History of Ayutthaya - Temples & Ruins

WAT PHRAO (วัดพร้าว)

Wat Phrao was located off the city island in the northern area in in Hua Ro Sub-district
along a small canal giving access to Khlong Hua Ro (the old Lopburi River). The word
"phrao" (พร้าว) is likely derived from "maphrao" (มะพร้าว) or coconut.

The monastery stood in an area called before Thung Kaeo or "crystal field", bordered on
the west and north by Khlong Sra Bua; on the east by Khlong Hua Ro opposite Wat
Sam Wihan. This can be seen on Phraya Boran Rachathanin's map drafted in 1926,
which indicates this temple.

In the Ayutthayan Era a market was held near the temple. “Talat Wat Phrao” was one of
the 30 land markets outside the city of Ayutthaya. In the manuscript "Testimony of the
king from Wat Pradu Songtham", a document likely compiled in the Early Ratanakosin
Period, is written that there was a land market at Wat Maphrao beside Ban Yuan Thale
(1). At the village beside Wat Phrao, Indians and Thai made fragrant powder and oil,
krajae scented water, krajae incense sticks, kradat incense sticks, and perfumes for sale.
[1][2][3]

The land of the former temple site was leveled shortly before a visit in December
2008. A boundary stone (bai sema) seemingly on its original pedestal and presumed to
have belonged to the former temple, can still be seen on a private property in the
immediate vicinity.

The history of Wat Phrao and its construction date are unknown.

The monastery is indicated on 1974, 1993 and 2007 Fine Arts Department
(FAD) maps. The 2007 FAD map indicates Wat Phrao in Geo Coord: 14° 22' 21.04"
N, 100° 34' 7.89" E. Following the contact I had with the villagers, the temple must have
been situated in Geo Coord: 14° 22' 17.59" N, 100° 34' 7.89" E.

Footnotes:

(1) The village of the sea Vietnamese.

References:

[1] Geographical description of Ayutthaya: Documents from the palace - Dr Winai
Pongsripian - Bangkok (2007).
[2] Note on the Testimonies and the Description of Ayutthaya - Chris Baker - Journal of
the Siam Society, Vol. 99, 2011 - page 77 (paragraph on KWPS).
[3] Markets and Production in the City of Ayutthaya before 1767: Translation and
Analysis of Part of the Description of Ayutthaya - Chris Baker - Journal of the Siam
Society, Vol. 99, 2011- page 52-3.