| WAT KRASANG (วัดกระสังค์) |
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| Wat Krasang is located off the city island in the eastern part of the city. It can be a bit difficult to find. The best way to see this active monastery is to turn northward on Rojana Road at the busy intersection before Grand Street. It is easier to reach by boat. This temple is situated at the intersection of two canals. Khlong Hantra (the old Pa Sak River) flows in front of this monastery from the north. The second canal moves in an east/west axis. During the Ayutthaya period, this second canal could be taken all the way to Nakhon Nayok through various switchbacks. The canal’s name changes according to where it is situated. It is known at the confluence as Khlong Wat Krasang, but its name changes to Khlong Ban Bat as it leads toward the city. Further eastward, it is known as Khlong Khao Mao, Khlong Khoi Thon, and by other names. This canal is presently blocked by a water gate next to Wat Krasang, and it can’t be taken any further than the Asian Highway when the gate is open. It should also be noted that Wat Krasang once had a small canal running beside it from north to south. The mouth of this canal began at this monastery, but it has since been buried. This canal may have marked the outer boundaries of the ancient settlement known as Ayodhya. Maps suggest that it was a continuation of the old Pa Sak River (Khlong Hantra) and that it may have curved westward ultimately to the Chao Phraya River - passing by important monasteries such as Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon and Wat Phanan Choeng. These city walls, which were made from mud and rice husks, were pushed over to develop additional rice fields, and there is little evidence of them today. More research is needed on this subject. There isn’t much known about this temple’s early history (or if it even existed during the Ayutthaya period). However, the Ayutthaya Historical Studies Center points out that there were five toll houses (khanon) located within the boundaries of the ancient city, and one of these was situated in close vicinity to Wat Krasang. During the reign of King Songtham (1610-1628), three clauses were added to Royal Criminal Law (36, 37, & 38) that prohibited the smuggling of contraband as well as the evasion of trade tax. Vessels traveling along this canal were required to stop and pay tax. Harsh penalties faced those who violated this law including expensive fines and the confiscation of merchandise (Chatthip 44). It is plausible that a small temple once existed beside this toll house, since this countryside route was important for trading activity. Merchants might have visited such a temple while being stopped by government officials. Wat Krasang is a fully functioning monastery with Buddhist clergy. Therefore, it has all the required structures for providing services to the lay community. Every structure in situ is designed in the style of the Bangkok period. The temple’s ordination hall is its primary structure, and it is situated at an east/east axis (parallel to the canal beside it). This building is surrounded by an outer wall and arched gateways. Its gable is adorned with mirrored-tiles and gold-painted decorations. In front of this ubosot’s portico is the monastery’s principle chedi. This Bangkok-period structure is constructed with seven tiers leading to a lotus encircled relic chamber. This is bell shaped with redentations. Its spire is complete with seven rings and a finial. In addition, there are several Buddha images around the ordination hall. These are modern construction in various poses. Based on the modern structures in situ, there is not much evidence that this monastery existed during the Ayutthaya period. |
| Text & photographs by Ken May Updated February 2014 |
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| (Detail of a 1993 Fine Arts Department map - Courtesy Khun Supot Prommanot, Director of the 3th Regional Office of Fine Arts) |
