History of Ayutthaya - Temples & Ruins

WAT KLUEI (วัดกล้วย)

Wat Kluei or the Banana Monastery is an active temple located off the city island in
the eastern area in Kramang sub-district. The monastery is situated on the east bank of
the Pa Sak River. The temple can be reached by taking the road (No 3477) parallel with
the railway and south of the Pridi Phanomyong Bridge. North of the temple is Wat
Phichai Songkhram and south lies Wat Ko Kae o.

In situ is a rather small monastic complex. The ordination hall (Th: ubosot) stands in the
classic east-west alignment facing the Pa Sak river. The ubosot, built in the Late
Ayutthaya style, has two elevated porches each with four columns supporting the two-
tiered roof. Each porch has two entries. The southern and northern walls have three
rectangular windows. The structure is surrounded by an inner wall, called kamphaeng
kaeo (crystal wall), separating the monastic world from the secular world.

The temple is mentioned in the Royal Chronicles of Ayutthaya as being the place where
Luang Saraseni with his followers set up camp in December 1766. The Phraya of Tak
was promoted to Phraya Kamphaeng Phet by the Siamese King Suriyamin (Ekathat)
and appointed as a brigade commander of a boat army that he had to constitute at Wat
Yai Chai Mongkhon in order to confront the Burmese in the open plains southeast of
Ayutthaya.

Phraya Kamphaeng Phet assigned the Phraya of Phetburi as his front guard, while Luang
Saraseni’s troops were in support. The front guard consisting of five fighting boats got in
contact with the enemy. The boats of the Phraya of Phetburi got completely encircled by
the numerous boats of the Burmese. Phraya Kamphaeng Phet and Luang Saraseni
moored their boats, watched but did not advance to reinforce the front guard. The
troops of the Phraya of Phetburi were slain and the latter, after a heroic battle, was
impaled by the Burmese. Phraya Kamphaeng Phet and Luang Saraseni fled the scene,
did not return to the capital and set up stockades respectively near Wat Phichai and the
adjacent Wat Kluei.

Phraya Kamphaeng Phet, likely convinced that Ayutthaya would been soon lost to the
Burmese, decided to seek his fortune in the south, while Luang Saraseni went his own
way and fled elsewhere. [1]

Its historical background and period of construction are unknown. Wat Kluei is indicated
on Valentyn's map "Groote Siamse Rievier Me-Nam Of Te Moeder Der Wateren In
haren loop met de vallende Spruyten Verbeeld" as Wat Kloy. [2] We find the
monastery also on a map drafted in the mid-19th century and on Phraya Bo ran
Rachathanin's map (1926).

Wat Kluei is located in Geo Coord: 14° 21' 2.72" N, 100° 34' 57.07" E.

References:

[1] The Royal Chronicles of Ayutthaya - Richard D. Cushman - Page 512-514 / Source:
Phan Canthanumat, British Museum, Reverend Phonnarat & Royal Autograph.
[2] Valentyn, François - Oud en Nieuw Oost-Indiën (1626) - Deel 3 - Boek 6 -
Beschryvinge van Siam en onsen Handel aldaar.