The white tower
In Khmer style.
This Photo was taken by Supanut Arunoprayote. Feel free to use any of my images, but please mention me as the author and may send me a message. (สามารถใช้ภาพได้อิสระ แต่กรุณาใส่เครดิตผู้ถ่ายและอาจส่งข — CC BY 4.0 · This Photo was taken by Supanut Arunoprayote. Feel free to use any of my images, but please mention me as the author and may send me a message. (สามารถใช้ภาพได้อิสระ แต่กรุณาใส่เครดิตผู้ถ่ายและอาจส่งข — CC BY 4.0 · Panuwat Tansui — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Panuwat Tansui — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Panuwat Tansui — CC BY-SA 4.0
A temple on the south bank of the river below Ayutthaya island, built by King U Thong, founder of the kingdom, in 1353 on the spot where he first lived before building the capital. Its landmark is a large white Khmer-style tower rising from a court ringed by a cloister lined with dozens of seated Buddha images. Around the court stand old halls, among them a wooden library on the upper floor of a small hall, faded Ayutthaya-era murals of Buddhist tales, and a large reclining Buddha. Next door lies the old Portuguese village, where Portuguese traders and mercenaries settled in the sixteenth century, with the ruins of a church. Entry is free and donations are welcome. Modest dress is expected: shoulders and knees covered, and shoes off inside the halls. It is quiet with few visitors, and the white tower is especially lovely in late-afternoon light. It is minutes from the island by tuk-tuk over the bridge, or reach it by boat on a river trip with Wat Phanan Choeng.
In Khmer style.
Dozens of seated images.
Since 1353.
South bank of the Chao Phraya, south of Ayutthaya island
Chao Sam Phraya National MuseumAyutthaya's most important museum, holding treasures found in the city's ruins, 17 minutes walk
Wat Phra Si SanphetAyutthaya's most important and most photographed temple: it was the royal temple23 minutes walk
Wat ChaiwatthanaramOne of Ayutthaya's loveliest and most intact ruins, on the west bank of the Chao23 minutes walk
Wat Lokaya Sutha (Reclining Buddha)A huge open-air reclining Buddha, about forty-two metres long, built of brick an24 minutes walkKing U Thong, the kingdom's founder, built it in 1353 where he lived before building the capital on the island.