Chedi Wat Sam Pluem
You don't visit this one. You drive around it, and that's the whole point. The chedi sits in the middle of a working roundabout on the main approach into Ayutthaya, traffic bending around it because nobody could shift it. Locals call it the gangster pagoda, and the story goes that when the authorities wanted it gone for road works, protests saw it stay put and the road built around it instead. True or not, it's a good story, and the thing is still standing.
For most people it's the moment Ayutthaya starts. You come over the bridge, you see it, you're here. There's no path in and no way to walk up to it, so treat it as a sighting rather than a stop. Reviewers reckon it looks best lit up after dark, which makes an evening arrival a small bonus. If you're in a taxi or tuk-tuk, a slow full loop gives you the best angle, and photos are easiest from the kerbside rather than out of a moving window.
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Experience hints
Pair your visit. After Chedi Wat Sam Pluem, round out your day in Ayutthaya with contrasting stops nearby.
Reviews from Google
On the way to the ruins of Ayutthaya, I took a taxi and crossed a bridge. I took a shortcut before this roundabout, skipping it. But actually, I think it would be better to go around this roundabout three times and say hello before going. There is an anecdote that when the government once tried to demolish the pagoda as part of urban development, local gangs protested, and as a result, the government was unable to demolish the pagoda and instead built a roundabout to bypass it. It sounds like a lie, but I wonder... Also known as Gangster Chedi. #gangsterchedi
Really cool ancient Chedi in the middle of the roundabout. Free but not worth stopping at since it is in the middle and doesn't really have access to it. Just drive around it.
Ayutthaya's milestone. You know you have reached Ayutthaya when you see this pagoda. One of the most iconic roundabout in Thailand. Just forget to take an exit, though.
A sample of visitor reviews from Google. Read all 1,549 reviews on Google.
Also Popular in Ayutthaya
Ayothaya Floating Market
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Ayutthaya City Park
Air-conditioned refuge with 500-odd shops, a Lotus, a Robinson and a Sizzler, all joined up under one roof.
Sriayuthaya Lion Park
A big, clean zoo with cheap feeding stations, brilliant with kids, but the animal shows sit badly with some.
Chet Sao Noi National Park
Seven gentle tiers along a shaded stream, and really only the fourth one is worth getting wet in.
Chedi Wat Sam Pluem: Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chedi Wat Sam Pluem worth visiting?
Chedi Wat Sam Pluem holds a 4.5★ rating from 1,549 Google reviews, placing it among the highest-rated temples & culture in Ayutthaya.
When is the best time to visit Chedi Wat Sam Pluem?
The best months to visit Ayutthaya are November – February, with the most reliable weather. Crowds peak in November – February — going early in the day usually means fewer people. Months to think twice about: August – October (flooding risk).
Where is Chedi Wat Sam Pluem located?
Chedi Wat Sam Pluem is at 120 ตำบล คลองสวนพลู Tambon Khlong Suan Plu, Amphoe Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Chang Wat Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya 13000, Thailand, in Ayutthaya. Getting around Ayutthaya: Bicycle rental (best way to see ruins); Tuk-tuks (negotiate half-day rate).
Visitor Information
Best time to visit
November – February
Avoid: August – October (flooding risk)
Rainy season
June – October
Avg. temperature
22°C – 38°C(72°F – 100°F)
Crowds
Peak: November – February
Getting there
Train from Bangkok Hua Lamphong (~1.5 hrs, very cheap). Minivan from Bangkok's Mo Chit (~1.5 hrs). A day trip by car from Bangkok is easy.
Getting around
- •Bicycle rental (best way to see ruins)
- •Tuk-tuks (negotiate half-day rate)
- •Motorbike rental
- •Boat tours on the river
Where to stay near Chedi Wat Sam Pluem
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Tips for Visiting Temples & Culture
Dress Modestly
Cover shoulders and knees at all temples. Carry a light scarf or sarong — some temples lend wraps, but not all. Shoes come off before entering any building with a Buddha image.
Mind Your Feet
Never point your feet at a Buddha image or a monk — it's considered deeply disrespectful. When sitting inside a temple, tuck your feet behind you or to the side.
Ask Before Photographing
Exterior photos are almost always fine, but some interior halls prohibit photography. Look for signs, and never pose irreverently with Buddha images — it's a legal offense in Thailand.
Nearby Places
Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon, Reclining Buddha,
A historic Ayutthaya temple renowned for its striking reclining Buddha and serene, well-preserved grounds.
Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon
Forty baht gets you a towering victory chedi, orange-robed Buddhas and a climb worth the sweat.
Wat Maheyong
A peaceful Ayutthaya temple complex with ancient chedis, atmospheric ruins, a cave shrine, and a tranquil lakeside setting.
Meditation Center Wat Maheyong
A working meditation temple in Ayutthaya, not a ruin to photograph and tick off.
Similar Temples & Culture Across Thailand
Wat Phra Kaew
Go at 08:30 or don't bother, the Emerald Buddha's courtyards fill up fast and stay full until closing.
Doi Suthep Temple
Go at first light, before the tour vans arrive, and the golden chedi and the whole Chiang Mai valley are yours.
The Grand Palace
Go at 08:30 sharp, cover your shoulders and legs, and give it three hours rather than one.
The Sanctuary of Truth Museum
A hand-carved wooden giant still under construction, and watching the carpenters work is half the point.
Where to stay near Chedi Wat Sam Pluem
Find hotels in Ayutthaya on the booking sites travellers trust most.
- Compare prices across sites
- Filter for free cancellation
- Secure checkout on the partner site
Compare rates on Booking.com
Largest selection
Compare rates on Expedia
Bundle & save
Compare rates on Hotels.com
Member prices
We may earn a commission from bookings made through these links — at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
Location Info
Visitor Information
Best time to visit
November – February
Avoid: August – October (flooding risk)
Rainy season
June – October
Avg. temperature
22°C – 38°C(72°F – 100°F)
Crowds
Peak: November – February
Getting there
Train from Bangkok Hua Lamphong (~1.5 hrs, very cheap). Minivan from Bangkok's Mo Chit (~1.5 hrs). A day trip by car from Bangkok is easy.
Getting around
- •Bicycle rental (best way to see ruins)
- •Tuk-tuks (negotiate half-day rate)
- •Motorbike rental
- •Boat tours on the river