Hidden amongst the bustling streets of Ayutthaya lies a mystery. Wat Daeng Thammasat a temple lost to time. Its existence whispers from the pages of history. The Royal Chronicles of Ayutthaya mention Wat Daeng. This is the Red Monastery. It stood south of Wat Nang Krai and north of Wat Khok Khamin. Wat Tamnak was to its east.
The chronicles speak of its presence before Phraya Taksin’s escape southward. The Burmese army advanced. They established stockades within Wat Daeng’s walls. The Burmese also occupied other monasteries nearby. These included the Monastery of the Krachai Plant the Monastery of the Victory Pavilion and the Monastery of the God Indra.
Today no above-ground traces of Wat Daeng Thammasat remain. Archaeological investigations by the Fine Arts Department unearthed some remnants. These were found at 14°20’15.03″N 100°33’12.85″E. However details regarding its construction remain elusive. Even its precise location within the southern area of Ayutthaya is debated.
A mid-19th-century map omits Wat Daeng Thammasat. However Phraya Boran Rachathanin’s 1926 map shows it. This indicates the temple’s importance. It was clearly significant enough to be documented despite its eventual ruin. The very name Wat Daeng Thammasat echoes with a hint of its vibrant past. The word “Daeng” means red. It suggests the monastery was once painted a striking crimson.
Wat Daeng Thammasat’s story speaks volumes. The temple’s absence is a poignant reminder of Ayutthaya’s tumultuous history. The echoes of battles the sounds of Burmese soldiers. These have faded into silence. Yet Wat Daeng Thammasat’s legacy endures. A silent testament to a forgotten past. The temple continues to intrigue researchers. They hope to unravel more mysteries within this lost sacred space. The whispers of Wat Daeng Thammasat continue to echo in the heart of Ayutthaya.