| WAT KHO (วัดโค) |
Wat Kho or the “Monastery of the Bull” was located on the city island in the eastern
area at Ho Rattanachai sub-district. The temple was situated north of Wat Suwan
Dararam and east of Khlong Nai Kai presently called Khlong Makham Riang. Wat Kho
and Wat Krabu lie just opposite of each other while Wat Ho Rakhang was situated in its
north-west.
The monastery is mentioned in the Royal Chronicles of Ayutthaya. It was in this area that
the Siamese army of Phra Maha Thep retreated and regrouped after their stockade on
Crystal Island was overrun by the Burmese in their attack of Ayutthaya in 1569.
The Burmese principal effort seems to have occurred in the south east as the northern,
western and southern flanks of the city were protected by the rivers, being a natural
barrier. The eastern side of the city was easily prone to attack as no real defense line
existed. The Pa Sak River did not change its course yet, and a large tract of land - only
partially cut by some shallow irrigation canals - lie in front of the city. The troops of
Prince Thammaracha from Phitsanulok and the Burmese Uparat (second to the King of
Hongsa) advanced over Kaew Island (Crystal Island - the actual location of Wat Ko
Kaew) towards the city.
The Siamese army was routed again in front of Kho Monastery and withdrew to regroup
near Phao Khao Monastery. Phra Maha Thep’s forces were so scattered that the
Siamese could not reform their defense lines and the Burmese were able to enter the city,
leading to the first fall of Ayutthaya. The event occurred on 30 August 1569.[1]
There are no traces any more of the former monastery and it is classified as disappeared.
The exact date of its construction is not known. The temple is indicated on Phraya Boran
Rachathanin’s map drafted in 1926. On his map is indicated that at that time a brick road
ran in between Wat Kho and Wat Krabu. This brick road at a later stage in the 20th
century became the Rojana Rd.
Wat Kho features also on a map drafted during the reign of King Rama III (1824 -
1851), but under the name Wat Woa.
References:
[1] The Royal Chronicles of Ayutthaya - Richard D. Cushman (2006) - page 73 /
Source: Phan Canthanumat, British Museum, Reverend Phonnarat, Phra
Cakkraphatdiphong & Royal Autograph.
area at Ho Rattanachai sub-district. The temple was situated north of Wat Suwan
Dararam and east of Khlong Nai Kai presently called Khlong Makham Riang. Wat Kho
and Wat Krabu lie just opposite of each other while Wat Ho Rakhang was situated in its
north-west.
The monastery is mentioned in the Royal Chronicles of Ayutthaya. It was in this area that
the Siamese army of Phra Maha Thep retreated and regrouped after their stockade on
Crystal Island was overrun by the Burmese in their attack of Ayutthaya in 1569.
The Burmese principal effort seems to have occurred in the south east as the northern,
western and southern flanks of the city were protected by the rivers, being a natural
barrier. The eastern side of the city was easily prone to attack as no real defense line
existed. The Pa Sak River did not change its course yet, and a large tract of land - only
partially cut by some shallow irrigation canals - lie in front of the city. The troops of
Prince Thammaracha from Phitsanulok and the Burmese Uparat (second to the King of
Hongsa) advanced over Kaew Island (Crystal Island - the actual location of Wat Ko
Kaew) towards the city.
The Siamese army was routed again in front of Kho Monastery and withdrew to regroup
near Phao Khao Monastery. Phra Maha Thep’s forces were so scattered that the
Siamese could not reform their defense lines and the Burmese were able to enter the city,
leading to the first fall of Ayutthaya. The event occurred on 30 August 1569.[1]
There are no traces any more of the former monastery and it is classified as disappeared.
The exact date of its construction is not known. The temple is indicated on Phraya Boran
Rachathanin’s map drafted in 1926. On his map is indicated that at that time a brick road
ran in between Wat Kho and Wat Krabu. This brick road at a later stage in the 20th
century became the Rojana Rd.
Wat Kho features also on a map drafted during the reign of King Rama III (1824 -
1851), but under the name Wat Woa.
References:
[1] The Royal Chronicles of Ayutthaya - Richard D. Cushman (2006) - page 73 /
Source: Phan Canthanumat, British Museum, Reverend Phonnarat, Phra
Cakkraphatdiphong & Royal Autograph.
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
| Text by Tricky Vandenberg - October 2009 Updated October 2010 |
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
| (Extract of a 20th century map) |
| (Extract of a 19th century map) |