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Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon in the Ayutthaya Historical Park

Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon in the Ayutthaya Historical Park

One of the most important temples in Ayutthaya, Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon has a long and illustrious history. And unlike many of the other ancient sites in Ayutthaya, this is still an active temple where monks reside. Thai people visit Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon to not only pay respects to Buddha, but also to pay homage to one of the most respected kings in Thai history, King Naresuan the Great.

HISTORY OF WAT YAI CHAI MONGKHON

Before Ayutthaya was established, historians believe the original site of Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon may have been an important
Khmer temple complex. Different temples were subsequently built here which bear a number of different names.
When Ayutthaya was established as the capital of Siam in 1350, King U-thong proclaimed the site as the royal temple and it was known as Wat Chao Phraya Thai. After King Naresuan repelled a Burmese invasion in 1593, restoration work was carried out at the temple and historians believe it was at this time that the main chedi was enlarged and at some stage thereafter the temple became known as Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon which translates as the'Great Monastery of Auspicious Victory'.