History of Ayutthaya - Temples & Ruins

WAT NAK 2 (วัดนาก)

Wat Nak or the Monastery of the Naga is situated in the western area off Ayutthaya's
city island in Pak Kran sub-district, west of Khlong Takhian. The temple lies in the
vicinity of the present (new) active temple Wat Klang Khlong Takhian and its ancient
position. The remains of the monastery reside in an area covered with vegetation.

The monastery is mentioned on a mid-19th century map, but is not indicated on Phraya
Boran Rachathanin’s map of 1926. A Fine Arts Department map dating from 1993
positions Wat Nak surprisingly about 350 meters inland and not at the mouth of the
canal.

Its historical background and period of construction are not known.

Near Wat Nak was one of the former six southern ferries across the old Lopburi River -
at present the Chao Phraya River (1) - linking the monastery with Tha Wang Chai
(Palace of Victory Landing) near Wat Wang Chai. (2) [1]

The site is located in Geo Coord: 14° 20' 10.32" N, 100° 32' 45.31" E.

Footnotes:

(1) The Chao Phraya River has been deviated into the river bed of the old Lopburi River
in the post-Ayutthayan era anno 1857. See the essay: Ayutthaya's ever-changing
waterways.
(2) In Ayutthayan times there were twenty-two ferry routes between the main land and
the city island. In the southern area, the five other crossings were: the crossing to Wat
Phanan Choeng, Tha Hoi to Wat Pa Jak, Tha Phra Racha Wangsan to Wat Khun
Phrom, Tha Dan Chi to Wat Surintharam and Tha Chakrai Noi to Wat Tha Rap. [1]
See "The Boat & Ferry Landings of Ayutthaya".

References:

[1] Athibai Phaenthi Phra Nakhon Sri Ayutthaya kap khamwinitjai khong Phraya Boran
Racha Thanin - Explanation of the map of the Capital of Ayutthaya with a ruling of
Phraya Boran Rachathanin - Revised 2nd edition and Geography of the Ayutthaya
Kingdom - Ton Chabab print office - Nonthaburi (2007) - page 91.