| WAT SOM (วัดส้ม) |
Wat Som or the "Monastery of the Citrus Fruit" is situated in the Historical Park in
Pratu Chai sub-district, east of Khlong Tho (former Khlong Chakra Yai) and east of
Somdet Phra Sri Nakharin Park. The temple is located northeast of Wat Ubosot.
There is no record of when exactly the monastery was established, however estimated
from the shape of its main Khmer-style prang and the decorative stucco the principal
prang should date back to the early Ayutthaya period. The prang has some of the best
preserved stucco ornaments of any temple in Ayutthaya. There are highly detailed
geometric patterns and a number of mythological figures - including Rahu eating the
moon during eclipse. Its lintels are especially worth a look. To the east of the prang lies
the foundations of a vihara.
A few years ago the Fine Arts Department uncovered to the north of its viharn, the base
of an octagonal chedi at approximately two meters below the ground surface. The same
depth as that of the original base of the principal prang unearthed in an earlier
excavation.[1]
The historical background of the temple is unknown. The site is indicated on a Fine Arts
Department map drafted in 1993 and on Phraya Boran Rachathanin's map of 1926.
Reference:
[1] Ayutthaya, a World Heritage (2000) - page 64/65.
Pratu Chai sub-district, east of Khlong Tho (former Khlong Chakra Yai) and east of
Somdet Phra Sri Nakharin Park. The temple is located northeast of Wat Ubosot.
There is no record of when exactly the monastery was established, however estimated
from the shape of its main Khmer-style prang and the decorative stucco the principal
prang should date back to the early Ayutthaya period. The prang has some of the best
preserved stucco ornaments of any temple in Ayutthaya. There are highly detailed
geometric patterns and a number of mythological figures - including Rahu eating the
moon during eclipse. Its lintels are especially worth a look. To the east of the prang lies
the foundations of a vihara.
A few years ago the Fine Arts Department uncovered to the north of its viharn, the base
of an octagonal chedi at approximately two meters below the ground surface. The same
depth as that of the original base of the principal prang unearthed in an earlier
excavation.[1]
The historical background of the temple is unknown. The site is indicated on a Fine Arts
Department map drafted in 1993 and on Phraya Boran Rachathanin's map of 1926.
Reference:
[1] Ayutthaya, a World Heritage (2000) - page 64/65.
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| Text & photographs by Tricky Vandenberg - April 2009 |
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Addendum
This temple is mentioned under the name Wat Som Noi on a mid-19th century map. On
this map, Wat Som Noi stood south of Wat Som Yai along the east bank of Khlong
Chakrai Yai. Wat Tong Pa Mo Noi stood southeast. Opposite Khlong Chakrai Yai and
on the southern bank of Khlong Klaeb stood Wat Yi Rai (1). The mid-19th century map
indicates no presence of a chedi or prang.
Taking as reference points Khlong Klaeb and Wat Hib on both maps, the location of
Wat Som Noi could be denominated on Phraya Boran Rachathanin's map as Wat Som.
If this should be the case, it remains an open question why Wat Som Noi was not
indicated with a prang-symbol (2) on the mid-19th century map.
Footnotes:
(1) It should be noted that Phraya Boran Rachathanin positioned Wat Yi Rai on the
northern bank of Khlong Klaeb. This temple is also called Wat Pi Rai.
(2) Circle with cross inside.
This temple is mentioned under the name Wat Som Noi on a mid-19th century map. On
this map, Wat Som Noi stood south of Wat Som Yai along the east bank of Khlong
Chakrai Yai. Wat Tong Pa Mo Noi stood southeast. Opposite Khlong Chakrai Yai and
on the southern bank of Khlong Klaeb stood Wat Yi Rai (1). The mid-19th century map
indicates no presence of a chedi or prang.
Taking as reference points Khlong Klaeb and Wat Hib on both maps, the location of
Wat Som Noi could be denominated on Phraya Boran Rachathanin's map as Wat Som.
If this should be the case, it remains an open question why Wat Som Noi was not
indicated with a prang-symbol (2) on the mid-19th century map.
Footnotes:
(1) It should be noted that Phraya Boran Rachathanin positioned Wat Yi Rai on the
northern bank of Khlong Klaeb. This temple is also called Wat Pi Rai.
(2) Circle with cross inside.
| Addendum & map by Tricky Vandenberg - February 2011 |
| (Extract of a mid-19th century map) |
| (Prang of Wat Som) |
| (View from the northeast) |
| (View from the east) |
| (View from the west) |