Wat Phra Ram

Welcome to Wat Phra Ram, a monument of foundational importance to the history of the Ayutthaya Kingdom. Situated in the heart of the historic park, just east of the original Grand Palace, this temple is a masterpiece of early…

Before we ascend into the temple proper, turn your attention to the large body of water adjacent to the complex, known as Bueng Phra Ram. This serene lake is an integral part of the temple's history and the city's urban planning. …

Standing before the main feature of Wat Phra Ram, you are looking at the central prang, a towering structure that dominates the skyline. This architectural form is a direct inheritance from the Khmer Empire, modeled after the…

As you move closer to the base of the central prang, look up at the corners and the middle sections of the tower. Here, you will find remnants of the temple's original decorative artwork. …

Surrounding the central prang are the foundation platforms and shattered columns of the temple's viharas, or assembly halls. Wat Phra Ram features an unusual layout with several viharas of varying sizes, including one massive…

As you navigate the eastern edge of the temple complex, you might hear the heavy, rhythmic thud of large footsteps or the distinctive trumpet of an elephant. Wat Phra Ram is located adjacent to an elephant camp run by a nonprofit…

Our final stop within the complex takes us to the perimeter, where the remains of the outer wall and smaller satellite stupas, or chedis, stand guard. The layout of Wat Phra Ram is highly symmetrical, enclosed by a gallery that…

As we conclude our tour of Wat Phra Ram, take one last look at the towering central prang reaching toward the sky. This temple is more than just a collection of old bricks, it is a monument to the birth and the death of an empire. …