| WAT SURINTHARACHA (วัดสุรินทราชา) |
Wat Surintharacha was situated off the city island in the northern area of Ayutthaya in
Tha Wasukri sub-district. The temple was located north of Wat Choeng Tha and the
Dock of the Royal barges in a locality called Thung Khwan.
Thung Khwan (ควัน) or "field of fumes" is an area north of the city of Ayutthaya
bordered on the north by Thung Lum Phli, on the east by Khlong Sra Bua and Thung
Kaeo, in the south by the old Lopburi River and in the west by Thung Phukhao Thong.
In situ is a brick mound covered with vegetation.
Historical data about the monastery and its construction are unknown.
The temple has been likely named after its founder, Phraya Surintharacha, a Siamese
nobleman at the Court. Chao Phraya or Phraya Surintharacha was a title conferred by
the king. The real name of the founder remains as thus unknown. The denomination
of this temple goes at par with for example Wat Bot Racha Decha, a temple dedicated
to one of the commanding officers under the Kalahom. Here also Racha Decha is a title.
In "The Thalang Letters" we find a Chao Phraya Surintharacha in the reign of King
Suriyamarin (r. 1758-1767): "Chao Phya Surintharacha was the son of a high
official of the reign of the last king of Ayuthaya. He served in the capital and later
went to Nakhon Si Thammarat where he was made Uparat (vice-chief) by the
ruler. When the latter was punished by Tak Sin, Chao Phya Surintharacha was
given another post in the capital. He had married into the family of the rulers of
Nakhon Si Thammarat. He then went back to the provinces. Though long resident
in the area he does not seem to have been connected with the old Thalang family."
[1]
The monastery is only indicated on a 1993 Fine Arts Department (FAD) maps.
The ruins of temple are situated in Geo Coord: +14° 21' 51.96" N, +100° 33' 17.17" E.
References:
[1] The Thalang Letters, 1773-94: Political Aspects and the Trade in Arms Author(s): E.
H. S. Simmonds - page 609 & 610.
Tha Wasukri sub-district. The temple was located north of Wat Choeng Tha and the
Dock of the Royal barges in a locality called Thung Khwan.
Thung Khwan (ควัน) or "field of fumes" is an area north of the city of Ayutthaya
bordered on the north by Thung Lum Phli, on the east by Khlong Sra Bua and Thung
Kaeo, in the south by the old Lopburi River and in the west by Thung Phukhao Thong.
In situ is a brick mound covered with vegetation.
Historical data about the monastery and its construction are unknown.
The temple has been likely named after its founder, Phraya Surintharacha, a Siamese
nobleman at the Court. Chao Phraya or Phraya Surintharacha was a title conferred by
the king. The real name of the founder remains as thus unknown. The denomination
of this temple goes at par with for example Wat Bot Racha Decha, a temple dedicated
to one of the commanding officers under the Kalahom. Here also Racha Decha is a title.
In "The Thalang Letters" we find a Chao Phraya Surintharacha in the reign of King
Suriyamarin (r. 1758-1767): "Chao Phya Surintharacha was the son of a high
official of the reign of the last king of Ayuthaya. He served in the capital and later
went to Nakhon Si Thammarat where he was made Uparat (vice-chief) by the
ruler. When the latter was punished by Tak Sin, Chao Phya Surintharacha was
given another post in the capital. He had married into the family of the rulers of
Nakhon Si Thammarat. He then went back to the provinces. Though long resident
in the area he does not seem to have been connected with the old Thalang family."
[1]
The monastery is only indicated on a 1993 Fine Arts Department (FAD) maps.
The ruins of temple are situated in Geo Coord: +14° 21' 51.96" N, +100° 33' 17.17" E.
References:
[1] The Thalang Letters, 1773-94: Political Aspects and the Trade in Arms Author(s): E.
H. S. Simmonds - page 609 & 610.
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| Text, maps & photographs by Tricky Vandenberg - May 2009 Reviewed September 2011 |
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| (Brickwork overgrown by a tree) |
| (Remaining brickwork) |
| (Remaining brickwork) |
| (Treasure farmer's pit - remaining brickwork) |
| (Extract of a 1993 Fine Arts Department map - Courtesy Khun Supot Prommanot, Director of the 3th Regional Office of Fine Arts) |
