Wat Yai Chaimongkol Temple, formerly known as “Pa Kaew Temple” or “Wat Chao Tai” The highlight of the temple is the large chedi that is believed to be Newly renovated in the reign of King Naresuan.

Watyai Chai Mongkhon

A group of monks trained in Sri Lankan meditation were given control of the monastery.

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In time, the leader of the monks was referred to as the “Somedet Phra Wannarat”, the Supreme Patriarch of the Right.

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In deference to his title, the temple was often called Wat Chao Thai, the “Monastery of the Supreme Sangha Leader”

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Perhaps the final Ayutthaya-period incident recorded at the monastery is an unsuccessful defense of the city against the advancing Burmese in 1766.

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King Suriyas Amarin (Ekathat) appointed the Phraya of Tak (who later became King Taksin) the commander of a naval force based at this monastery and instructed him to attack the Burmese.

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However, the defense of the temple (and the city) ultimately failed, leading to the end of the Ayutthaya kingdom and the sack of the city in 1767.

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The presence of several notable events involving the temple hint at its importance in this period.

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During the reign of King Naresuan 1590-1605 a large chedi was constructed at the temple, or perhaps merely remodeled.

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It was built to commemorate the King’s single-handed victory over the Burmese crown prince in a battle involving elephants.

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The chedi was named Phra Chedi Chaya Mongkhon, probably leading to the present name of the temple and its association with “Auspicious Victory”

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The general layout of the wat is consistent with other large temples of the Ayutthaya period

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comprising a chedi at the center flanked by an ubosot (ordination hall) to the East and a viharn (assembly hall) to the West.

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However, at 60 meters tall, the chedi is unusually large, and its square base is correspondingly massive with sides measuring 32.4 meters and a height of 15 meters.

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On the east side of the chedi on top of the base are the remains of two large mondops (square pavilions) housing large Buddha images.

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These buildings were probably originally built with curved pyramidal roofs in the manner of those at Wat Phra Si Sanphet

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The Vihara of the Reclining Buddha was constructed during the reign of King Naresuan.

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It is located to the southeast of Ayutthaya and is one of the first of the city’s temples that can be seen as one travels north from Bangkok.

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Watyai Chai Mongkhon

Entrance fees	Entrance fee is 20 Thai Baht.
Opening hours	Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon opens daily from 8 am until 5 pm. .