Travel Like The Wind : Suchart Choolee
Climb to the top of the great pagoda to enjoy a panoramic view of Ayutthaya and feel the sacred atmosphere that reflects Thailand’s glorious past. Each step upward becomes a path toward the heavens — a journey of faith rising toward the sky. At the summit, many visitors make a wish and toss a coin for good luck, a symbolic gesture of belief and hope for blessings in life. A sign appears on the wall, yet she pauses to be certain, for words can hold more than one meaning — just as every ascent here unfolds as both a passage through history and a spiritual awakening.
Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon ranks among the most significant historical temples in Ayutthaya and remains a beloved destination for Thai and foreign travelers alike. Throughout the serene grounds, visitors often wander in quiet admiration of ancient architecture and the echoes of a glorious past. The temple’s towering pagoda — the tallest in Ayutthaya — stands proudly as a symbol of victory and faith. Behind the main complex rests the Royal Pavilion of King Naresuan the Great, where devotees gather to pay respect and offer prayers. Peaceful gardens filled with lush greenery surround the temple, offering a tranquil retreat after a long exploration through centuries of history.
Originally known as Wat Pa Kaew, the temple was founded during the early Ayutthaya period under King U-Thong (King Ramathibodi I), the founder of Ayutthaya, around 1357 (B.E. 1900). According to legend, the sacred site rose upon the cremation ground of a royal named Chao Kaew, who died from cholera. Over time, Wat Pa Kaew evolved into a respected center for Buddhist learning, deeply influenced by monks from Sri Lanka. Monks from this temple gained high reverence and drew numerous disciples from across the kingdom.
A remarkable historical episode occurred when Wat Pa Kaew became the gathering place for nobles who conspired to overthrow Khun Worawongsathirat and Thao Sri Sudachan. Their plan succeeded, allowing Prince Thianracha to ascend the throne as King Maha Chakkraphat. Later, during the reign of King Naresuan the Great, the temple once more became a witness to national history.
In 1592 (B.E. 2135), King Naresuan led his army against the Burmese Crown Prince Mingyi Swa at Nong Sarai, Suphanburi. The legendary Elephant Battle (Yuthahatthi) unfolded there, where King Naresuan triumphed in single combat — an act of unparalleled bravery. Upon his victorious return, he commissioned the construction of a grand pagoda at Wat Pa Kaew to commemorate the triumph, renaming the temple Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon, meaning “The Great Temple of Auspicious Victory.”
Today, Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon stands as both a monument to Thailand’s glorious past and a sanctuary for those seeking a connection with timeless harmony — a union of faith, courage, and peace. Climbing the steep steps feels like rising through the ages, until the summit reveals the wind whispering through ancient bricks, and for a fleeting moment, the heavens seem within reach.
To travel like the wind is to move freely — to drift through time and space without boundaries, guided only by wonder. In Ayutthaya, the ancient capital of Thailand, such a journey leads to Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon, where the breath of history still flows and every step tells a story of faith, victory, and eternal peace.
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