History of Ayutthaya - Temples & Ruins

WAT KHO (วัดโค)

Wat Kho or the Monastery of the Bull was located on the city island in the eastern area
in Ho Ratanachai Sub-district. The temple was situated north of Wat Suwan D araram
and east of Khlong Nai Kai presently called Khlong Makham Riang. Wat Kho and Wat
Krabue lie just opposite of each other while Wat Ho Rakhang was situated in its north-
west.

The monastery is mentioned in the Royal Chronicles of Ayutthaya. It was in this area that
the Siamese army of Phra Maha Thep retreated and regrouped after their stockade on
Crystal Island was overrun by the Burmese in their attack of Ayutthaya in 1569.

The Burmese principal effort seems to have occurred in the south east as the northern,
western and southern flanks of the city were protected by the rivers, being a natural
barrier. The eastern side of the city was easily prone to attack as no real defense line
existed. The Pa Sak River did not change its course yet, and a large tract of land - only
partially cut by some shallow irrigation canals - lie in front of the city. The troops of
Prince Thammaracha from Phitsanulok and the Burmese Uparat (second to the King of
Hongsa) advanced over Kaeo Island (Crystal Island - the actual location of Wat Ko
Kae o) towards the city.

The army of Phra Maha Thep was routed and he retreated to regroup in the area in front
of Kho Monastery and Krabue Monastery. Being routed again and withdrawing to
regroup in the vicinage of Phao Khao Monastery, his broken forces were so scattered
and repeatedly separated that they could not reform their lines. The enemy thus, was able
to enter the city of Ayutthaya on 30 August 1569, leading to its first fall. [1]

"The King of Hongsawadi, being so informed, designated all the [CDEF:
highranking nobles,] military officers [CEF: and soldiers] who were to [BCDF: go
in to] take the Capital and organized his soldiers into four divisions. One division,
dressed in black tunics, was armed with sword and shield; another division, dressed
in green tunics, was armed with a sword in each hand; a third division, dressed in
red tunics, was armed with matchlocks; the last division, dressed in purple tunics,
was armed with spears [BDEF: , tasseled lances,] and swords worn suspended
from one shoulder down across the chest. Then the King of Hongsawadi ordered
Prince Thammaracha and the Uparat to command these troops and lead them in
along the Kæo Island causeway, and the King of Ava and the King of Præ to
advance from their positions, so that they all advanced along the three causeways
at the same time. The officials sent down a rain of flaming arrows, long pointed
iron bars, and long sharpened bamboo sticks which hit and killed the [BEF:
Hongsawadi] soldiers in great numbers. The enemy troops, however, did not
retreat, but unceasingly pressed forward and steadily reinforced each other. The
noise of the troops and the din of the guns resounded as though the earth were
quaking. And the army of Prince Thammaracha and the Uparat attacked, forced
their way into and captured the stockade of Phra Maha Thep. Phra Maha Thep
was routed and retreated to regroup in the area in front of Kho Monastery and
Krabü Monastery. Being routed again and withdrawing to regroup in the Vicinage
of Phao Khao Monastery, his broken forces were so [B: scattered and] [CDEF:
repeatedly] separated that they could not reform their lines and the enemy was
able to enter the city." [1]

There are no traces any more of the former monastery and it is classified as defunct. The
exact date of its construction is not known. The temple is indicated on Phraya Boran
Rachathanin’s map drafted in 1926. On his map is indicated that at that time a brick road
ran in between Wat Kho and Wat Krabue. This brick road at a later stage in the 20th
century became the Rojana Rd.

From the old texts we can deduct that Wat Kho was situated near Field Quarter Road
where the Wat Ngua Khwai Market was located. Mon, Burmese, and Khaek
(meaning Indian or Malay) slaughtered here ducks and chickens for sale in great
quantities. When King Borommakot (reigned 1733-1758) ascended the throne, he took
pity on animals and commanded the enactment of a law forbidding slaughter of ducks
and chickens for sale by those who believed in Buddhism, but allowing non-believers to
slaughter according to the fate of the animal. [2]

Wat Kho features in the "Description of Ayutthaya" and on a mid-19th century map
under the name Wat Wua. [3]

The site must have been approximately located in geographical coordinates: 14° 21'
3.86" N, 100° 34' 41.73" E.

References:

[1] Richard D. Cushman (2006). The Royal Chronicles of Ayutthaya - page 73 / Source:
Phan Canthanumat, British Museum, Reverend Phonnarat, Phra Cakkraphatdiphong &
Royal Autograph - Final Hongsawadi Attack and Fall of Ayutthaya, 1569.
[2] Chris Baker - Before Ayutthaya Fell: Economic Life in an Industrious Society -
Markets and Production in the City of Ayutthaya before 1767: Translation and Analysis
of Part of the Description of Ayutthaya - Journal of the Siam Society, Vol. 99, 2011 -
page 64.
[3] Boran Rachathanin, Phraya. Athibai phaenthi phra nakhon si ayutthaya [Description
of Ayutthaya]. Bangkok: Ton chabap, 2007 [1929].