Wat Salak or the Monastery of the Chisel was situated on the city island in the central
area of Ayutthaya in Pratu Chai Sub-district.

The site is only mentioned on a
mid-19th century map.

The temple stood on the west bank of
Khlong Chakrai Yai and on the north bank of
Khlong Klaep
near the confluence of both canals. The monastery stood opposite Wat Pi
Rai on the other canal bank (be aware the 19th C map positions Wat Pi Rai on the south
bank of
Khlong Klaep, while Phraya Boran Rachathanin indicates the temple on the
north bank).

The position of Wat Salak is nearly identical as Wat Pi Rai (Wat Yi Rai) depicted on
Phraya Boran Rachathanin's 1926 map and the Fine Arts Department maps. The
monastery in this location as thus could bear two names.

The ancient site was cleared in the early 1970's during construction works of an
expansion project of the (former) Ayutthaya Agriculture School (Withayalai
Kasetrakam). There are no traces of foundations or brick work anymore at ground level
and the temple is classified as disappeared. [1]

In a document, the
Geographical description of Ayutthaya, we find Wat Salak being
indicated as
Wat Kuti Salak. [2] The Nang Hong (Lady Swan) Bridge linked Wat
Khwit Street (1) across Khlong Chakrai Yai with Wat Kuti Salak.

Historical data about the monastery and its construction is unknown.

Wat Salak should have been located in Geo. Coord.: 14° 20' 51.89" N, 100° 33'
20.92" E.

Footnotes:

(1) The street was likely named after the Khwit Monastery in its vicinity. Until today I
found no indication of this monastery on any map.

References:

[1] Bangkok Post - 09 Dec 1972 - Work suspended on Ayutthaya sites. The article
states that "machinery engaged on the Ayutthaya Agriculture School extensions ploughed
up the ruins of at least five temples in the disputed area". The work at the school was
stopped after students had sent a petition to the NEC. The Director General of the Fine
Arts Department at that time stated he was certain the damage had already been done.
[2] Phanna phumisathan Phra Nakhon Sri Ayutthaya: Ekasan jak Ho Luang -
Geographical description of Ayutthaya: Documents from the palace - Dr Winai
Pongsripian - Bangkok (2007) - page 35.
Text & map by Tricky Vandenberg - August 2011
Updated March 2013, April 2015
Detail of a 19th century map - map is orientated S-N
WAT SALAK 2 (วัดสลัก)
(Detail of a 19th century map - map is orientated S-N)