Execution ground turned school? That’s the surprising story behind Wat Suwannaram School. This place has quite the past.
Wat Suwannaram School stands near the historic Wat Suwannaram temple. The temple dates back to the Ayutthaya period. It was originally known as Wat Thong.
King Taksin used Wat Thong as an execution ground. Burmese prisoners of war met their end here. This adds a chilling layer to the school’s history.
Later King Phutthayotfa Chulalok, or Rama I, gave the temple a new name. He called it Wat Suwannaram. This signified royal patronage.
King Chulalongkorn, Rama V, continued the somber tradition. The grounds became the Royal Cremation site. Royal family members and top officials were cremated here. Imagine the ceremonies and solemn processions that once occurred here.
Today Wat Suwannaram School stands on a site steeped in history. It is a place where life and death once converged.
Around Wat Suwannaram, traditional communities thrive. Ban Bu is nearby. It’s the last community of bronzework handicraft makers in Bangkok. Wat Thong Market offers a local flea market experience. This market has been around for over 100 years. An old traditional Thai medicine pharmacy is also close. You can also find the Bangkok Noi Museum and Bangkok Noi Railway Station nearby.
Even ghost stories linger. Some say the temple grounds are haunted. A spirit house on the school playground honors Burmese soldier spirits. People claim to have seen ghosts near the bell tower and pier.
The temple’s ordination hall holds stunning murals. King Nangklao, Rama III, commissioned them. Luang Wichijesda and Chinese Luang Seniborirak painted them. They depicted stories of Prince Nemi and Prince Mahosadha. These murals are considered masterpieces of the Rattanakosin era. Eighty percent of them are still preserved today.
Wat Suwannaram’s principal Buddha image is Phra Satsada. Many people make vows here daily. They bring a loincloth to tie around the waist. Then they run around the ordination hall three times. They make sounds like a horse. This is called “running the horse.”
Wat Suwannaram School carries on a legacy. It’s a legacy of history, art, and even a bit of the supernatural. It is a place where the echoes of the past resonate. It is a place that educates future generations.