Wat Thammaram วัดธรรมาราม - Temple of the Darma - Ayutthaya Thailand

Wat Thammaram (วัดธรรมาราม)

Wat Thammaram prior called Wat Thamma or the Monastery of the Dharma (the teachings of the Buddha) is located off the city island in the western area of Ayutthaya north of Wat Kasatrathirat.

In situ are monastic structures of modern construction. Remains of the old outer wall, the crystal wall, and the lower part of the old gates still can still be seen.

It is related in the Royal Chronicles of Ayutthaya that on this spot during the siege of
Ayutthaya in 1569 Phraya Thamma had set up his stockade to defend the west side of the city of Ayutthaya against the Burmese; an important strategical position because it lies
across from Sop Sawan Monastery and was in front of the Rear Palace.

The King of Hongsawadi, Bhureng Noung, planned to launch a decisive attack to seize
Ayutthaya, although Prince Thammaracha of Phitsanulok feared that an attack on the city
would cost dearly in soldiers. He decided to use a ruse instead. He summoned Phraya Chakri, who was one of the hostages sent to Burma with Prince Ramesuen after the second
Burmese invasion in 1563. After having him swear an oath of allegiance, the Prince held a secret discussion and proposed Phraya Chakri to gain the favor of the Burmese King.

Prince Thammaracha informed the King of Hongsawadi of a stratagem and the latter as
part of the plan, had Phraya Chakri sentenced and imprisoned. Thirty Burmese, Mon and Lao were to guard him. After a few days Prince Thammaracha sent men to release Phraya Chakri secretly. Phraya Thamma entered at Phraya Thamma’s position in the middle of the night, pretending that he had escaped from
confinement.

The next morning the King of Hongsawadi made a pretense of having a searched for
Phraya Chakri throughout the army. He was not found of course, the King had the thirty guards taken and paraded around the army. They were then immediately executed and
impaled in front of the stockade of Phraya Thamma.

Phraya Thamma escorted Phraya Chakri for an audience with King Mahin of Ayutthaya. The king, assuming that Phraya Chakri really escaped, placed him in charge of the defense of the city. Over the weeks Phraya Chakri succeeded in reducing the strength of the Ayutthayan army, where after he informed the Burmese King to launch his final attack. Ayutthaya fell to the Burmese for the first time on 30 August 1569, a victim to the treachery of one of her own sons.

In addition to the story of treachery this temple has important ties to Sri Lanka. Missionaries were sent from here to help restore Buddhism to the island. On site there is a small museum dedicated to these missionaries.

The temple is an important part of the history of the region and worth a visit if you are in the area.

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