Wat Khun Mueang Chai วัดขุนเมืองใจ - Ancient Temple in Ayutthaya Thailand

Wat Khun Mueang Chai วัดขุนเมืองใจ

Wat Khun Mueang Chai is a large temple ruin located on the city island. It was once located beside Khlong Pratu Khao Pluak, but this canal has since been buried.

Wat Khun Mueang Chai consists of four primary structures: an ubosot, one vihara, a large stupa, and a two-story living quarters. Of these structures, the large stupa is probably the most breathtaking. The tall base of the stupa consists of several layers that support a bell-shaped body as a type of relic chamber. One layer is superimposed over another. This
style of Thai architecture is known as "Yok Ket". On the southeastern side, a surviving
corner chedi is still visible. There are very few monasteries resembling Wat Khun Mueang Chai in Ayutthaya (Wat Ayodhya being one of them). This chedi has low walls above its indented base that are designed to look like balustrade walls. These still have some decorative stucco patterns intact - including a few niches where a standing Buddha image can still be seen. These patterns and Buddha images reflect Khmer influence, and there is evidence that several restorations were done on the chedi during ancient times.

A two story building is located on the northwestern side of Wat Khun Mueang Chai. This type of structure is associated with residential halls of highly positioned monks or members of the royal family. There are ones like it at Wat Kudi Dao and Wat Jao Ya.

Wat Khun Mueang Chai is a very ancient temple. It may pre-date the establishment of
Ayutthaya in 1351. In fact, this monastery is often connected with Ayodhya - an earlier
settlement east of the city that had a connection to the Lopburi empire.

Archaeologists have found traces of a pre-12th century Dvaravati town on and below the island of Wat Khun Mueang Chai, Wat Mahathat, and Tambon Bang Kracha.

Even though Wat Khun Mueang Jai is quite ancient, there are not many records of its
history. Documents refer to it being used for the important ceremony of taking oaths of
allegiance. Royal Chronicles mention a Khun Muang who was a noble during the reign of King Borommatrailokanat, who ruled Ayutthaya from 1448-1463 before ruling in Phitsanulok for twenty years.

A second Khun Muang is referred to during the reign of King Narai. This man was appointed to the right-wing of the Royal army sent to Sukhothai. An oath of allegiance was taken around that time.

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