Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon
วัดใหญ่ชัยมงคล
A 62 m victory chedi built by King Naresuan to commemorate his triumph over Burma, surrounded by neat rows of saffron-robed Buddha statues. It is a living temple where incense offerings remain lively.
Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon lies just outside the southeastern bank of the old city island. In 1357, King U-Thong built it for monks returning from studying in Sri Lanka, and it was originally called the Great Zen Temple. In 1592, after King Naresuan defeated the Burmese crown prince in a duel on elephant back, he ordered the construction of the Victory Chedi (Chedi Chai Mongkhon), about 62 m tall, to commemorate his victory. Small chedis stand at each of the four corners of its base. Steep steps lead up to the middle level of the chedi, where you can look over the whole temple and the surrounding fields. In front of the chedi's shrine hall, dozens of seated Buddha statues in saffron robes sit in rows, creating one of the most photographed scenes in Ayutthaya against the red-brick chedi. The temple also has a reclining Buddha about 7 m long, draped in saffron cloth and set outdoors, and a memorial hall for King Naresuan the Great. Unlike the ruins on the island, this is a living temple with resident monks, where locals come to pray for peace, offering a glimpse of local faith. Tickets cost 20 baht. Opening hours are 08:00 to 17:00. It is about 3 km from the train station, roughly 10 minutes by bicycle or tuk-tuk. It is usually visited together with Wat Phanan Choeng, 2 km to the south, before heading back to the island. Notes: the chedi steps are steep and high, so wear sneakers. Remove your shoes inside the halls, and cover your shoulders and knees. Do not sit beside the Buddha statues when taking photos.
Opening hours
08:00–17:00
Nearby sights
- Wat Phanan Choeng
- Ayothaya Floating Market
- Baan Hollanda
- Wat Maheyong
- Japanese Village
- Chantharakasem Palace
- Ayutthaya Historical Study Centre
- Wat Mahathat