Wat Phu Khao Thong วัดภูเขาทอง , Ayutthaya

Wat Phu Khao Thong, Ayutthaya (30 December, 2002)


Wat Phu Khao Thong (GPS: 14.36906, 100.53978; วัดภูเขาทอง ) is a Thai Buddhist temple in Ayutthaya, Thailand. It was built around the field which was once a battlefield between the Siamese, headed by King Naresuan, and the Burmese. The Monument of King Naresuan the Great is sites to the front of the wat.

The Burmese was a powerful kingdom in the mid 16th century. When King Chakrapat died in 1569, the power of Ayutthaya was at a low ebb. The new King Mahin had just ascended the throne when the Burmese, headed by King Bhueng Noreng, launched an offensive against Ayutthaya.

After a siege of ten months, Ayutthaya fell to the Burmese. In celebration of his victory, King Bhueng Noreng constructed a Mon-style pagoda in Ayutthaya. This landmark, the 80m (260ft) Chedi Wat Phu Khao Thong, or Golden Mount, is one of the tallest pagodas in Ayutthaya. It is situated outside the island city, on the northwest, at Wat Phu Khao Thong.

King Mahin and his family were taken prisoner to Burma, while a new King Maha Thammaracha was installed by the Burmese, for Ayutthaya to act as vassal to Burma. Although King Maha Thammaracha came into power with Burmese help, he really wanted them out. So he and his heroic son, Prince Naresuan, began to quietly built up the Siam army.

In 1584, after King Bhueng Noreng had died, Prince Naresuan declared Ayutthaya independence from the Burmese. The Burmese retaliated but failed to recapture Ayutthaya, which finally broke lose from the Burmese yoke. In 1590, King Maha Thammaracha died, and thus Prince Naresuan inherited the throne.

Wat Phu Khao Thong on Google Street View

Wat Phu Khao Thong

Monument of King Naresuan the Great, Ayutthaya (30 December, 2002)


Monument of King Naresuan the Great, Ayutthaya (30 December, 2002)

Monument of King Naresuan the Great on Google Street View

Monument of King Naresuan the Great (Aug 2017)

Wat Phu Khao Thong is on the map of Ayutthaya

List of Wats in Ayutthaya and Wats in Thailand

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