| WAT MAE NANG MUK (วัดแม่นางมุก) |
This small ruin is hiding on the corner of Rojana Road and Chikun Road. It is situated
on the property of Ayutthaya Wittayalai School. Wat Mae Nang Muk is one of the three
temple ruins that is still visible at this school. The other two are Wat Pa Sak and Wat
Sapan Nak.
Wat Mae Nang Muk was once located next to a canal that ran from Khlong Chakrai
Noi to Khlong Pratu Khao Pluak. All three canals have since been buried. This temple
appears on Phraya Boran Rachathanin’s 1926 map, which shows that a small pond once
existed behind it and that Muslims once lived in a nearby neighborhood (Tuk Raeb
Kaek). Some versions of de La Mare’s 1751 map describe a road named “Muslim
Street” in this area. This Muslim Street is documented in a number of accounts by
foreigners. The canals and pond created a small island where this monastery once stood.
In situ is a single chedi, which still remains partially buried underground. This chedi has
been constructed in a style attributed to the Late-Ayutthaya period. Its architecture
shows a Khmer influence, and it seems to be a derivative of a prang. However, this
chedi has a large number of indented corners. There is an arched niche in each of the
cardinal direction. Buddha images probably existed within these niches at one time, but
there is no trace of them today.
The history and foundation date of Wat Mae Nang Muk are unclear. This monastery
remains one of the mysteries of Ayutthaya.
on the property of Ayutthaya Wittayalai School. Wat Mae Nang Muk is one of the three
temple ruins that is still visible at this school. The other two are Wat Pa Sak and Wat
Sapan Nak.
Wat Mae Nang Muk was once located next to a canal that ran from Khlong Chakrai
Noi to Khlong Pratu Khao Pluak. All three canals have since been buried. This temple
appears on Phraya Boran Rachathanin’s 1926 map, which shows that a small pond once
existed behind it and that Muslims once lived in a nearby neighborhood (Tuk Raeb
Kaek). Some versions of de La Mare’s 1751 map describe a road named “Muslim
Street” in this area. This Muslim Street is documented in a number of accounts by
foreigners. The canals and pond created a small island where this monastery once stood.
In situ is a single chedi, which still remains partially buried underground. This chedi has
been constructed in a style attributed to the Late-Ayutthaya period. Its architecture
shows a Khmer influence, and it seems to be a derivative of a prang. However, this
chedi has a large number of indented corners. There is an arched niche in each of the
cardinal direction. Buddha images probably existed within these niches at one time, but
there is no trace of them today.
The history and foundation date of Wat Mae Nang Muk are unclear. This monastery
remains one of the mysteries of Ayutthaya.
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| Text & photographs by Ken May - August 2009 |
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Addendum
Wat Mae Nang Muk is also indicated on a mid-19th century map but named
Wat Noi Nang Muk (วัดนอยนางมุก). The monastery was situated just north of Wat
Kaew and west of Wat Sao Chingcha and Wat Khok Suea. The monastery stood on the
west bank of Khlong Pratu Jin and south of Talaeng Kaeng Road and Wat Chatthan.
The 19th-century map indicates the presence of a chedi.
Author above, links "Tuk Rap Khaek" to a Muslim presence. The Thai word "Khaek"
(แขค) refers generally to people of the Arabian peninsula, India or Pakistan, but should
be interpreted here as being "guest or visitor". Phraya Boran Rachathanin writes on his
map "Tuk Rap Khaek Mueang Farangset" (ตึกรับแขคเมืองฝรั่งเศส), which means
literally the "building to receive the guests of France".
The author however is indeed right when stating the area was a Muslim neighborhood.
The building where the first French Embassy was received, belonged to an influent
Persian Minister. Guy Tachard wrote: "The King of Siam had ordered a stately
House to be built for the Ambassador; but seeing it was not yet finished, and that
there was no delay to be made because of the Season that pressed his return,
Monsieur Constance went himself and pitched upon the fairest and most
commodious House of the Town, which belonged to a great Mandarin, a Persian
by Nation, and had it splendidly furnished". [1]
References:
[1] A Relation of the Voyage to Siam - Guy Tachard (1688) - Orchid Press, Bangkok
(1999) - page 148.
Wat Mae Nang Muk is also indicated on a mid-19th century map but named
Wat Noi Nang Muk (วัดนอยนางมุก). The monastery was situated just north of Wat
Kaew and west of Wat Sao Chingcha and Wat Khok Suea. The monastery stood on the
west bank of Khlong Pratu Jin and south of Talaeng Kaeng Road and Wat Chatthan.
The 19th-century map indicates the presence of a chedi.
Author above, links "Tuk Rap Khaek" to a Muslim presence. The Thai word "Khaek"
(แขค) refers generally to people of the Arabian peninsula, India or Pakistan, but should
be interpreted here as being "guest or visitor". Phraya Boran Rachathanin writes on his
map "Tuk Rap Khaek Mueang Farangset" (ตึกรับแขคเมืองฝรั่งเศส), which means
literally the "building to receive the guests of France".
The author however is indeed right when stating the area was a Muslim neighborhood.
The building where the first French Embassy was received, belonged to an influent
Persian Minister. Guy Tachard wrote: "The King of Siam had ordered a stately
House to be built for the Ambassador; but seeing it was not yet finished, and that
there was no delay to be made because of the Season that pressed his return,
Monsieur Constance went himself and pitched upon the fairest and most
commodious House of the Town, which belonged to a great Mandarin, a Persian
by Nation, and had it splendidly furnished". [1]
References:
[1] A Relation of the Voyage to Siam - Guy Tachard (1688) - Orchid Press, Bangkok
(1999) - page 148.
| Addendum by Tricky Vandenberg - January 2011 |
| Site view of Wat Mae Nang Muk. Pictures were taken on 2 January 2012. (Photographs by Tricky Vandenberg) |