Wat Phra Ram วัดพระราม , Ayutthaya, Thailand

Wat Phra Ram, Ayutthaya (30 December, 2002)


Wat Phra Ram (GPS: 14.35416, 100.56178; วัดพระราม ) are the ruins of an ancient Thai Buddhist temple in Ayutthaya, Thailand. It is said to be one of the loveliest and best preserved temple ruin in the city.

Wat Phra Ram is the first of three major Ayutthaya temples to be built in the 14th to 15th centuries. Construction of Wat Phra Ram began in 1369. It was initiated by King Ramesuan in that year, on the site of the cremation ground of his father, King U-Thong. However, King Ramesuan reigned for only one year, before his throne was taken over by King Borom Rachathirat I.

It is not known whether construction stopped, or whether Borom Rachathirat I allowed construction to continue. The wat was possibly completed only when King Ramesuan returned to the throne the second time, in 1388.

The central feature of Wat Phra Ram is its prang. It marks the spot where King Ramathibodi, the first king of Ayutthaya, was cremated. That prang built in 1374 does not last till today. It was rebuilt in the 15th century, and again in the 18th.

The temple fell into disrepair after that, but since it was so near the Royal Palace, it was restored on several occasions, and new buildings were added to it. Major renovations were carried out under the reign of King Borom Trai-Lokkanat (1448-1488), King Borommakot (1733-1758) and also in 1941.

Wat Phra Ram has a distinctive prang (corncob-shaped chedi) with a gallery of stucco naga, garuda and statues of the Buddha. There used to be a swamp beside the temple, called Nong Sano. It was renamed Phra Ram Swamp, and turned into a lotus pond where it remains so until today.

Elephants bringing tourists to view Wat Phra Ram, Ayutthaya (30 December, 2002)


A line of chedis on the western side of Wat Phra Ram, Ayutthaya (30 December, 2002)


The main prang of Wat Phra Ram, with elephants bringing tourists. (30 December, 2002)

Wat Phra Ram on Google Street View

Wat Phra Ram (Feb 2015)

Wat Phra Ram is on the map of Ayutthaya

List of Wats in Ayutthaya and Wats in Thailand

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