Wat Jan, or the Monastery of the Moon (1), was located outside the city island in the eastern area of Ayutthaya, in the Kramang Sub-district, opposite the train station.
Wat Jan stood on the east bank of the Front City Canal (2), at present, the Pa Sak River. The monastery stood between Wat Yom Thai (Wat Thamma Niyom) and Wat Phichai Songkhram. Wat Chang (Wat Luang Pho Hak) was east.
No visible traces remain of this monastery at ground level.
A Ficus Religiosa or Bodhi tree was found just north of the street leading from the ferry to the train station, likely indicating the premises of this old temple.
Its historical background and period of construction are unknown.
The temple is mentioned on Phraya Boran Rachathanin's (PBR) map drafted in 1926 CE, but it also shows on a map drawn in the 19th century.
On the PBR map, the temple is called "Monastery of the Moon" (วัดจันทร์), while on the other map, it is called "Monastery of the Gold Apple" (วัดจัน) (3).
The site is in geographical coordinates: 14° 21' 24.38" N, 100° 34' 53.84" E.
There are five other sites bearing the same name, but they are all situated on the city island.
Footnotes:
(1) The denomination of the temple on Phraya Boran Rachathanin’s 1926 CE map has here been followed.
(2) Khlong Na Mueang or Khu Na (Front moat) ran east of the city of Ayutthaya. The former moat is said to have been dug during the reign of King Ramathibodhi I (1351-1369 CE). It was initially a defensive moat or could have been a separation ditch (borderline) between the ancient city of Ayodhya, situated in the oxbow of the Pa Sak River, and the newly established city of Ayutthaya in the oxbow of the Lopburi River.
(3) Chan (Diospyros Packmanil - C. B. Clarke) is a tall tree that bears yellow fruit. When ripe, the shape of the fruit resembles the moon. Hence its name. The tree was not usually grown in the house compound but was found in monasteries and the royal palace compounds. If a person dares to plant such trees in his residential compound, misfortune will occur sooner or later to the owner. [1]
References:
[1] Rajadhon, Anuman (1961). Some Siamese Superstitions about trees and plants. Journal of the Siam Society. Vol 49.1. p. 59.
