Wat Chang Lom วัดช้างล้อม , Si Satchanalai

Wat Chang Lom, Si Satchanalai (23 December, 2002)


Wat Chang Lom (GPS: 17.43205, 99.78516; Thai: วัดช้างล้อม ) is one of the more distinctive Thai Buddhist temple ruins in the Si Satchanalai Historical Park, in Sukhothai Province, Thailand. The name Wat Chang Lom translates as Temple Surrounded by Elephant. The name refers to its chedi (stupa), which has a row of elephant sculptures on each side. There are a total of 39 elephant sculptures in total, including 4 on each corner, 9 each on the north, south and west side, and 8 on the east side - fewer by one there to make way for a staircase.

The elephant sculptures at Si Satchanalai is different from those at Sukhothai, for example at Sukhothai's Wat Chang Lom, where the elephants are shows protruding half way out of the base. At Si Satchanalai, the whole body of the elephants are shown. Each is actually bigger than a life-size elephant.

Approaching the temple from the south, you can see that it still retains its outer wall and entrance gate, which marks a square plan. The chedi itself has a two tier base. The bottom tier has the row of elephants. Above it is another tier with niches occupied by seated Buddha statues. Above it are three rings followed by the bell shape. On top of that is the square platform, and finally the spire, which comprises diminishing rings all the way to the tip. That spire is separated from the platform by a neck with relief showing walking Buddha or devotee images.

The chedi of Wat Chang Lom, Si Satchanalai (23 December, 2002)


The chedi of Wat Chang Lom, Si Satchanalai (23 December, 2002)


The chedi of Wat Chang Lom, Si Satchanalai (23 December, 2002)


A row of elephant sculptures at Wat Chang Lom (23 December, 2002)


A row of elephant sculptures at Wat Chang Lom (23 December, 2002)


Close-up view of the platform and neck of Wat Chang Lom, showing the row of walking figures. (23 December, 2002)


Niches with seated Buddha statues at Wat Chang Lom (23 December, 2002)

Wat Chang Lom on Google Street View

The chedi of Wat Chang Lom, as seen from the east side, with its staircase flanked by 4 elephants on each side. (Dec 2014)

Wat Chang Lom is on the map of Si Satchanalai

List of Wats in Si Satchanalai and Wats in Thailand

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