Wat Phanan Choeng
Wat Phanan Choeng is a significant Buddhist temple located in Ayutthaya, Thailand, built in 1324, predating the official founding of the city. It is renowned for its immense 19-meter gilded seated Buddha statue, Luang Pho Tho, and holds historical importance as a site visited by Chinese Admiral Zheng He and as a testament to early settlement in the region.
Key Facts
- ›Founded in 1324, predating the official founding of Ayutthaya by 27 years.
- ›Houses a large, gilded 19-meter seated Buddha statue, Luang Pho Tho, built in 1334.
- ›Visited in 1407 by Chinese Admiral Zheng he, who bestowed gifts upon the temple.
- ›The name Phanan Choeng has origins linked to a legend of Princess Soi Dok Mak and the Khmer words for 'overlap' and 'foot'.
- ›Serves as a popular tourist attraction within the Ayutthaya Historical Park.
- ›Allegedly, the sacred eyes of the Buddha statue shed tears before the destruction of Ayutthaya in 1767.
Important Relationships
- Ayutthaya Historical Park
- Zheng He
19 Meter High Gilded Seated Buddha Statue, Shrine Dedicated To Princess Soi Dok Mak
- Visit By Zheng He In 1407 Ce
- Alleged 'Tears Flowed From the Sacred Eyes' Prior To the Destruction of Ayutthaya In 1767 Ce
About Wat Phanan Choeng
Wat Phanan Choeng is a significant Buddhist temple located in the historic city of Ayutthaya, Thailand. Situated on the east bank of the Chao Phraya River, at the confluence with the Pa Sak River, its construction in 1324 CE predates the official founding of Ayutthaya by over two decades, indicating its connection to early settlements in the region. Today, it is a prominent tourist attraction and part of the Ayutthaya Historical Park.
History and Key Features
The temple's most striking feature is its immense gilded seated Buddha statue, named Luang Pho Tho by Thais and Sam Pao Kong by Thai-Chinese. This statue, standing 19 meters high, was completed in 1334 CE. It is revered as a guardian for mariners, and historical accounts suggest that prior to the Burmese destruction of Ayutthaya in 1767 CE, tears flowed from its sacred eyes. The statue has undergone several restorations, with King Mongkut renaming it Phra Puttha Thrai Ratana Nayok after a restoration in 1854 CE.
Wat Phanan Choeng also holds historical significance due to its visit by Zheng He, a Chinese Muslim eunuch admiral, in 1407 CE during his second Ming imperial voyage. He participated in a grand ceremony involving Siamese royalty, and the temple continues to be visited by Thai-Chinese in his honor.
Toponymy and Legends
The name Phanan Choeng is believed to have multiple origins. One legend attributes it to Princess Soi Dok Mak, who, according to lore, died of disappointment when her imperial father sent her to Prince Sai Nam Pheung of Ayutthaya. The prince then ordered the construction of a shrine in her memory, possibly giving rise to the name Pra Nang Long Choeng, meaning "Her Majesty took a stance." A shrine dedicated to her exists at the temple today, serving as a place for blessings, particularly for love and career. Historically, the name may also derive from Khmer words: "Phanaeng" meaning "overlap" or "interlace" and "Choeng" meaning "foot," referring to the cross-legged posture of the Luang Pho Tho statue.
Visiting Wat Phanan Choeng
Wat Phanan Choeng is located in the Khlong Suan Plu Sub-district of Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya District. The temple is open daily from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with an entrance fee of 20 baht. Visitors can reach the temple from Bangkok by road via Highway 32, or by public transport including buses, vans, and trains to Ayutthaya railway station, followed by a short ride via motorcycle taxi or auto rickshaw.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Wat Phanan Choeng built?
Wat Phanan Choeng was built in 1324. This was approximately 27 years before the city of Ayutthaya was officially founded.
What is the most notable feature of Wat Phanan Choeng?
The temple's most prominent feature is the immense, gilded 19-meter high seated Buddha statue, known as Luang Pho Tho to Thais and Sam Pao Kong to Thai-Chinese. This highly revered statue was created in 1334 CE.
What is the historical significance of Zheng He's visit to Wat Phanan Choeng?
The temple was visited in 1407 CE by the Chinese Muslim eunuch admiral, Zheng He, during his second Ming imperial voyage. He presented gifts in a ceremony attended by Siamese royalty, and his visit is still commemorated by Thai-Chinese visitors.
What are the possible origins of the temple's name, Phanan Choeng?
The name Phanan Choeng has two suggested origins. One is linked to the legend of Princess Soi Dok Mak, and the other relates to Khmer words where 'Phanaeng' means 'overlap' or 'interlace' and 'Choeng' means 'foot', referring to the Buddha statue's posture.
What are the visiting hours and entrance fee for Wat Phanan Choeng?
Wat Phanan Choeng is open daily from 8 am to 5 pm. There is an entrance fee of 20 baht, payable at a booth upon entering.
Related Buddhist Temples
Wat Chedi Luang
Wat Chedi Luang is a significant Buddhist temple located in the historic center of Chiang Mai, Thailand. Originally comprising three temples, its centerpiece is a monumental ruined stupa that was once the largest structure in the Lan Na kingdom, making it a key historical and architectural landmark in the region.
Wat Phra Singh
Wat Phra Singh, officially Wat Phra Singh Woramahaviharn, is a significant Buddhist temple located in Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand. It is renowned for housing the revered image of Phra Buddha Sihing, making it a crucial site for religious devotion and pilgrimage. The temple's history is deeply intertwined with the royal lineage of the Lan Na kingdom and has undergone several restorations and expansions throughout the centuries.
Wat Phra That Doi Suthep
Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is a revered Theravada Buddhist temple located on a mountain in Chiang Mai Province, Thailand. It is renowned for its sacred relic, believed to be a shoulder bone of Gautama Buddha, and its stunning architecture, offering panoramic views of the city below. The temple is a significant pilgrimage site, drawing a large number of visitors annually.