History of Ayutthaya - Temples & Ruins

WAT SAMPHAO LOM (วัดสำเภาล่ม)

Wat Samphao Lom or the Monastery of the Capsized Junk is still in use by the
Buddhist clergy. The temple is located off Ayutthaya's city island in the southern area,
east of Khlong Takhian in Pak Kran Sub-district.

The large ordination hall or ubosot has been completely renovated, hence its new name
Wat Tham Mai, the newly made monastery. Only the inner walls are somehow the last
remains of the old monastery. The interior of the renovated ubosot is very beautiful
decorated.

Historical data about the monastery and its construction is not known.

The site is mentioned on the Fine Arts Department maps but is not indicated on the
Phraya Boran Rachathanin's map of 1926.

Wat Samphao Lom is located in geographical coordinates: 14° 19' 52.06" N, 100° 32'
55.76" E.

The monastery bears the name of Samphao Lom Village. Ban Samphao Lom was
situated near the Chao Phraya River in present Samphao Lom Sub-district. The village is
found on the Monthon Krung Kao map (1916). John Bowring wrote: "Between the
modern and the ancient capital, Bangkok and Ayuthia, is a village called the
“Sunken Ship,” the houses being erected round a mast which towers above the
surface at low water." [1]

Reference:

[1] Bowring, John (1857) - The Kingdom and People of Siam Vol I - London, John W.
Parker and Son, West Strand - page 12.