Wat Phra Chao Phya-Thai
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Wat Phra Chao Phya-Thai or Wat Yai Chai-mongkol
วัดพระเชาไพยาไทยหรือวัดใหญ่ชัยมงคล
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Reclining Buddha Central Chedi (DTHA002)

Central and Corner Chedi (DTHA001)

22B Buddha Among Ruined Chedi

Buddha Image in Ruined Alcove (DTHA003)

Buddha Images and Front of Wat (DTH009)

Buddha Image in Ruined Alcove (DTHA006)

22A Buddha Image in Ruined Alcove

Buddha Images and Ruined Chedi (DTHA004)

Buddha Images and Ruined Chedi (DTHA005)

Buddha Images in Gallery (DTH007)

วัดพระเชาไพยาไท

Buddha Images Facing Gallery (DTH008)

22F Drum and Bell Tower

วัดใหญ่ชัยมงคล

22G Drum and Bell Tower
Wat Phra Chao Phya-thai, also known as Wat Yai Chai-mongkol, is situated to the southeast of Ayutthaya.  The large chedi (stupa) there can be seen from a great distance.  This Monastery was built in 1357 A.D. by King U-Thong for monks who had returned from Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) after studying under a revered master.  This monastery was originally known as Wat Pa Kaeo.  After the king conferred the title of "Somdej Phra Vanarat" ("The Patriarch on the Right Hand Side") on the Vhead of the sect, the monastery was named Wat Chao Phya-thai which means "The Temple of the Supreme Patriarch".  A large chedi or stupa (Thai version of the Chinese pagoda) was built here by King Naresuen the Great to celebrate his victory over a Burmese leader in hand-to-hand combat on elephant back.  The king built a second chedi named Phra Chedi Chai-mongkol, or the Chedia of the Auspicious Victory, but it was popularly known as Phra Chedi Yai, or the Great Pagoda.  Later on Chao Phya-thai also came to be known as Wat Yai Chai-mongkol.

Wikimapia location

Scenic Photography by Gerry Gantt from Thailand, the land of Golden Wats.

All images Copyright © 2001-2009, all rights reserved.