WAT CHAIWATTHANARAM

Wat Chaiwatthanaram is one of the most striking temple ruins in Ayutthaya and one of the most memorable historic sights in Thailand. Standing on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River, the temple has a dramatic look that sets it apart from many other ancient ruins found in Ayutthaya.

The temple was built in 1630 during the Ayutthaya period by King Prasat Thong. You can see by the design of the central Phrang (spire) that its design has a disinct Khmer influence.

Wat Chaiwatthanaram is best seen in the early morning or evening at sunset where you will also be able to take some beautiful photos of the temple, temple grounds and the river.

You can wander around the temple grounds and discover elevated galleries and rows of ruined Buddha images.

Wat Chaiwatthanaram suffered severe damage during Ayutthaya’s fall in 1767, when the old capital was devastated during the Burmese invasion. The temples in the Historical Park in the center of Ayutthaya met the same fate. Ongoing restoration and conservation work has helped preserve what remains.

See below for map and directions.

If you take one of the Pasak river cruises that navigate around Ayutthaya's river moat, one of the stops will be this ancient temple. The boat usually arrives late afternoon so as to capture the evening sunset.
The next stop is often the end of the tour where there will be outdoor dining and stalls to buy some authentic Thai food.

Most accommodation places can organise a Pasak river tour for you and drop you off at the pier. But you will probably need to find your own way back to the hotel.
The other way to get here is the usual tuk-tuk ride.