| WAT KHOK PHRAYARAM |
Wat Khok Phrayaram is a restored ruin located off the City Island in the
northwestern area in the plains 2 Km northwest of Ayutthaya at Tambon Phukhao
Thong. Wat Phukhao Thong and the Naresuan Memorial lie in its immediate vicinity.
In situ are the foundations of multiple monastic structures. The ordination hall (Th:
ubosot) can easily be determined. Historians thought initially that this site was the location
where a number of Ayutthayan Royals were executed following the ancient Chronicles of
Ayutthaya; but excavations in situ excluded this thesis. The important historical site where
these executions occurred, is Wat Khok Phraya; located in the vicinity of Wat Na Phra
Men and Wat Hatdawat on the north bank of the old Lopburi River.
We find although in the Royal Chronicles of Ayutthaya the name of Wat Khok
Phrayaram mentioned. The Burmese under King Tabeng Shwe Thi - the founder of the
second Burmese Empire - invaded Siam in 1549 via the Three Pagodas Pass (Chedi
Sam Ong) and Kanburi (in the vicinity of present Kanchanaburi). The Burmese army
arrived north of Ayutthaya and put its stockades up in the Lumphli plains. Khok
Phrayaram was the location where King Chakkraphat (r. 1548-1569) set up his army
formations to engage the Burmese in battle. [1] In the fight ensued, Queen Suriyothai
was killed by the King of Prae, when trying to help out her husband, when the latter's
elephant lost position in combat.
Historical data about the monastery and its construction are unknown. The site is not
indicated on Phraya Boran Rachathanin's map drafted in 1926.
References:
[1] The Royal Chronicles of Ayutthaya - Richard D. Cushman (2006) - page 33 /
Source: Phan Canthanumat, British Museum, Reverend Phonnarat, Phra
Cakkraphatdiphong & Royal Autograph.
northwestern area in the plains 2 Km northwest of Ayutthaya at Tambon Phukhao
Thong. Wat Phukhao Thong and the Naresuan Memorial lie in its immediate vicinity.
In situ are the foundations of multiple monastic structures. The ordination hall (Th:
ubosot) can easily be determined. Historians thought initially that this site was the location
where a number of Ayutthayan Royals were executed following the ancient Chronicles of
Ayutthaya; but excavations in situ excluded this thesis. The important historical site where
these executions occurred, is Wat Khok Phraya; located in the vicinity of Wat Na Phra
Men and Wat Hatdawat on the north bank of the old Lopburi River.
We find although in the Royal Chronicles of Ayutthaya the name of Wat Khok
Phrayaram mentioned. The Burmese under King Tabeng Shwe Thi - the founder of the
second Burmese Empire - invaded Siam in 1549 via the Three Pagodas Pass (Chedi
Sam Ong) and Kanburi (in the vicinity of present Kanchanaburi). The Burmese army
arrived north of Ayutthaya and put its stockades up in the Lumphli plains. Khok
Phrayaram was the location where King Chakkraphat (r. 1548-1569) set up his army
formations to engage the Burmese in battle. [1] In the fight ensued, Queen Suriyothai
was killed by the King of Prae, when trying to help out her husband, when the latter's
elephant lost position in combat.
Historical data about the monastery and its construction are unknown. The site is not
indicated on Phraya Boran Rachathanin's map drafted in 1926.
References:
[1] The Royal Chronicles of Ayutthaya - Richard D. Cushman (2006) - page 33 /
Source: Phan Canthanumat, British Museum, Reverend Phonnarat, Phra
Cakkraphatdiphong & Royal Autograph.
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(Click button for aerial view)
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| Text & photographs by Tricky Vandenberg - January 2010 |