| WAT KHOK RAK (วัดโคกรัก) |
Wat Khok Rak or the "Monastery of the Love Mound" was located on the city island
outside the historical park at Pratu Chai sub-district.
The monastery was situated between Wat Khok Muang and present Khlong Makham
Riang.
In the north stood Wat Salak, while in the south Wat Kraji and Wat Saphan Ngern.
There are no traces anymore visible of the monastery above ground level.
Historical data about the monastery and its construction are unknown.
The site is indicated on Phraya Boran Rachathanin's map drafted in 1926. On PBR's
map the monastery was situated central between Khlong Pratu Khao Pluak and Khlong
Makham Riang and pressed between Wat Khok Muang and Wat Kraji, both
monasteries which have still brickwork in situ.
outside the historical park at Pratu Chai sub-district.
The monastery was situated between Wat Khok Muang and present Khlong Makham
Riang.
In the north stood Wat Salak, while in the south Wat Kraji and Wat Saphan Ngern.
There are no traces anymore visible of the monastery above ground level.
Historical data about the monastery and its construction are unknown.
The site is indicated on Phraya Boran Rachathanin's map drafted in 1926. On PBR's
map the monastery was situated central between Khlong Pratu Khao Pluak and Khlong
Makham Riang and pressed between Wat Khok Muang and Wat Kraji, both
monasteries which have still brickwork in situ.
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| Text & map by Tricky Vandenberg - July 2010 |
Addendum
Using overlays we find that Wat Khok Rak on Phraya Boran Rachathanin's map
coincides with Wat Pet on the mid-19th century map.
Wat Khok Rak is mentioned on the mid-19th century map, but in another location; this
location coincides with the grounds of an unnamed monastery, east of Wat Kraji on
PBR's map. The monastery was situated along a road the French called "Rue des
Maures" or "Moor Street", which is now more or less the present Pa Thon Rd (more or
less as the ancient road did not have the width of the present lane and its direction (angle)
was also probably not the same) and stood east of Wat Sao Ching Cha. Wat Kraji was
located in its southeast.
The 19th century map indicates the existence of a minor prang.
Making an assessment off all the monastic structures, in the zone demarcated by Chikun
Rd, Pa Thon Rd, Pridi Banomyong Rd and U-thong Rd is rather difficult, as the position
and name of the structures varies on different maps. On a 19th century map there are 15
structures counted, while on the 20th century PBR map there are 13 mentioned. There is
inconsistence in the names and the positions. Even a map drafted in the 90's by the Fine
Arts Department, what I presume, based on excavations in the zone, shed no light on this
matter. Positions of monastic structures can be asserted, but their ancient names will
remain questioned forever.
Using overlays we find that Wat Khok Rak on Phraya Boran Rachathanin's map
coincides with Wat Pet on the mid-19th century map.
Wat Khok Rak is mentioned on the mid-19th century map, but in another location; this
location coincides with the grounds of an unnamed monastery, east of Wat Kraji on
PBR's map. The monastery was situated along a road the French called "Rue des
Maures" or "Moor Street", which is now more or less the present Pa Thon Rd (more or
less as the ancient road did not have the width of the present lane and its direction (angle)
was also probably not the same) and stood east of Wat Sao Ching Cha. Wat Kraji was
located in its southeast.
The 19th century map indicates the existence of a minor prang.
Making an assessment off all the monastic structures, in the zone demarcated by Chikun
Rd, Pa Thon Rd, Pridi Banomyong Rd and U-thong Rd is rather difficult, as the position
and name of the structures varies on different maps. On a 19th century map there are 15
structures counted, while on the 20th century PBR map there are 13 mentioned. There is
inconsistence in the names and the positions. Even a map drafted in the 90's by the Fine
Arts Department, what I presume, based on excavations in the zone, shed no light on this
matter. Positions of monastic structures can be asserted, but their ancient names will
remain questioned forever.
| Addendum & map by Tricky Vandenberg - November 2010 Reviewed - 17 January 2011 |
| (Attention: This map is orientated S-N. North is as thus under) |