Wat Chaiwatthanaram
A Khmer-style temple on the west bank of the Chao Phraya, best seen at sunset from across the river.
Wat Chaiwatthanaram is a 17th-century royal temple on the west bank of the Chao Phraya in Ayutthaya, built by King Prasat Thong in 1630. Entry is 50 baht, a visit takes an hour, and it is the most photogenic ruin in the city at sunset.
Open Wat Chaiwatthanaram in Google Maps14.3433, 100.5418
Included in the THB 220 combined ticket
Entry fee checked against operator or park publication, October 2026. Hours can change without notice — confirm on the day.
A Khmer-style temple on the west bank of the Chao Phraya, best seen at sunset from across the river.
The temple was built to commemorate the king's victory over the Khmer and its layout mirrors Angkor Wat — a central prang 35 metres tall surrounded by eight smaller ones on a raised platform. It was abandoned after 1767 and the brick was looted for decades before a Thai fine arts restoration in the 1980s and a major post-flood reconstruction in 2013.
It is the most photogenic ruin in Ayutthaya — a central prang surrounded by eight smaller ones, reflected in the river. Sunset here is the classic finish to a day in the old capital.
What you’ll actually see
- The central prang on its raised platform, with intact stucco reliefs on the base
- The eight surrounding prangs, each with its own narrative reliefs
- The ordination hall and the gallery of seated Buddhas around the perimeter
- The riverbank view at sunset, when the brick turns orange
How to visit it well
- View it from the opposite bank for the reflection.
- Bring mosquito repellent for dusk.
- Combine with the boat loop around the island.
Mistakes worth avoiding
- Coming at 9am with the coach tours when the light is flat
- Climbing on the prangs — the brick is fragile and it is prohibited
- Skipping it because it is 'another ruin'; this one is genuinely different in plan
Is it worth it?
Worth an hour and the best sunset spot in Ayutthaya. The Angkor-style plan makes it visually distinct from the rest of the city, and the river setting is beautiful. Come at 4:30pm.
Common questions
50 baht for foreign visitors. It is included in the 220 baht Ayutthaya pass.
Late afternoon, around 4:30pm, for the light on the brick. Sunset from the riverbank is the classic shot.
It is on the west bank of the river, across from the main park. Ten minutes by car from Wat Mahathat, or a short ferry crossing.
No. The stairs are closed and climbing damages the brick. The view is from the ground.
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Last updated: October 2026 · Prices and hours checked by Tom Whitfield