Wat Phra Sri Sanphet

The royal palace was located here from the establishment of Ayutthaya in the reign of King Ramathibodi I (1350 A.D.) to the rign of King Sam Phraya (1448 A.D.). Later King Borommatrailokanat ordered a wat to be build on this site in 1448 A.D. to be used as a monastic area.

After the reign of King Borommatrailokanat, his son King Ramathibodi II, ordered the construction for two chedis, one of which was kept the ashes of his father and the other those of his brother, King Borommarachathirat III. Another Chedi was built by order of King Boromrachanophuttangkun. It was similary used to house royal Remains those of King Ramathibodi II.

In 1499, a principal Vihan was built, The following year, in 1500 A.D., King Ramathibodi II commanded the casting of a standing Buddha image 16 meters in the height and covered with gold. This image, Phra Buddha Chao Sri Sanphet was the main object of veneration in the royal viranra (hall of worship). After that time the ashes of members of the royal family other than the kings were placed in small chedis constructed at the site.

Wat Phra Sri San Phet was the royal chapel and as sush did not have a Sangavasa (no monks dwelt there). It was used for royal ceremonies.

When Ayutthaya was sacked in 1767 A.D. the gold which covered was taken by the invaders. Duing his reign King Rama I (1782-1809 A.D.) of the Ratanakosin Period ordered the transfer of the inner core of Phra Buddha Chao Sri Sanphet from Ayutthaya to Wat Phra Chetuphon, Bangkok, and had it placed in a chedi specially built for the purpose. Another Buddha image of importance called Phralokanat was also brought to this wat at around the same time.