Wat Khok Phrayaram วัดโคกพระยาราม - Ayutthaya Thailand

Wat Khok Phrayaram (วัดโคกพระยาราม)

Wat Khok Phrayaram is a restored ruin located off the city island in the Phukhao Thong plains 2 Km north of Ayutthaya. Wat Phu Khao Thong and the Naresuan Memorial lie in its immediate vicinity.

Historians thought initially that this site was the location where a number of Ayutthayan Royals were executed following the old Chronicles of Ayutthaya; but excavations in situ excluded this thesis. The important historical site where these executions occurred, is Wat Khok Phraya; located in the vicinity of Wat Na Phra Men and Wat Hatsadawat on the north bank of the old Lopburi River.

Probably to make a distinction regarding the two identical named sites, the ruin in the Phu Khao Thong Fields has had "aram" added to its name; a comparative and superlative form in Sanskrit; Wat Khok Phrayaram meaning as thus the "Greater Monastery of the Mound of the Nobles".

We find though in the Royal Chronicles of Ayutthaya the name of Wat Khok Phraya
mentioned. The Burmese under King Tabeng Shwe Thi - the founder of the second Burmese Empire - invaded Siam in 1549 via the Three Pagodas Pass (Phra Chedi Sam Ong) and Kanburi (in the vicinity of present Kanchanaburi).

The Burmese army arrived north of Ayutthaya and put its stockades up in the Lumphli plains. Khok Phrayaram was the location where King Chakkraphat set up his army formations to engage the Burmese in battle. In the fight Queen Suriyothai was killed by the King of Prae, when trying to help out her husband, when his
elephant lost position in combat.

Here is a descriptionof the battle from the Royal Chronicles of Ayutthaya.

"At a time of the lunar day of great auspiciousness, the Reverend Astrologer
struck a victory gong, the conch shell trumpets resounded, the drums of Indra throbbed, and King Cakkraphat set forth with the royal elephant and crossed the river. The Chief Queen and both of the Princes followed in the retinue of the
King. The elephant guards, crowding around and supporting the troop of elephants as they moved in a large crowd, some of whom capered and
danced along, advanced in the lead. There were soldiers riding at their posts on the elephants’ necks and carrying guns and long handled elephant hooks

in their hands, and mahouts at their posts on the rear of each animal. Each elephant was hemmed in on all sides by lines of guards. Then, following the procession of the war elephant guards, came the companies of brave foot soldiers, carrying swords, shields, bucklers, javelins, great spears, paired spears, banners, tasseled lances, bows, and firearms, and crowded together to the right and the left, front and behind. The sound of the marching soldiers and elephants shook the earth as though it would collapse.

King Cakkraphat, halting his royal elephant,
collected his soldiers and elephant troops and set up positions in formation at Khok Phraya."

Historical data about the monastery and its construction are unknown. The site is small and not very impressive. It’s only worth a visit if you want to explore these old ruins surrounding the former capital.

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