| WAT KET 2 |
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Wat Ket is an active monastery located off the city island in the northwestern area in
Ban Mai sub-district. It is situated on the east bank of the Chao Phraya River or - free
translated - the River of Kings and just opposite the Suriyothai Memorial park.
In situ is a new monastic complex with different structures. The ordination hall (Th:
ubosot) is built in the classic Late Ayutthaya style and stands in the classical east-west
alignment. It has a three-tiered roof with beautiful decorated gables. The hall has two
porches with two entries and is surrounded by a wall. Four columns on each porch
support the roof. There are five rectangular windows on the northern and southern sides.
North of the ordination hall stands a mondop surrounded by a gallery and topped by a
small prang, containing a Phrabat or Buddha footprint. Other typical monastic structures
are also present as vihara, kuti etc.
Historical data about the monastery and its construction are unknown. The site is not
indicated on Phraya Boran Rachathanin's map drafted in 1926, as the temple is located
in the outskirts of Muang Ayutthaya.
This temple is prone to flooding in the rainy season as it is located on the main river,
while opposite, the water reservoir of the Queen Suriyothai Memorial was until recently
used as an area to retain the overflow of water coming down from the north. Recently
many structural works have been undertaken on the site to prevent its flooding. In the
weekends there is a large market held on the temple premises.
Ban Mai sub-district. It is situated on the east bank of the Chao Phraya River or - free
translated - the River of Kings and just opposite the Suriyothai Memorial park.
In situ is a new monastic complex with different structures. The ordination hall (Th:
ubosot) is built in the classic Late Ayutthaya style and stands in the classical east-west
alignment. It has a three-tiered roof with beautiful decorated gables. The hall has two
porches with two entries and is surrounded by a wall. Four columns on each porch
support the roof. There are five rectangular windows on the northern and southern sides.
North of the ordination hall stands a mondop surrounded by a gallery and topped by a
small prang, containing a Phrabat or Buddha footprint. Other typical monastic structures
are also present as vihara, kuti etc.
Historical data about the monastery and its construction are unknown. The site is not
indicated on Phraya Boran Rachathanin's map drafted in 1926, as the temple is located
in the outskirts of Muang Ayutthaya.
This temple is prone to flooding in the rainy season as it is located on the main river,
while opposite, the water reservoir of the Queen Suriyothai Memorial was until recently
used as an area to retain the overflow of water coming down from the north. Recently
many structural works have been undertaken on the site to prevent its flooding. In the
weekends there is a large market held on the temple premises.
| Text & photographs by Tricky Vandenberg - December 2009 |
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| (Ubosot - view from the west side) |
| (Shrine wit footprint of the Buddha) |
| (View of the ubosot) |