Wat Chaiwatthanaram
Wat Chaiwatthanaram, one of the most imposing ancient
Buddhist monasteries, was established by the command of King Prasatthong
in 1630 A.D. It is believed that the wat is located on the site of
his former home. The reason for building this monastery was to make
merit for his mother. Prince Damrong Rachanuphap noted that its architecture
was similar to that of Angkor Wat and inferred that the wat might
have been built to commemorate the king's victory over Cambodia.
This wat consists of a main prang (Khmer-type tower) and four lesser
prangs, all created on the same base ans surrounded by eight lesser
prangs and a gallery.
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