Chedi Wat Sam Pluem
An ancient chedi that won a fight with the road planners, and now sits marooned in a roundabout.
Tours that include Chedi Wat Sam Pluem
Guided visits and day-tour combos that include Chedi Wat Sam Pluem.
Why go, and how to do it well
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 curbside rather than out of a moving window.
Written by Mac Kiley · Updated Sep 2026
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Tours that include Chedi Wat Sam Pluem
Guided visits and day-tour combos that include Chedi Wat Sam Pluem.
Around here, on foot
Well-rated places within a short walk of Chedi Wat Sam Pluem, nearest first. Minutes are at an easy pace in the heat.
- 1 minKhaotom Chedi (Khaotom Pak Ma)Restaurants & Food · 70 m · 4.1★
- 1 minKWANS AyutthayaHotels & Resorts · 110 m · 4.7★
- 1 minGreat Thai Cuisine & SteakActivities & Tours · 120 m · 4.8★
- 4 minAurora Aesthetic SpaWellness & Spas · 350 m · 4.7★
- 6 minBaan Thai HouseHotels & Resorts · 520 m · 4.7★
- 7 minNai Khlong Boat NoodlesRestaurants & Food · 540 m · 4.5★
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.
120 ตำบล คลองสวนพลู Tambon Khlong Suan Plu, Amphoe Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Chang Wat Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya 13000, Thailand
Open in Google MapsMore temples & culture nearby
All within 1.4 km of Chedi Wat Sam Pluem.
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Tips for Visiting Temples & Culture
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.
Go Early Morning
Big-name temples are dramatically less crowded in the first hour after opening. You'll also avoid the worst of the midday heat and get softer light for photos.
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).
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