Wihan Phra Mongkhon Bophit Temple

Wat Mongkhon Bophit is an active temple complex, visited throughout the day by many people who come to venerate the Buddha statue. Interestingly, it is located right next to Wat Phra Si Sanphet, meaning that both the ruins of Wat Phra Si Sanphet and the rest of the complex are in close proximity.

The modern temple Wat Mongkhon Bophit can be visited on the same morning or afternoon.

The main attraction at Wat Mongkhon Bophit is the large bronze (gilded) Buddha statue called Phra Mongkhon Bophit, which is almost 17 meters high (including the 4.5 meter high base).

In the early Ayutthaya period, there was no designated location for royal cremation ceremonies. After a king's death, an area was chosen for the ritual. Following the ceremonies, the cremation site became the location of a new monastery.

From the available sources, we know that King Chaerachathirat commissioned the construction of Wat Chichiang and a chedi near a cremation site, as well as the creation of a statue. Phra Mongkhonbophit has been identified as the statue that King Chaerachathirat had made at Wat Chichiang in 1538 CE.

The chronicles report that in 1610 AD, King Songtham ordered the Buddha statue Phra Mongkhonbophit to be moved from the east to the west and a mandapa (a square, covered structure) to be built to house it. In 1612 AD...