| WAT JAN PRATHET |
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Wat Jan Prathet is an active monastery situated off the city island in the northwestern
area at Ban Mai sub-district, Moo 6. The temple is situated on the east bank of the Chao
Phraya River in the vicinity of Wat Bamrung Tham and on the north bank of a canal
which has its mouth at the Chao Phraya River.
In situ is a classic monastic complex build. A beautiful decorated entry gate leads into the
temple grounds. The monastic buildings are all aligned in a northeast-southwest
alignment. The ordination hall (Th: ubosot), facing the canal, has two elevated porches
with two entries in the front and the back. The roof is three-tiered and there are five
rectangular windows on the longest sides. The hall is surrounded by a wall (Th:
Kamphaeng kaew or crystal wall), separating the monastic world from the secular world.
On the premises is a beautiful example of a classic "Ho Trai" or library building. The
building stands on stilts, three meters above a pond to protect the precious scriptures -
traditionally written on palm leaves - from insects. The Ho Trai has a two-tiered roof and
is surrounded by a gallery to keep the rain out. It has two entry doors in the front and the
back; and three windows on the longest sides.
The temple has been established around 1837 by a Lao community descending from
Vientiane during the reign of King Rama III. In 1829, Siam destroyed all the buildings in
the environs of Vientiane and removed the population for resettlement in Lopburi,
Saraburi, Suphanburi and Nakhon Chaisi provinces. (1) The community who built this
temple was likely belonging to this group of forced resettlers. [1]
Footnotes:
In January 1827, Laos under Chao Anu invaded Siam and the Lao army swept through
the Korat plateau, with the intention to take Bangkok. The Laotians were halted south of
Saraburi. The Siamese army marched up, defeated the Lao army at Nong Bua Lamphu
and occupied Vientiane until Februari 1828, leaving behind a small garrison. Rama III
wanted Vientiane destroyed. In august Anu recaptured Vientiane. Siam reacted
immediately. Anu was beaten in October and detained. Vientiane and surroundings were
flattened, with exception of the Buddhist temples and the population removed for
resettlement. [1]
References:
[1] Thailand, A Short History - David K. Wyatt (2003) - page 155.
area at Ban Mai sub-district, Moo 6. The temple is situated on the east bank of the Chao
Phraya River in the vicinity of Wat Bamrung Tham and on the north bank of a canal
which has its mouth at the Chao Phraya River.
In situ is a classic monastic complex build. A beautiful decorated entry gate leads into the
temple grounds. The monastic buildings are all aligned in a northeast-southwest
alignment. The ordination hall (Th: ubosot), facing the canal, has two elevated porches
with two entries in the front and the back. The roof is three-tiered and there are five
rectangular windows on the longest sides. The hall is surrounded by a wall (Th:
Kamphaeng kaew or crystal wall), separating the monastic world from the secular world.
On the premises is a beautiful example of a classic "Ho Trai" or library building. The
building stands on stilts, three meters above a pond to protect the precious scriptures -
traditionally written on palm leaves - from insects. The Ho Trai has a two-tiered roof and
is surrounded by a gallery to keep the rain out. It has two entry doors in the front and the
back; and three windows on the longest sides.
The temple has been established around 1837 by a Lao community descending from
Vientiane during the reign of King Rama III. In 1829, Siam destroyed all the buildings in
the environs of Vientiane and removed the population for resettlement in Lopburi,
Saraburi, Suphanburi and Nakhon Chaisi provinces. (1) The community who built this
temple was likely belonging to this group of forced resettlers. [1]
Footnotes:
In January 1827, Laos under Chao Anu invaded Siam and the Lao army swept through
the Korat plateau, with the intention to take Bangkok. The Laotians were halted south of
Saraburi. The Siamese army marched up, defeated the Lao army at Nong Bua Lamphu
and occupied Vientiane until Februari 1828, leaving behind a small garrison. Rama III
wanted Vientiane destroyed. In august Anu recaptured Vientiane. Siam reacted
immediately. Anu was beaten in October and detained. Vientiane and surroundings were
flattened, with exception of the Buddhist temples and the population removed for
resettlement. [1]
References:
[1] Thailand, A Short History - David K. Wyatt (2003) - page 155.
| Text & photographs by Tricky Vandenberg - January 2010 |
| (Ordination hall or ubosot) |
| (Ordination hall or ubosot) |
| (Ho trai or library building) |
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| (Click button for aerial view) |