Wat Thammikarat

Welcome to Wat Thammikarat, a site that holds the unique distinction of predating the founding of the Ayutthaya Kingdom itself. While the city of Ayutthaya was officially established in thirteen fifty one, historical and…

Walking through the main entrance, it is impossible to ignore the sheer volume of rooster statues populating the grounds. To understand this phenomenon, we must delve into the legend of King Naresuan the Great, a monarch who…

Moving past the roosters, we arrive at the architectural centerpiece of the complex: the Singha Chedi. In traditional Ayutthayan or Sukhothai architecture, the base of a grand stupa is almost universally surrounded by statues of…

Nearby, you will find a shrine housing a massive, imposing Buddha head. The head you see here is actually a replica, the priceless original bronze head, discovered amidst the ruins of this very temple, is now safely housed in the…

We now step into the footprint of the main Vihara, the grand assembly hall. Though the wooden roof was incinerated centuries ago, the scale of the remaining brickwork is staggering. …

The serene atmosphere of Wat Thammikarat belies a dark and violent chapter in royal history. During the mid sixteenth century, this temple complex was the epicenter of a bloody succession crisis. …

Our final architectural stop is the smaller Vihara housing a beautiful Reclining Buddha. The origins of this specific building provide a touching counterpoint to the political violence of the previous story. …

As you prepare to leave Wat Thammikarat, take a moment to absorb the profound contradictions of this site. It is a place guarded by an army of plastic roosters honoring a warrior king, yet centered around the tranquil teachings…