Wat Chaiwatthanaram
วัดไชยวัฒนาราม
A cluster of Khmer-style prangs on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River, laid out after Angkor Wat. It is Ayutthaya's best-preserved and most photogenic temple, especially spectacular at sunset and when lit up at night.
Wat Chaiwatthanaram lies on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River, on the west side of the old city island. King Prasat Thong built it in 1630 in memory of his mother. Its layout follows Angkor Wat. A central Khmer prang 35 m tall represents Mount Meru, with a smaller prang at each of the four corners. The surrounding gallery holds eight meru-style shrines and 120 Buddha statues, most of them damaged, symbolizing the Buddhist view of the cosmos. The temple was abandoned after Burmese forces sacked it in 1767. It was restored between 1987 and 1992 and is Ayutthaya's best-preserved site and most photogenic ruin. After the Thai drama Made for Each Other was filmed here, it became a popular spot for Thai visitors to take photos in traditional Thai dress. Several costume rental shops outside the temple charge from about 200 to 300 baht. The best time to visit is the evening, when the red-brick prangs turn golden at sunset. From about 19:00 to 21:00 the temple is illuminated, and you can enjoy the night view from the riverbank outside or from restaurants on the opposite bank. Tickets cost 50 baht, included in the 220 baht combo pass. Opening hours are 08:00 to 18:00. Getting there: it is about 5 km from Wat Mahathat, roughly 20 minutes by bicycle including a bridge crossing, and a tuk-tuk one way costs about 100 to 150 baht. You can also rent a long-tail boat at the riverside pier to arrive by water. Notes: you can climb the prangs, but the steps are steep. When taking photos in Thai dress, do not step on the broken Buddha statues. When the Chao Phraya is high at the end of the rainy season, the lawn in front of the temple may be flooded.
Opening hours
08:00–18:00 (night illumination approx. 19:00–21:00, viewable from outside the temple)
Nearby sights
- Wat Kasattrathirat
- St. Joseph's Church
- Chedi Sri Suriyothai
- Wat Lokayasutharam
- Portuguese Settlement
- Wat Phutthaisawan
- Wihan Phra Mongkhon Bophit
- Wat Phra Si Sanphet