| WAT JAN PRATHET (วัดจันทร์ประเทศ) |
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| Wat Jan Prathet is an active monastery situated off the city island in the northwestern area of Ayutthaya in Ban Mai sub-district, Moo 6. The temple is situated on the east bank of the Chao Phraya River in the vicinity of Wat Bamrung Tham and on the north bank of a canal which has its mouth at the Chao Phraya River. In situ is a classic monastic complex build. A beautiful decorated entry gate leads into the temple grounds. The monastic buildings are all aligned in a northeast-southwest alignment. The ordination hall (Th: ubosot), facing the canal, has two elevated porches with two entries in the front and the back. The roof is three-tiered and there are five rectangular windows on the longest sides. The hall is surrounded by a wall (Th: Kamphaeng kaeo or crystal wall), separating the monastic world from the secular world. On the premises is a beautiful example of a classic "Ho Trai" or library building. The building stands on stilts, three meters above a pond to protect the precious scriptures - traditionally written on palm leaves - from insects. The Ho Trai has a two-tiered roof and is surrounded by a gallery to keep the rain out. It has two entry doors in the front and the back; and three windows on the longest sides. The temple has been established around 1837 by a Lao community descending from Vientiane during the reign of King Rama III. In 1829, Siam destroyed all the buildings in the environs of Vientiane and removed the population for resettlement in Lopburi, Saraburi, Suphanburi and Nakhon Chaisi provinces. (1) The community who built this temple was likely belonging to this group of forced resettlers. [1] Footnotes: In January 1827, Laos under Chao Anu invaded Siam and the Lao army swept through the Korat plateau, with the intention to take Bangkok. The Laotians were halted south of Saraburi. The Siamese army marched up, defeated the Lao army at Nong Bua Lamphu and occupied Vientiane until Februari 1828, leaving behind a small garrison. Rama III wanted Vientiane destroyed. In august Anu recaptured Vientiane. Siam reacted immediately. Anu was beaten in October and detained. Vientiane and surroundings were flattened, with exception of the Buddhist temples and the population removed for resettlement. [1] References: [1] Thailand, A Short History - David K. Wyatt (2003) - page 155. |
| Text & photographs by Tricky Vandenberg - January 2010 |
| (Ordination hall or ubosot) |
| (Ordination hall or ubosot) |
| (Ho trai or library building) |
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| (Entry gate of Wat Jan Prathet) |