Chedi Phu Khao Thong and Thung Phu Khao Thong
With a height of 90 metres, Chedi Phukhao Thong (Golden Mountain Pagoda) can be easily seen from a distance in the middle of Thung Phukhao Thong (The Golden Mountain Field) outside the City Island of Ayutthaya. During the peaceful political situation in the past, this area would be used as a rice farming and boat racing field during the flood season. However during several wars, this area was used as the military base for the military campground to wait for the enemy marching close to Ayutthaya.
However, after the Burmese battle in 1767, Wat Phukhao Thong was abandoned. The great pagoda is an important Buddhist place where Thai people came to pay homage, as shown in the literature named Nirat Phukhao Thong (Journey to the Golden Mountain) by Sunthorn Phu, the famous Thai poet during the reign of King Rama III of the Rattanakosin Kingdom.
According to Royal Chronicles of the Ayutthaya, Wat Phukhao Thong was built by King Ramesuan or in the early Ayutthaya era. Later on, King Bayinnaung of Burma ordered to build a large chedi in the Mon style as a memorial of his victory over Ayutthaya after the first Ayutthaya-Burma battle. When Ayutthaya’s independence was restored by King Naresuan the Great, the pagoda was remodelled in Thai style.
Some experts have proposed that Thung Phukhao Thong might be the battlefield between King Naresuan the Great and the Burmese king. The golden pagoda might also be the chedi of the Yuddhahatthi (War Elephant Battle) for the remembrance of that great battle between Siam and Burma. However, there are two other fields believed to be the Yuddhahatthi battlefields as well; the Don Chedi Monument in Suphan Buri province, and the Don Chedi in Amphor Phanom Thuan of Kanchanaburi province. More research and fact finding are still needed.
The bell-shaped golden pagoda was built over the high base in the Mon architectural style. The Mon chedi base is larger than that of the Thai style. In a restoration during the reign of King Borommakot in 1745, a new chedi of the Thai style, having a square shape with indented corners, was built on the old base of the ruined one. Therefore, the great Chedi Phukhao Thong now contains a combination of both Mon and Thai architecture during the late Ayutthaya era.
After enjoying the beauty of the golden pagoda and the gorgeous scenery of the chedi field, do not forget to pay respect to King Naresuan the Great at the King Naresuan the Great Monument situated in front of the temple’s entrance.
Chedi Phu Khao Thong and Thung Phu Khao Thong
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Tumbon Phu Khao Thong, about 3 km from the City Island
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