| WAT KHIAN 1 (วัดเขียน) |
Wat Khian is located off the city island in a sports complex east of Wat Yai Chai
Mongkhon. This deserted monastery is situated next to a football pitch. It is covered in
heavy vegetation and easy to overlook.
The main architectural feature is a partially restored sermon hall that is oriented toward
the east. This has eroded down to the basic foundation and there are no traces of walls
left. A small alter is visible with the debris of some Buddha images. The remains of a
bell-shaped chedi and its toppled spire can still be seen. This style suggests the middle
Ayutthaya period.
There is no historic record for this monastery; however, there is evidence that earth walls
once passed through this southeastern area but were knocked over to make room for
rice fields. This could explain Wat Khian's remote location.
In 1972, construction work was suspended on an extension of an agricultural school in
this area after machinery dug up the remains of at least five temples. It is interesting to
note that virtually all of the buildings in this sports complex were constructed above the
ground without further digging.
Mongkhon. This deserted monastery is situated next to a football pitch. It is covered in
heavy vegetation and easy to overlook.
The main architectural feature is a partially restored sermon hall that is oriented toward
the east. This has eroded down to the basic foundation and there are no traces of walls
left. A small alter is visible with the debris of some Buddha images. The remains of a
bell-shaped chedi and its toppled spire can still be seen. This style suggests the middle
Ayutthaya period.
There is no historic record for this monastery; however, there is evidence that earth walls
once passed through this southeastern area but were knocked over to make room for
rice fields. This could explain Wat Khian's remote location.
In 1972, construction work was suspended on an extension of an agricultural school in
this area after machinery dug up the remains of at least five temples. It is interesting to
note that virtually all of the buildings in this sports complex were constructed above the
ground without further digging.
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| Text by Ken May - December 2008 Photographs by Tricky Vandenberg |
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| (Brick work of Wat Khian) |
| (Brick work of Wat Khian) |