Wat Phra Si Sanphet: Ayutthaya’s Royal Temple

Three chedis of Wat Phra Si Sanphet, Ayutthaya, Thailand

With its three iconic bell-shaped chedis rising in a row, Wat Phra Si Sanphet was the holiest and most important temple in old Ayutthaya. Located within the grounds of the former royal palace, it served as the royal chapel and a model for Bangkok’s own Temple of the Emerald Buddha. Its elegant silhouette is among the defining images of the historical park. (The additional images show nearby Ayutthaya ruins.)

The Three Royal Chedis

The temple’s most striking feature is its trio of restored Ceylonese-style chedis, built to hold the ashes of three Ayutthaya kings. Standing in a perfect line, they have become the symbol of the temple and one of the most photographed sights in the city. Their graceful, tapering forms are especially beautiful in the morning and late-afternoon light.

A Temple Without Monks

Unlike most monasteries, Wat Phra Si Sanphet was a royal temple within the palace compound and never housed resident monks. It was used exclusively for royal ceremonies and once enshrined a colossal standing Buddha covered in gold, which was lost when the city fell in 1767. The scale of the ruins still conveys its former importance.

Visiting the Site

The temple sits at the heart of the historical park, close to other major ruins, making it easy to include on a walking or cycling tour. A small entry fee applies and modest dress is expected. Visit early or late to enjoy soft light and cooler temperatures, and take time to appreciate the symmetry of the three chedis.

Elegant and historically vital, Wat Phra Si Sanphet is the regal heart of Ayutthaya and a must-see within the ancient capital.