Wat Phutthai Sawan

Ayuthaya


Atmospheric ruins and lively temple worship can both be experienced at Wat Phutthai Sawan. King U Thong founded this temple in 1353 on the south bank of the Chao Phraya River at the spot where he and his followers lived before moving onto the island to create their great city. It's one of the few places spared by Burmese invaders and its bone-white, late-Ayuthaya-period prang (Khmer-style spire) still rises high above the old half of this temple complex. It's beautifully illuminated at night.

You can climb up inside the prang to see the massive relic vault, a reclining Buddha and lots of bats – because of the later, you do not need to remove your shoes.

Gold Buddhas on mosaicked pedestals surround the prang and east of this cloister is a stately stone Buddha reclining in a ruined building.

West of the cloister, the upper floor of the stark white and brown abbot's residence (between the modern prang and the king statues) has faded 17th-century murals.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Ayuthaya attractions

1. St Joseph Church

0.53 MILES

In 1665, King Narai gave the French land next to the Christian Vietnamese settlement and donated money towards building the first St Joseph Church, which…

2. Ayutthaya Night Market

0.61 MILES

Besides a fun selection of food (including some rather uncommon ones, like fried butterfly pea flowers) and crafts sold from thatch-roofed stalls by…

3. Ayutthaya Tourist Center

0.68 MILES

A good first stop in Ayuthaya, the historical exhibitions in the former city hall contextualise the kingdom's history and culture from ancient times to…

4. Chao Sam Phraya National Museum

0.8 MILES

The most impressive treasure of Ayuthaya's premier museum is the haul of royal gold (jewellery, utensils, votive tablets, spittoons) unearthed from the…

5. Ayuthaya Historical Study Centre

0.82 MILES

Though it feels staid compared to enchanting local ruins, this museum features model longboats and temples along with exhibitions on the lives of…

6. Wat Phra Ram

1.01 MILES

Wat Phra Ram's tall main prang (Khmer-style spire) isn't in the best condition, but it's definitely worth a visit. The temple was constructed on the…

7. Wihan Phra Mongkhon Bophit

1.04 MILES

Next to Wat Phra Si Sanphet, this sanctuary hall houses one of Thailand's largest bronze Buddha images, dating to the 15th century, most likely. Coated in…

8. Wat Phra Si Sanphet

1.1 MILES

At this captivating ruined temple, three wonderfully intact stupas form one of Ayuthaya's most iconic views. Built beginning in 1448, this was a private…

  • placement: superzone
  • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [1, 1],
  • targeting:
    {
      "url": "thailand/ayuthaya-province/ayuthaya/attractions/wat-phutthai-sawan/a/poi-sig/1515946/357639",
      "destination": "Ayuthaya",
      "continent": "Asia",
      "country": "Thailand",
      "city": "Ayuthaya",
      "position": "superzone"
    }