| WAT KAEO (1) (วัดแก้ว) |
Wat Kaeo or the “Crystal Monastery” was located on the city island in the
southwestern area in Pratu Chai sub-district. It was situated in the present Somdet Phra
Sri Nakharin Park; the latter being part of the Ayutthaya Historical Park. The site of the
former monastery is accessible via U-Thong road. The temple stood north of Wat Khok
Madan Yai (vanished) along a canal which was connected to Khlong Chakrai Yai.
The monastery belonged to a cluster of temples located in a residential area in the reign of
King Chakkraphat also called the "Lord of the White Elephants" (r.1548-1569).
Thianracha (Chakkraphat), before ascending the throne, had his princely residence in this
area. The area was before important, as most of the palace officials and high ranked
persons were living on both sides of the Chao Phraya River between Wat Phutthai
Sawan and Wat Chai Watthanaram.
The last traces above ground level of this temple probably disappeared when the Somdet
Phra Sri Nakarin Park was constructed. Only a large grass field remains.
Its historical background and exact period of construction are not known, although it is
very likely that the former monastery was built in the Middle Ayutthaya period.
Wat Kaeo is indicated on a mid-19th century map in the same position as Phraya Boran
Rachathanin does on his 1926 map, but is here denominated as Wat Kaeo Fa
(วัดแก้วฟ้า). The oldest map indicates the presence of a chedi.
Whether or not the monastery had a relation with the child king Yot Fa (r. 1547-1548)
also called King Kaeo Fa, is not known.
southwestern area in Pratu Chai sub-district. It was situated in the present Somdet Phra
Sri Nakharin Park; the latter being part of the Ayutthaya Historical Park. The site of the
former monastery is accessible via U-Thong road. The temple stood north of Wat Khok
Madan Yai (vanished) along a canal which was connected to Khlong Chakrai Yai.
The monastery belonged to a cluster of temples located in a residential area in the reign of
King Chakkraphat also called the "Lord of the White Elephants" (r.1548-1569).
Thianracha (Chakkraphat), before ascending the throne, had his princely residence in this
area. The area was before important, as most of the palace officials and high ranked
persons were living on both sides of the Chao Phraya River between Wat Phutthai
Sawan and Wat Chai Watthanaram.
The last traces above ground level of this temple probably disappeared when the Somdet
Phra Sri Nakarin Park was constructed. Only a large grass field remains.
Its historical background and exact period of construction are not known, although it is
very likely that the former monastery was built in the Middle Ayutthaya period.
Wat Kaeo is indicated on a mid-19th century map in the same position as Phraya Boran
Rachathanin does on his 1926 map, but is here denominated as Wat Kaeo Fa
(วัดแก้วฟ้า). The oldest map indicates the presence of a chedi.
Whether or not the monastery had a relation with the child king Yot Fa (r. 1547-1548)
also called King Kaeo Fa, is not known.
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| Text & maps by Tricky Vandenberg - September 2009 Reviewed - April 2011 |
| (Extract of a begin-20th century map) |
| (Extract of a mid-19th century map) |