Wat Chaiwatthanaram
Ayutthaya's riverside Khmer-style ruin, ฿80 at the gate or on the ฿300 seven-temple ticket. Come late afternoon for the light, since the grounds close at dusk.
Plan your visit
- Hours
- Daily 08:00–18:30
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.
Finding your way around Wat Chaiwatthanaram
Layouts, fares and hours change. If something here has moved, use “Suggest a correction” at the bottom of the page.
Tickets, hours and the night lighting
- Entry · ฿80
- For foreigners, paid at the gate (Thai visitors ฿10).
- Seven-temple ticket · ฿300
- Covers Wat Chaiwatthanaram and six other Ayutthaya sites, and pays for itself by the fourth temple.
- Hours
- Google lists 08:00 to 18:30 daily. Some listings give 17:00 on weekdays, so be inside by mid-afternoon.
- After dark
- Only during the Fine Arts Department's seasonal events, most recently 26 December 2025 to 1 February 2026, 16:30 to 21:30. Otherwise the lit-up view is from the river.
- Dress
- Shoulders and knees covered. Shops by the entrance rent traditional Thai clothing for photos.
Getting there and around
- The temple is on the west bank of the Chao Phraya, across the river from the historic island. A tuk-tuk costs about ฿200–300 an hour, a rented bicycle ฿50–100 a day, and the late-afternoon boat trips around the island pass it.
Details
Full opening hours
Tours that include Wat Chaiwatthanaram
Guided visits and day-tour combos that include Wat Chaiwatthanaram.
Why go, and how to do it well
If you only fit one temple into an Ayutthaya day trip, make it this one. King Prasat Thong built it in 1630 as a memorial to his mother, in the Khmer style, a 35-meter central prang ringed by four smaller prangs, eight chedi-shaped chapels and a gallery that once held 120 seated Buddhas, most of them headless now. It sits on the west bank of the Chao Phraya, outside the historic island, with nothing crowding it. The grounds are wide and open, brick paths underfoot, and reviewers keep using words like calm and slow. That's fair.
Entry is ฿80 for foreigners at the gate, or it's one of the seven temples on the ฿300 combined ticket, which pays for itself by the fourth. Google lists it open daily 08:00 to 18:30, though some listings give 17:00 on weekdays, so I'd be inside by mid-afternoon and stay for the last of the light. Cover shoulders and knees. Shops near the entrance rent traditional Thai clothing, which is why you'll see so many photo shoots on the paths.
The floodlights are the part people misread. The grounds open after dark only during the Fine Arts Department's seasonal events, most recently from 26 December 2025 to 1 February 2026, 16:30 to 21:30. Outside those dates it's a daytime visit, and the evening view is from the river on one of the boat trips that loop the island at sunset.
It's across the river from the main temples, so a bicycle (฿50 to ฿100 a day in town) means a long ride over the bridge, and a tuk-tuk at about ฿200 to ฿300 an hour is the easier way to fit it into the same day. The Fine Arts Department restored it from 1987 and reopened it in 1992, and the 2011 floods put it under two meters of water, which is why you'll still see conservation work in progress. In September 2026 the army built flood barriers along the river here and the temple stayed open.
Written by Mac Kiley · Updated Oct 2026
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Experience hints
Pair your visit. After Wat Chaiwatthanaram, round out your day in Ayutthaya with contrasting stops nearby.
Reviews from Google
Wat Chaiwatthanaram, Ayutthaya Province: A Place of Tranquility and Solemnity In the long river of history, Wat Chaiwatthanaram shines like a brilliant pearl, quietly embedded in the depths of time. It is not only a treasure of Buddhist art but also a guardian of profound historical culture; every brick and tile tells a story of past glory and vicissitudes. Stepping into this temple is like traveling through a time tunnel. The ancient pagodas and exquisite Buddha statues evoke a transcendent tranquility and solemnity. The Buddha statues enshrined within possess a dignified expression, retaining their sacredness despite the passage of time, as if conveying boundless wisdom and compassion to the world. Wat Chaiwatthanaram is not only a religious sanctuary but also an epitome of Thai history and culture. Every carving and every stone slab contains profound cultural significance and historical stories, attracting countless tourists and scholars for pilgrimage and research. Here, you can quiet your mind and listen to the ancient, melodious chanting, feeling the unbroken power of faith from ancient times to the present. Chaiwat Thanaram Temple is a refuge of faith and a solace for the soul; it speaks of the past and inspires the future in a silent language.
WAT CHAIWATTHANARAM CONSERVATION PROJECT The Fine Arts Department of Thailand's Ministry of Culture and World Monuments Fund are working together to conserve Wat Chaiwatthanaram, a landmark temple in Ayutthaya Historical Park. This collaboration began in response to the devastating 2011 floods, which caused widespread damage to the site. Since then, the project has conducted thorough surveys, assessments, and documentation of the site's condition, leading to the design and implementation of improved drainage and flood control systems. With these foundational plans in place, conservation efforts have shifted to address the temple's specific needs. Currently, the work focuses on preserving the Meru pavilions and the surrounding galleries of the central prang. This important conservation initiative is undertaken by World Monuments Fund through funding from the Friends of Heritage Preservation and the Robert W. Wilson Challenge to Conserve Our Heritage. The Thai Government has also made a significant commitment to ensure the long-term protection of this historic site.
This is easily one of the most stunning temples in Ayutthaya. Even though it’s slightly outside the main city center, it is absolutely worth the trip. It’s a popular spot for photography; you’ll see many people doing professional photoshoots here. There are plenty of shops nearby where you can rent traditional Thai clothing. We’re so glad we added this to our itinerary
A sample of visitor reviews from Google. Read all 21,672 reviews on Google.
31 8GVR+8PW 1 ตำบล บ้านป้อม Tambon Ban Pom, Amphoe Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Chang Wat Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya 13000, Thailand
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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.
Wat Chaiwatthanaram: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the entrance fee for Wat Chaiwatthanaram?
฿80 for foreigners, or it's included in the ฿300 seven-temple ticket for Ayutthaya's main sites.
Is Wat Chaiwatthanaram open at night?
Only during seasonal light-up events run by the Fine Arts Department, most recently from 26 December 2025 to 1 February 2026, 16:30 to 21:30. On a normal day the grounds close in the early evening.
What is Wat Chaiwatthanaram?
A royal temple King Prasat Thong built in 1630 as a memorial to his mother, in the Khmer style, with a 35-meter central prang, four smaller prangs and eight chedi-shaped chapels. It was restored from 1987 and reopened in 1992.
How do I get to Wat Chaiwatthanaram from Ayutthaya town?
It's across the river from the island, so a tuk-tuk (about ฿200–300 an hour) is easiest. A bicycle works but it's a long ride over the bridge, and evening boat trips pass it on the river.
Is Wat Chaiwatthanaram worth visiting?
Wat Chaiwatthanaram holds a 4.7★ rating from 21,672 Google reviews, placing it among the highest-rated temples & culture in Ayutthaya.
When is the best time to visit Wat Chaiwatthanaram?
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).
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