History of Ayutthaya - Temples & Ruins

TAMNAK MAHEYONG (ตำหนักสมเด็จ)

Tamnak Maheyong or the Royal Residence of Maheyong is a restored ruin. The
brick building has a length of 24.80 m and width of 10.5 m. The western styled structure
had two floors and was surrounded by a moat. Inside the building there were two rows
of six pillars, supporting the upper floor. The walls have square shaped windows
upstairs, while downstairs they are lotus petal shaped.

Tamnak Maheyong was built by King Tai Sa (Phumintharacha) in 1711 AD in order to
follow the renovation of Wat Mahe y ong from close by. The renovation of the latter took
three years; the king stayed in this residence from one to three months at a time.

In that year of the ox, first of the decade, a holy royal command was issued to
have artisans restore the Monastery of the Mound. His Majesty constantly went
in holy royal procession to have the artisans perform the work on that monastery.
Occasionally, however, His Majesty stayed at a holy residence beside the
Monastery of the Mound, sometimes for one month, sometimes for two months,
and administered royal affairs in that place. It was more than three years before
that monastery was completely finished. [1] (1)

The pavilion is located outside the city island in Phai Ling Sub-district, south of Wat
Maheyong.

The site is called Wat Rang on a 1974 Fine arts Department map and Wat Tha Bua
(วัดท่าบัว) (1) on a 1993 Fine Arts Department map.

The Maheyong Royal Pavilion is located in geographical coordinates: 14° 21' 45.38" N,
100° 35' 42.58" E.

Footnotes:

(1) I believe that Wat Maheyong was earlier called Wat Khok or the Monastery of the
Mound.
(2) The Monastery of the Landing of the Lotus.

References:

[1] The Royal Chronicles of Ayutthaya - Richard D. Cushman (2006) - page 404 /
Source: British Museum, Reverend Phonnarat, Royal Autograph and Chronicle source
unknown - Renovations at Various Monasteries.