
	to celebrate for his coronation in 1630. The architectural style is
	reminiscent of Khmer temples as the main pagoda, Pra Prang Sri
	Mahathatu,was surrounded by small ones in 8 directions. It is assumed
	that the relics of Lord Buddha or other sacred objects used to be kept in
	in the main Prang. The ordination hall is located in the east of the Prang.
	There are ruins of the principal Buddha image made of sandstone in
	attitude of subduing mara and in the north ruins of the bases of the
	three pagodas located the bone relics of Chao Fa Thammathibet
	(Chaofa Kung Rattanakawi of Ayutthaya) Chao Sangwan and Chao Fa Nim,
	the king’s first concubine. It is now a deserted temple, but the main
	Prangs and Pagodas remain in good conditions.
The Royal Palace or the Ancient Royal Palace         The Ancient Royal Palace in Ayutthaya can now be seen only the old ruins of the building. It was assumed that it was constructed by King U – Thong, who founded Ayutthaya when he was at Wiang Lek. After the capital had been completed in 1353, he moved to the new Royal Palace at Nong Sa No which is now Wat Phra Si Sanphet. At that time all pavilions were made from wood. Later on in 1448, King Borom Trai Lokanat dedicated the Royal Palace for Wat Phra Si Sanphet and   had the new Royal Palace constructed at the north of the Lopburi River.   Several pavilions built inside the Royal Palace which are now known as   “The Ancient Royal Palace”, situated next to the northern section of the   city wall with a road passing through Chankasem Palace 2 kilometers   away had been resided by every monarch during the Ayutthaya period.   It is open daily from 8.30- 16.30 hrs.
	Wat Na Phramen
	Phra Ong-In had this monastery constructed in the reign of King
	Ramathibodi II in 1503. Its original name was Wat Merurachikaram,
	located on the bank of a lotus pond opposite the Royal Palace. In the
	reign of King Mahachakapadi, he built the pavilion between Wat
	Naphramen and Wat Hasadawas to use as a truce commitment with King
	Burengnong. The architecture of this monastery is of early Ayutthaya
	period, of which ordination hall does not have windows but narrow
	rectangular holes. The principal bronze Buddha image was beautifully
	decorated in regal attire in attitude of subduing mara, considered the
	most beautiful.Its gabled roof is gilt teak carved into a picture of
	ูNarayana God riding on a Garuda (mythical bird) catching Naga head,
	surrounded by 26 goddesses. There were some Thai poem called
	kaapyannii and kaapsuparb inscripted on the monk seats. Wat Na
	Phramen was restored during the reign of King Rama III of Rattanakosin
	period. At the small Wihara or Wihara Kiean, there were carved door
	panels of the craftmen of the period of King Rama III. There were mural
	paintings on the wall but currently many of them are blurred. There is
	also a sitting Buddha image in Tawarawadi period enshrined inside the
	temple.
	Wat Phanan Cherng
	Located on the Chaophraya riverbank in the south of the city.There is
	no definite evidence regarding the founder or when the temple was
	founded,but it was believed that it was built before Ayutthaya was
	established.The large Buddha image in the Wihara called
	“Phra Chao Phanan Cherng” was built in 1324. In 1854, King Rama IV
	restored the image and re-named it “Phra Puttha Trairatana Nayok”
	The image is a seated Buddha in the attitude of subduing mara and is
	considered the oldest and largest seated Buddha image in Thailand with
	20.17 meters wide and 19 meters high from knees to head.

	Khum Khun Phaen
	Khum Khun Phaen consists of five Thai style houses located in the
	south of Wihan Phra Mongkol Borphit, facing towards Sri Sanphet and
	Patong Road in Pratoochai Sub-district. The name “Khum Khun Phaen”
	is not related to ?Khum Khun Phaen? in the famous Thai literature.
	The main purpose of building is to allow the young generations to study
	Thai style houses such as Ruan Ake, Ruan Tho, Ho Phra,
	Ho Nang and Krua Fai.