Wat Phanom Pleung
| Native Name | วัดเขาพนมเพลิง, វត្តភ្នំភ្លើង |
|---|---|
| Alternative name | Wat Khao Phanom Phloeng |
| BA# | T64017 |
| Size | Medium |
| Condition | Ruin |
| Type | Temple |
| Location | |
| Part of | Sajanalaya |
| Commune | Nong O |
| District | Si Satchanalai |
| Province | Sukhothai |
| Country | Thailand |
| Coordinates | 17.43415, 99.78459 |
| History | |
| Founded | Late 12th - Early 13th Century |
| Builder | Jayavarman VII, Indravarman II |
| Art Style | Bayon, Post Angkor S |
| Material | Laterite, Brick |
| Religion | Buddhist |
| UNESCO Inscription | 1992 |
Wat Phanom Pleung (วัดเขาพนมเพลิง - Pronounced: Wot P'nom Pl'eurng)
Located on the eastern spur of the range of low hills that cuts through the walled settlement of Sajanalaya, the present-day name of this small, partially-ruined sanctuary belies its Khmer origins. Unlike areas of northeastern Thailand, this region today possesses no Khmer-speaking population and, even during the Angkor period, undoubtedly didn't do so either apart from a few administrators, priests and officers yet the name Phnom Pleung - translated as fire mountain or literally volcano - has survived to this day.
The name is colloquial and certainly not the original title while - unlike Phanom Rung - the low hill is not of volcanic origin either so it is conceivable that Phnom Pleung is rather a memory of the function of the sanctuary which would then logically have been that of a fire temple or dharmasala.
Whatever the structure's original function it received the same subsequent, Theravada, Sukhothai period makeover as other Si Satchanalai sites with a columned hall set upon a laterite base or platform. To the rear is a square brick platform housing a seated Buddha image and rounded, Sri Lanka-style, brick chedi, on a multi-tiered square base. It is likely that the laterite foundations date to the Khmer era as would the wide laterite staircase leading from the southeast to the summit of the low hill. Additional laterite steps lead to the ruins of small ancillary structures to the northeast while steps descend to the southwest connecting to a staircase rising to the main entrance of Wat Khao Suwankhiri - a larger, less ruined, monument on the adjacent hilltop.
A small but intriguing monument with a picturesque setting.
Map Location
Image Gallery
Columned hall and Buddha platform
Annex structure to the northeast
Well-preserved Sukhothai-period shrine
Main stairs from the southeast
Rounded chedi on a square base
Traces of laterite foundations in front of the chedi
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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
- Sajanalaya
- Si Satchanalai Monument 11
- Si Satchanalai Monument 15
- Si Satchanalai Monument 25
- Si Satchanalai Monument 26
- Wat Chang Lom (Si Satchanalai)
- Wat Chedi Jet Taew
- Wat Khao Suwankhiri
- Wat Lak Muang
- Wat Pha Kham
- Wat Phanom Pleung
- Wat Som Siew
- Wat Suan Keow Utthayan Noi
- Wat Suan Keow Utthayan Yai
External Links
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References
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