Is that a pagoda leaning? You’re right, it is! That’s the Phra Chedi Mutao, a key feature of Wat Pora Mai Yi Ka Wat. This Buddhist temple, nestled on Ko Kret island, holds a curious story. Built in the late Ayutthaya period, Wat Pora Mai Yi Ka Wat wasn’t always its name. It was once “Wat Pak Ao”, meaning “estuary temple”. But war and time took their toll. Left abandoned after Burmese occupation, its revival came with the Mons, who arrived during King Taksin’s reign. They started its restoration, calling it “Pia Moo Kia Terng”, meaning “temple at the cape”. Years later, King Chulalongkorn, impressed by the Mon style, ordered a complete overhaul. He dedicated this to his grandmother, renaming it “Wat Pora Mai Yi Ka Wat” – “temple of grandmother”. Inside, you’ll find vibrant murals bringing Thai tradition to life. But it’s the leaning Phra Chedi Mutao that captures everyone’s attention. Originally upright, erosion caused its tilt around 1891. Now, it stands as a quirky landmark, mirroring the resilience and adaptation woven into the history of Wat Pora Mai Yi Ka Wat.
Wat Kan Matuyaram
Did Mr. Kan’s mother ever imagine that a simple flower garden would one day become Wat Kan Matuyaram, a tranquil