Wat Phanan Choeng

Built in 1324, some 27 years before the city of Ayutthaya was officially founded, the temple must have been partly connected to early settlements in the area.

The large wihan, the highest building within the temple complex, houses an immense gilded 19 meter high seated Buddha from 1334 CE.

King Mongkut named the statue Phra Puttha Thrai Ratana Nayok after its restoration in 1854 CE.

The temple was visited in 1407 CE by Zheng He, a Chinese Muslim eunuch admiral from Yunnan who leading his second Ming imperial voyage.

Prince Sai Nam Pheung was in mourning and ordered workers to build a shrine as a remembrance of his beloved Soi Dok Mak.

Locals believe that the legend may be the origin of the temple which is derived from Pra Nang Long Choeng (Thai: พระนางลองเชิง, "Her Majesty took a stance").

Wat Phanan Choeng
Luang Pho Tho
People sit covered under orange drapes that run down from the Buddha's shoulder, for the blessing ceremony.
The shrine to the Chinese princess Soi Dok Mak