Wat Chao Chan
| Native Name | วัดเจ้าจันทร์, វត្តចៅចាន់ |
|---|---|
| BA# | T64002 |
| CISARK# | 2436 |
| Size | Medium |
| Condition | Intact |
| Type | Arogyasala, Temple |
| Location | |
| Part of | Chaliang |
| Commune | Si Satchanalai |
| District | Si Satchanalai |
| Province | Sukhothai |
| Country | Thailand |
| Coordinates | 17.42862, 99.80442 |
| History | |
| Founded | Early 13th Century |
| Builder | Jayavarman VII, Indravarman II |
| Art Style | Bayon, Post Angkor S |
| Material | Laterite |
| Religion | Buddhist |
| Deity | Lokesvara |
| Year/s Restored | 2015? |
| UNESCO Inscription | 1991 |
Wat Chao Chan (วัดเจ้าจันทร์ - Pronounced: Wot Chao Chan)
The small but well-preserved brick and laterite sanctuary, today known as Wat Chao Chan, is probably the single site at Chaliang site that has undergone the least subsequent modifications and that most clearly displays its Khmer origins. The 'wat' consists of a laterite tower featuring Bayon period architectural elements with an eastern entrance beyond which a columned but unroofed hall extends. Both the brick platform in the centre of this hall and a small brick mondop on the northern side are later additions. (The interior of the latter features a crudely sculpted brick Buddha image.)
The site is generally accepted to represent a hospital chapel or arogyasala, dates to the early 13th century - late-Bayon period - and was possibly completed or commissioned by Indravarman II. (It is worth pointing out that, while generally speaking few archaeologists contest the site's Khmer style and origins, if the laterite tower was simply changed to a brick chedi then the temple would immediately take on the appearance of any number of the area's smaller Sukhothai-period ruins.)
The interior of the tower holds 2 sandstone pedestals while some very eroded Buddha images can be seen in the hall although otherwise, the site is lacking in decoration.
Map Location
Image Gallery
View from the east
Main shrine with a later brick structure to the north
Eastern porch - probably restored in the 16th Century
Pedestals
Overview from southeast
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Historic Archive
A collection of historic photographs, artist sketches, maps etc. (Please ensure that anything you do upload is free of copyright and/or you have permission from the original photographer/artist/author to share)
Nearby Sites
- Ban Pa Yang
- Chaliang
- Chaliang Monument 32
- Sa Bua
- Sajanalaya
- Si Satchanalai Community Museum
- Si Satchanalai South Monument 10
- Wat Chao Chan
- Wat Chedi Chet Taew
- Wat Chom Cheun
- Wat Chom Cheun Archaeological Site Museum
- Wat Khok Singkharam
- Wat Lak Muang
- Wat Nang Phaya
- Wat Noi
- Wat Noi Champi
- Wat Pa Fack
- Wat Pa Khamin
- Wat Pa Krasa
- Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat (Sukhothai)
- Wat Suan Keow Utthayan Noi
- Wat Suan Keow Utthayan Yai
- Wat Thung Setti
- Wat Wi Han Noi
External Links
Links to additional resources such as articles, websites, videos etc.
Photos and description of the site from 'Tim's Thailand.'
References