| WAT LONG THONG (วัดลงทอง) |
Wat Long Thong is located off the main island in the North West. It can be seen on
the southern side of Highway #3060 leading toward the West. This monastery appears
only on a 1993 Fine Arts Department map but in a slightly inaccurate location.
In situ is a large bell shaped chedi in the style of the middle Ayutthaya period. This chedi
has been partially repaired at one point, and a hole dug into the base by looters has been
plugged up. Plaster still surrounds most of the relic chamber. The spire is still intact and
contains at least 13 rings. The base also has a number of rings encircling it.
South of this chedi is a small altar beside a large Bodhi tree. The tree is heavily wrapped
in yellow and orange cloth. There is a large hole inside the tree that reveals the chamber
of some structure. The tree has grown around the base of this; therefore, a large number
of bricks can be seen in various limbs of the tree. A small Buddha image sits at the altar,
which has been decorated with fresh flowers, candles, joss sticks, and water.
The history of this monastery is unknown; however, its location is where many battles
took place against the Burmese. It is likely that its construction was as a memorial to
those killed in battle.
the southern side of Highway #3060 leading toward the West. This monastery appears
only on a 1993 Fine Arts Department map but in a slightly inaccurate location.
In situ is a large bell shaped chedi in the style of the middle Ayutthaya period. This chedi
has been partially repaired at one point, and a hole dug into the base by looters has been
plugged up. Plaster still surrounds most of the relic chamber. The spire is still intact and
contains at least 13 rings. The base also has a number of rings encircling it.
South of this chedi is a small altar beside a large Bodhi tree. The tree is heavily wrapped
in yellow and orange cloth. There is a large hole inside the tree that reveals the chamber
of some structure. The tree has grown around the base of this; therefore, a large number
of bricks can be seen in various limbs of the tree. A small Buddha image sits at the altar,
which has been decorated with fresh flowers, candles, joss sticks, and water.
The history of this monastery is unknown; however, its location is where many battles
took place against the Burmese. It is likely that its construction was as a memorial to
those killed in battle.
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| Text by Ken May - April 2009 |
| (Click thumbnail for an aerial view) |
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Addendum
Wat Long Thong was located off the city island in the northern area of Ayutthaya in Wat
Tum sub-district, east of Highway # 347. Long Thong can be translated as "to apply gold
leaf".
The monastery features not only on a 1993, but also on a 2005 Fine Arts Department
map.
Some remains of the temple were excavated by the Fine Arts Department (FAD) in Geo
Coord: +14° 23' 48.48" N, +100° 31' 48.00" E (based on 2005 map). In my opinion
this data is incorrect as a ruin was found in Geo Coord +14° 23' 35.93" N, +100° 31'
47.05" E.
Wat Long Thong stood south of Wat Sam Pratu and north of Wat Khwit (2). The temple
was situated within a loop of the old Lopburi River of which the southern part is at
present called Khlong Wat Tum and stood on its east bank adjacent of Wat Sam Pratu.
At a certain moment the loop had been cut straight near Wat Tha Yak and the northern
tax station towards Wat Klang Raman. The shortcut canal or khlong lat, was called
Khlong Bang Khoat referring to the village Ban Bang Khoat in which vicinity the canal
was dug.
Its historical background and period of construction are unknown.
Wat Long Thong was located off the city island in the northern area of Ayutthaya in Wat
Tum sub-district, east of Highway # 347. Long Thong can be translated as "to apply gold
leaf".
The monastery features not only on a 1993, but also on a 2005 Fine Arts Department
map.
Some remains of the temple were excavated by the Fine Arts Department (FAD) in Geo
Coord: +14° 23' 48.48" N, +100° 31' 48.00" E (based on 2005 map). In my opinion
this data is incorrect as a ruin was found in Geo Coord +14° 23' 35.93" N, +100° 31'
47.05" E.
Wat Long Thong stood south of Wat Sam Pratu and north of Wat Khwit (2). The temple
was situated within a loop of the old Lopburi River of which the southern part is at
present called Khlong Wat Tum and stood on its east bank adjacent of Wat Sam Pratu.
At a certain moment the loop had been cut straight near Wat Tha Yak and the northern
tax station towards Wat Klang Raman. The shortcut canal or khlong lat, was called
Khlong Bang Khoat referring to the village Ban Bang Khoat in which vicinity the canal
was dug.
Its historical background and period of construction are unknown.
| Text, map & photographs by Tricky Vandenberg - August 2011 |
| (Extract of a 1993 Fine Arts Department map - Courtesy Khun Supot Prommanot, Director of the 3th Regional Office of Fine Arts) |
| (The chedi of Wat Long Thong along Highway # 347) |
| (Chedi close-up) |
| (Chedi and brick work in situ) |
| (Selfmade local veneration shrine) |
| (Chedi Wat Long Thong) |
| (Base of chedi - looting activity) |
| (Base of chedi) |