Wat Chetawong’s Sacred Past: Ancient Remains of a Mon Riverside Temple

Wat Chetawong (วัดเจตวงศ์), also transliterated as Wat Jet Wong, is a historic abandoned temple (วัดร้าง) in Pathum Thani Province, Thailand. It’s a lesser-known archaeological site valued for its preserved early Rattanakosin-era architecture and faded wall murals depicting previous Buddhas—making it a quiet gem for history buffs, photographers, and those exploring Pathum Thani’s Mon-influenced heritage. Unlike bustling active temples like Wat Bot or Wat Chin Wararam, this one offers a serene, off-the-beaten-path vibe amid the province’s riverside landscape.

History and Founding

Established during the early Rattanakosin period (late 18th to early 19th century), shortly after the founding of Bangkok in 1782, Wat Chetawong reflects the era’s blend of Ayutthaya architectural influences and local Mon craftsmanship. The temple likely served a small riverside community in what was then a fertile, irrigation-rich area settled by Mon migrants from Myanmar over 300 years prior. Over time, as Pathum Thani urbanized and the Chao Phraya River shifted, the temple fell into disuse, becoming “abandoned” by the mid-20th century. It’s now under the protection of Thailand’s Fine Arts Department, with ongoing conservation efforts to preserve its structures from weathering and neglect. Artifacts like ancient Buddha images and murals hint at its role in local merit-making and education before abandonment.

Architectural Highlights

The site’s main feature is its small, single-door ubosot (ordination hall), built in a classic “Maha Ut” style typical of early Rattanakosin temples:

• Structure: Brick-and-mortar construction with a gabled roof, three windows per side, and ornate pediments. The hall measures about 10x15 meters, emphasizing simplicity over grandeur.

• Murals: Faded but evocative 19th-century frescoes on the interior walls depict Jataka tales and previous lives of the Buddha (e.g., Buddha with disciples above window frames). These paintings, executed in traditional Thai-Mon style with gold leaf accents, are a rare surviving example of the period’s artistry—though time and humidity have blurred much of the detail.

• Principal Buddha Image: A seated Buddha in the subduing Mara posture (Phra Phuttha Chinarat style) at the altar, surrounded by smaller relics.

• Other Elements: Scattered ruins include boundary markers (sema stones) and remnants of a chedi base, overgrown with vines for an abandoned feel.

The temple grounds are modest, with no active monks or facilities—just the ubosot and surrounding foliage along a quiet soi (alley).

Wat Chetawong embodies Pathum Thani’s layered history: a forgotten whisper amid the province’s lotus-filled temples and modern hum. If you’re into ruins with a spiritual twist, it’s worth the detour—just don’t expect grandeur, but rather quiet reverence.

It is a snapshot of Pathum Thani’s transition from Ayutthaya outpost to modern suburb, showcasing how riverside temples anchored Mon communities.

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