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Wat Phra Kaeo, Kamphaeng Phet
In the heart of town, this large temple was laid out in a rectangular plan. Important buildings were built along an east-west axis parallel to the southern
town wall. Considering the different forms and sizes of parts of the laterite bourdary wall, the buildings within the temple were presumably constructed and renovated at different times.
At the front of the temple is a vast highly elevated laterite base, on which the laterite core of the principle Buddha image, surrounded by sima stones,
remains. Behind the ordination hall base is a large square base of 3 receding tiers, presumed to be the base of a chedi. A stupa base with beautiful indented corner is believed to be a busabok (puspaka or throne) on which the Emerald Buddha image
was once placed. However, considering the architectural form, especially the ornamental mouldings, this stupa base looks similar to the lower base of a type of stupa known as a prang of the Ayutthaya period.
West of the ordination hall base is a large circular or bell-shaped chedi
believed to be the principal chedi of this temple. The 32 singha sculptures placed
in niches around the base of the main chedi was styled after the bell-shaped chedi
surrounded with elephant figures of the Sukhothai period. Above the singha sculptures are 16 niches enshrining Buddha images, almost all of which are in ruins.
The bell-shaped body of the chedi rests on 3 receding tiers in the form of lotuses. Above the stupa body decorated with lotus mouldings is a base of receding tiers in the form of lotuses with niches on four sides. On top of the stupa are
layers of receding circular mouldings and a tapering finial.
Behind the principal chedi is a square base, presumably that of a mandapa.
On the base is a laterite core of a sitting Buddha image in the attitude of subduing
Mara. Next to the mandapa base is the elevated base of a vihara. Inside the vihara
are three large Buddha images , two in the attitude of subduing Mara and the other
in the posture of reclining. Their square faces, joined eyebrows and almond eyes
are different from those of Buddha images in the Sukhothai style found in Kamphaeng
Phet, suggesting that these three Buddha images belong to the U-Thong style of
the early Ayutthaya period. Decorative stucco found around the base of this vihara
depicts scenes from the Ramayana. Broken pieces of these reliefs are on display at the Kamphaeng Phet National Museum.
At the back of the temple is a bell-shaped chedi on a rectangular base enclosed by a gallery. Thirty-two elephant sculptures were originally around the
base. Chedis were also at the four corners of the base. Chedis surrounded with elephant figures are very typical, and a configuration of five chedis with elephant figures around the base is quite a striking difference.
To the east of this chedi, traces of a large standing Buddha image enshrined in a niche were found. However, only the feet of the Buddha image
remain. In the Sukhothai period this standing Buddha statue was called “Phra Attharot”.
A group of ancient monuments at the back of the temple belongs to the
Sukhothai period. This group includes the five chedis with elephant figures carved
around the bases, the standing Buddha image named Phra Attharot, a vihara in
front of Phra Attharot, and part of the temple wall made of huge pieces of laterite.
Other ancient monuments towards the front, or east, might have been built in the Ayuthaya period under the influence of Sukhothai art.
According to legend of the Phra Buddha Sihing image, a book entitled
“Chinnakan Malipakon”, and the legend of the Emerald Buddha image these two
images were brought to Kamphaeng Phet to be enshrined in Wat Phra Kaeo.
When King Rama VI of the Rattanakosin period visited ancient Kamphaeng Phet,
he called a large group of ancient monuments in the heart of the town “Wat Phra Kaeo”, and it has been known by this name since then.
This important monastery is situated in the heart of Kamphaeng Phet City. Its walls are made of whole slabs of round sand stone laid parallel to the city walls. All structures within the monastery are made of sand stone and it is presided over by a large pagoda of Sri Lankan style.
Elephants around Chedi, Wat Phra Kaeo
Chedi of Wat Phra Kaeo
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