Wat Chakkrawat วัดจักรวรรดิ์
Wat Jakrawan (Chakrawan), also called Wat Chao Mon, is a restored ruin located off the city island in the eastern area of Ayutthaya near the train station.
The temple ruin is situated on the west bank of Khlong Ayodhya. Wat Kudi Dao lies opposite of it, while to the north stands Wat Ayodhya. On its west side is Wat Pradu Songtham.
The monastery derives its name from the "Traiphum", the three-world system. The ancient Theravada tradition saw a flat world with Heaven above and Hell below, which was later modified to a ten thousand world vision.
According to the Traiphum, the universe has been for ever occupied by an infinite number of Chakrawans (groups of worlds) all exactly similar, and each embracing a world of men, with a series of heavens and hells. Each of these worlds (solar systems) depends on a central mountain named
Phra Meru. Around Mount Meru are eight circular belts of ocean, divided from each other by seven annular mountains ...
Wat Suansawan is a quiet abandoned temple tucked away in the Bang Yi Khan community of Bang Phlat District in Bangkok, near the base of Rama VIII Bridge and hidden in Soi Charansanitwong 44. It stands as one of the lesser-known historic sites that survived from the late Ayutthaya period into the early Rattanakosin era, offering a rare glimpse into Bangkok’s layered past amid the surrounding urban neighborhood.
Historians believe the temple originated in the late Ayutthaya period, though exact construction records are scarce and it was never classified among the prominent royal temples of that time, pointing instead to its likely role as a community or commoners’ temple. Its name, meaning “Heavenly Garden,” is thought to derive from the stucco pediment decoration possibly depicting Indra’s paradise or similar celestial motifs. The site appears on Bangkok maps from the late 19th to early 20th century, confirming its established presence in the area.
The temple experienced restoration during ...
The Maeklong Railway Market, also known as Talat Rom Hup or the “Umbrella Pulldown Market,” in Samut Songkhram Province has existed since around 1905. It began as a bustling local fresh seafood market in a fishing-dependent area near the Gulf of Thailand.
When the Maeklong Railway was built to improve goods distribution, including seafood, from the region to Bangkok and other provinces, the tracks were laid directly through the existing market.
Rather than relocating, the resilient vendors adapted by continuing operations around the tracks. They quickly pull back awnings, umbrellas, and stalls whenever a train approaches, then promptly reset everything once it passes.
This unique coexistence turned the market into one of Thailand’s largest fresh seafood markets, blending everyday commerce with the precision of railway schedules. Over time, it evolved from a practical local hub into a world-famous attraction showcasing Thai ingenuity and adaptability.
One of the most authentic and cheapest ways to...
Wat Rajapradit Sathan, also known as Wat Racha Praditsathan, is an active Buddhist temple situated on the city island of Ayutthaya in Thailand.
Its name translates to “Monastery of the Royal Installation,” reflecting its historical ties to royalty, and it stands outside the main Ayutthaya Historical Park boundaries in the Tha Wasukri or Hua Ro area. The temple complex today incorporates what was once a separate neighboring site called Wat Tha Sai, which has been annexed into it over time, and remnants of an old canal called Khlong Pratu Khao Pluak still exist as a small pond on the grounds after much of it was filled in.
The temple’s origins date back to the Ayutthaya Kingdom period, though the exact founder and construction date remain unclear from surviving records, with suggestions that it may have royal patronage given its name and associations.
It gained particular prominence through its connection to King Chakkraphat, who reigned from 1548 to 1569 and had ordained as a monk there prior ...
