AYUTTHAYA HISTORICAL RESEARCH



WAT CHANG (3)





Wat Chang, or the Monastery of the Elephant, was situated on the city island in the southwestern area of Ayutthaya in the Pratu Chai Sub-district. The monastery stood on the north bank of Khlong Tha Phra. (1)


The former temple was situated just north of Wat Cho on the opposite side of the canal. In its immediate vicinity were Wat Satdichon, Wat Pa Sai and Wat Pa Sathon. In situ is a ruin covered in vegetation, lying behind private property. The foundation of a chedi with a broken spire remains visible.


Historical data about the monastery and its construction is unknown.


Maps


The 19th-century map from an unknown surveyor shows Wat Chang along Khlong Tha Phra and near the Khlong Klaep Gate (Khlong Tha Phra Gate), north of Wat Phra Ngam (opposite the canal), south of Wat Kradichon and west of Wat Jom Thong on the same side of the canal. There is no marking of a stupa.


The site is mentioned on Phraya Boran Ratchathanin's [PBR] map drafted in 1926 CE in a nearly identical position as on a 19th century map. Phraya Boran (1871-1936 CE) was the Superintendent Commissioner of Monthon Ayutthaya from 1925 till 1929 CE. PBR curiously indicates some other temples near Wat Chang: south of Wat Chang, still on the north bank of Khlong Tha Phra, he draws Wat Pa Sathon, in the south Wat Satdichon and Wat Pa Sai. On the south bank (opposite), he indicates Wat Phra Ngam and Wat Cho.


A 2007 Fine Arts Department (FAD) map based on conducted excavations shows the location as a cluster of three temples Wat Chang, Wat Satdichon and Wat Pa Sai. Wat Pa Sathon is indicated on the south bank west of Wat Cho.


I conclude that the cluster was part of one single monastery, being Wat Chang, due to their proximity.


Wat Chang is in geographical coordinates: 14° 20' 49.82" N, 100° 32' 44.99" E. For the record, the locals at the time of our visit called this location Wat Cho.





(View of Wat Chang – Picture taken July 2009 CE)



Latest


The site of Wat Chang is part of an archaeological project, budgeted at 768,500 Baht and initiated by the Office of Fine Arts Region 3. The project comprises the excavation, restoration, and preparation of restoration plans for the ancient site of Wat Chang. It began on 12 September 2025 and will be finalised on 10 March 2026 CE.


In situ is a partially excavated ruin. The site's view is a bit chaotic. As I see it, there was a monastic hall, likely with a chedi on the west side, and next to it a smaller hall with a chedi whose larger parts have crumbled, with bricks scattered across the ground.


As the excavation nears completion, we will have to wait for the temple ground plan to be established. The construction uses traditional reddish-brown bricks typical of Ayutthaya-era temples. The structure is in ruins, with erosion and collapse evident, as vines, roots, and vegetation grow through and over the bricks, revealing centuries of abandonment. The bricks show signs of fading and erosion, highlighting the passage of time.


Footnotes:


(1) Khlong Tha Phra is also known as Khlong Klaep. It is a defunct canal on Ayutthaya's city island, and some stretches can still be seen today on the western side. The canal originated at the Tha Phra Gate and ended at the confluence with Khlong Chakrai Yai. Beyond this confluence, it continued east as Khlong Pa Mo. Khlong Klaep continued west on the opposite side of the old Lopburi River (present Chao Phraya River), bypassing Tamnak Phra Jao Prasat Thong in the direction of Wat Suren.



Selected PICTURES



Pictures taken July 2009 CE



Pictures taken March 2026 CE



MAPS



Map 1 - Detail of a 19th-century map. Courtesy of the Sam Chao Phraya Museum. Remark: the map is oriented south.
Map 2 - Detail of Phraya Boran Rachathanin's map 1926 CE. Wat Suwandararam, Ayutthaya.
Map 3 - Detail of a 1993 Fine Arts Department map. Courtesy Khun Supot Prommanot, Director of the 3rd Regional Office of Fine Arts.
Map 4 - Detail of a 2007 Fine Arts Department GIS map. Courtesy of the Fine Arts Department 3rd Region.
Map 5 - Google Earth.



When the past no longer illuminates the future, the spirit walks in darkness.
(Alexis de Tocqueville)





HISTORY OF AYUTTHAYA



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