In 1357 after Chao Keow and Chao Thai were cremated, King
U – Thong converted Pagoda and Wihara into a monastery
named “Wat Pa Keow” for the order of monks who practiced
meditation. Then it was called “Wat Chao Phraya Thai”
according to the name of Somdej Phrawanarat, who was the
patriarch of the monks.
In 1592 when King Naresuan, the Great, defeated his enemy
in single combat on an elephant, Somdej Phra Wannarat
asked for his forgiveness to the warriors who could not
follow him in combat. He also asked the King to build big
pagodas at Nongsarai Sub-district in Supanburi and at Wat
Pakaew to celebrate his victory to match Phukhao Thong
pagoda that was built by King of Burma. This pagoda is
about 60 meters high in Ceylonese style named “Phra Chedi
Chai Mongkhon”. Normally it is called “Phra Chedi Yai” or
Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon now.
Wat Yai Chai Mongkol
Wat Yai Chai Mongkol is situated
to the southeast and opposite to Ayutthaya
city. A large Chedi of
this Wat can be seen from a far
distance. This monastery was
built by King U-Thong in 1357 A.D.
for the use of the monks who had
returned from Ceylon after studying
under Phra Vanarat Maha Thera.
People come to play respect and many tourists are seen
here especially during weekends.
Wat Yai Chaimongkhon Initially, this
monastery was constructed by King U-thong in 1900 B.E. to
accommodate the monks that once were ordained from Phra
Wanratana Mahathera Bureau in Ceylon. This denomination is
called "The Pakaew Group". Thereby this monastery was
named "Wat Pakaew". Later on many people were faithful in
this denomination. Many of them were ordained the monks of
this denomination so that Pakaew Group became prosperous
rapidly during that time.
Phra Rachathibodi then appointed the director of this sect
as the right-sided patriarch named "Phra Wanratana" while
"Phra Putthakosajarn" held the position of the left-sided
patriarch. Since the patriarch stayed here, this monastery
was named "Wat Chao Phayatai". The ubosot of this
monastery was the place where King Tianracha had prayed
for the throne before he could beat Khun Worawongsathiraj,
another candidate for the throne. In 2135 B.E. in the
reign of King Naresuan the Great, Phra Maha Uparacha of
Burma marched his army to Ayuthaya in order to take
control over the Thai Kingdom. King Naresuan then marched
his army to combat the invader. They met at Nong Sarai,
Suparn Buri district. King Naresuan had a fight on
elephant back with Phra Maha Uparacha. King Naresuan was
able to kill his rival but he could not destroy the
enemies army because his soldiers were further behind.
King Naresuan was full of rage when he came back to
Ayuthaya and wanted the commanders to be executed because
they were unable to follow him. However, Phra Wanratana of
Wat Pakaew asked him for the death penalty and suggested
him to build a Chedi to celebrate the victory instead.
King Naresuan the Great then decided to construct a large
Chedi in this monastery named Phra Chedi Chaimongkhon.
This monastery became "Wat Yai Chaimongkhon" later on.
The Great Chedi Chaya
Mongkhol
The Great Chedi Chaya Mongkhol was built by the command of
King Naresuan the Great, to commemorate his decisive
victory over the Burmese invasion in A.D. 1592. The event
was climaxed in the momentous elephant combat between the
King and the Burmese crown prince Maha Uparaja, in the
province of Suparnburi the renown of King Naresuan was
such that there was no more outside invasion for the
following two hundred years.
Thus, the Great Chedi serves as a symbol of prowess and
sacrifice of the King and his soldiers, who with their
national and religious devotion have brought about calm
and peaceful assurance to the Thai people.
