Wat Lokayasutharam
วัดโลกยสุธาราม
A 42-metre reclining Buddha in the fields northwest of the Old City. The rest of the temple is gone, making it Ayutthaya's most evocative free attraction.
Wat Lokayasutharam lies in the northwest of the Old City island, about 1 km west of Wat Phra Si Sanphet. The temple was built in the middle Ayutthaya period, but after 1767 it was almost entirely razed. All that remains is a giant brick-and-stucco reclining Buddha, about 42 m long and 8 m high, lying in an open field with its head resting on a lotus and facing east. It was restored in 1954 and has become one of Ayutthaya's landmarks.
Worshippers often drape orange robes over the Buddha. There is a small shrine in front of the statue where incense and candles can be offered (20 baht), and vendors nearby sell flower garlands and cold drinks. There is no wall or entrance fee, and the site is open all day. It is best visited early in the morning or in the evening, when soft light suits photographing the full reclining Buddha.
Nearby are the small, free ruins of Wat Worachettharam and Wat Worapho, which you can see on the way. Getting there: about 5 minutes by bicycle from Wat Phra Si Sanphet, or visit on a tuk-tuk island circuit. Allow about 20–30 minutes.
Note: Do not climb onto the base in front of the reclining Buddha. Avoid turning your back to the statue or striking disrespectful poses in photos. Mosquitoes are common in the surrounding grass.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Wihan Phra Mongkhon Bophit
- Wat Phra Si Sanphet
- Chedi Sri Suriyothai
- Wat Kasattrathirat
- Wat Phra Ram
- Wat Thammikarat
- Chao Sam Phraya National Museum
- Wat Na Phra Men