Wat Na Phra Men

Welcome to Wat Na Phra Men, known historically as the Temple in Front of the Funeral Pyre. As you stand before this magnificent complex, consider the incredible fortune that preserved it. …

Standing on the very earth where the Burmese forces pitched their tents in seventeen sixty seven, you can almost hear the ghostly echoes of military encampments blending with temple bells. This area, technically just north of the…

As we approach the main Ubosot, or Ordination Hall, you are looking at a masterclass in early to mid Ayutthaya architectural engineering, layered with late Ayutthaya embellishments. The sheer scale of this building is…

Before stepping across the threshold into the cool, shadowed interior of the Ubosot, look up at the intricate carvings above the central doorway. Here you will find a magnificent depiction of the Hindu god Vishnu riding his avian…

At the far end of the nave sits the breathtaking Phra Buddha Nimit, one of the most exquisite and unusual principal Buddha images in the kingdom. Unlike the austere, unadorned, monastic depictions of the Buddha typical of the…

Leaving the grand Ordination Hall, we make our way to a smaller, more intimate structure known as the Vihara Noi, or the small prayer hall. This building houses an artifact of staggering antiquity and historical significance, the…

Walking to the rear of the temple complex, we encounter a quiet, shaded area populated by a series of ancient, bell shaped stupas, or chedis. These structures served as reliquaries, containing the ashes of high ranking monks,…

As we conclude our exploration of Wat Na Phra Men, let us reflect on the incredible narrative of survival that defines this space. In a city defined by its romantic, melancholy ruins, this temple stands as a defiant pillar of…