| What makes it historical? |
Ayutthaya became the second capital of the Kingdom of Siam in 1351 when King Ramathibodi I built his royal palace at this site surrounded by three rivers! Years later, in 1448, King Borommatrailokanat, the first Thai king to own a white elephant, built his own palace further north and turned this location into a holy site.
His son, Ramathibodi I, built two of the giant stupas, or chedi, that are still here today, one to house the ashes of Borommatrailokanat and another to house the ashes of Ramathibodi’s older brother, Borommaracha III, who had died in battle against the Mon of Myanmar!
For 319 years, Wat Phra Sri Sanphet was exclusively for use by the royal family. No monks lived here or were allowed to pray here except by very special invitation! That all changed in 1767 when Burma invaded and destroyed the entire complex except for these three chedi! Today, after much restoration, these chedi are the centerpiece of a historical park! |
