On the banks of the Chao Phraya river in Sathorn district is Wat Yannawa, a temple little known to foreign visitors.
Wat Yannawa is also known as “the boat temple” and is a 3rd class Royal Temple. The most distinctive feature of the large complex is the viharn built in the shape of a Chinese junk vessel, a 19th century sailing ship.
The Wat Yannawa is one of the older temples in Bangkok; it was built during the time of the Ayutthaya Kingdom, before the founding of the Rattanakosin Kingdom and the city of Bangkok. At that time the temple was called Wat Kok Khwai.
During the reign of King Nangklao (Rama III, 1824 - 1851) a viharn was built in the shape of a Chinese junk ship and the temple renamed to Wat Yannawa, which translates to “the boat temple”.
The King had the boat like structure built to serve as a memorial to the Chinese junk vessels that were used intensively for trade with China and that had brought prosperity to the Kingdom. During the reign of King Nangklao the Chinese sailing vessels were being replaced by steam ships.
Wat Lot Chong is an active temple located off the city island in the western area of Ayutthaya in the Ban Pom sub-district. Historical documents mention the temple, but specific details about its history and period of construction are not well known.
The temple is situated near other historical sites, such as Khlong Klaep, which is a defunct canal located off Ayutthaya's city island on the western side south of Wat Lot Chong.
On site is an ordination hall an open sided vihara with seating Buddha statue and other monastic structures. The ubosot was built in the Early Ayutthaya style (1351 - 1488), but its restoration dates from the Late Ratanakosin period (after 1851 AD).
The hall has two elevated porches with each two entries and the porch roof is supported by four columns. The roof of the building is three-tiered, while the longest walls have five windows each. The ordination hall is surrounded by eight "bai sema" or boundary stones, placed in the cardinal and inter-cardinal directions and protected from
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Phlaeng Faifa Fortress
Phlaeng Faifa Fort, also known as Pom Phlaeng Faifa Fortress, is a historical site located in Phra Pradaeng District, Samut Prakan Province, Thailand. It is situated near the Chao Phraya River and was built in 1815 during the reign of King Rama II.
The fort is now a small park and is accessible to visitors. It is one of the few remaining forts from the 18th century, which were constructed to protect the mouth of the Chao Phraya River.
The site has been turned into a public recreation area with parks, gardens, and trees, although only parts of the original structure remain. The fort is also listed as a registered Thai historic site since 1980.
This is one of the few remaining parts of the cities defenses and worth a visit for military history lovers.
Phlaeng Faifa Fortress - Built in 1815 By King Rama II - Bangkok Thailand 2025
Wat Kachai วัดกระช้าย
Wat Krachai is located off the main island, on the western side of the city. It can easily be seen at a distance even though it can be difficult to actually visit. Perched in the middle of several rice fields, where seasonal flooding is commonplace, Wat Kachai has remained isolated until recently. The Fine Arts Department is also renovating this monastery to help with its preservation.
Wat Krachai is a large ruin with a number of structures on site. Its most outstanding feature is a large bell-shaped chedi in the Early Ayutthaya period style. This chedi has been heavily looted over the years, and many large holes have been burrowed deep into the chedi’s surface, weakening the structure.
In addition, there are partially excavated remains of a large ubosot on site. The debris of several Buddha images and sema stones have been stacked on top of the ubosot. Wat Kachai is also surrounded by a number of walls that are clearly visible. These walls provide a good ...
