Phu Khao Thong Temple, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya

Wat Phu Khao Thong, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, is about 2 kilometers from the original Ayutthaya Royal Palace. Although the surrounding area is a Buddhist site, Wat Phu Khao Thong is still a strategic location that played an important role in the Thai-Burmese war. The temple is named after the 90-meter-high Phu Khao Thong pagoda. According to the Ayutthaya Chronicles, Wat Phu Khao Thong was established during the reign of King Ramesuan in the early Ayutthaya period during the war in which King Bayinnaung of Burma won over Ayutthaya when the capital was lost for the first time in 2112. King Bayinnaung ordered the construction of a Mon-Burmese pagoda on top of the temple's original pagoda as a memorial to the victory over the Thai army. However, it is believed that only the southern base was built. When King Naresuan regained independence in 2127, he ordered the construction of a Thai-style pagoda on top of the Mon-Burmese base, resulting in a mixture of architectural styles. Inside, there is a small chapel. The main chapel in front has four twelve-sided recessed chedis. However, after the fall of Ayutthaya for the second time, Wat Phu Khao became a deserted temple, just like the whole of Ayutthaya. However, people from all over the country still travel to pay homage to the great chedi, as seen in Sunthorn Phu’s Nirat Phu Khao Thong during the reign of King Rama III. It was not until 1957 that monks resided at this temple again. The Fine Arts Department built a monument of King Naresuan on a war horse in the middle of the road leading to the temple to honor the warrior king who restored independence. Open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.