Wat Phutthaisawan Temple

Welcome to Wat Phutthaisawan, a spectacular and highly significant temple located on the southern bank of the Chao Phraya River, just outside the main island of Ayutthaya. The history of this site is deeply intertwined with the…

Starting our journey right at the edge of the Chao Phraya River, you are immediately confronted with a row of imposing bronze statues facing the water. These monuments honor five of the greatest monarchs of the Ayutthaya period. …

Turning inward from the river, the visual centerpiece of Wat Phutthaisawan commands your attention: the colossal, brilliant white prang. This towering structure is a textbook example of early Ayutthaya architecture, which heavily…

Surrounding the base of the massive white prang is a square, roofed gallery or cloister. Let us step inside. …

We now move to a highly unique two story building adjacent to the main complex. This structure houses one of Ayutthaya's most fragile and precious artistic treasures: a collection of mural paintings dating back to the late…

Exiting the mural building, we walk toward the rear of the complex to explore the older, more heavily ruined sections. Here you will find the brick foundations of what is known as the Royal Shrine. …

Tucked away in the ruins near the Royal Shrine, within the crumbling walls of a smaller vihara, lies a beautifully serene Reclining Buddha. The building housing it is in a severe state of disrepair. …

As our exploration of Wat Phutthaisawan comes to an end, we are left with an profound appreciation for the layered complexity of this site. This temple is not a static relic frozen in a single moment of time. …