Wat Phra Si Sanphet
The three royal chedis on Ayutthaya's old palace grounds. ฿80 for foreign visitors or part of the ฿300 seven-temple ticket, open from 08:00, with free Wihan Phra Mongkhon Bophit next door.
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 Phra Si Sanphet
Layouts, fares and hours change. If something here has moved, use “Suggest a correction” at the bottom of the page.
What you're looking at
- The three chedis
- Two from 1492 for the ashes of King Borommatrailokkanat and King Borommaracha III, and the third from 1529 for King Ramathibodi II. Restored by the Fine Arts Department in 1956.
- The lost Buddha
- The 16 m standing Buddha was covered in gold, which the Burmese army melted off when it burned the city in 1767.
- Wihan Phra Mongkhon Bophit
- The hall with the huge bronze Buddha next door. Free, and it closes earlier, at 16:30 on weekdays and 17:00 at weekends.
Getting there and around
- It's in the middle of Ayutthaya island, a short ride west of Wat Mahathat. A rented bicycle costs ฿50 to ฿100 a day.
Details
Full opening hours
Tours that include Wat Phra Si Sanphet
Guided visits and day-tour combos that include Wat Phra Si Sanphet.
Why go, and how to do it well
Get here at opening. By 10:00 the tour groups arrive, and the three chedis standing in a row, the view that ends up on every postcard of Ayutthaya, are hard to photograph without a crowd in the frame. This was the royal temple inside the old palace, used by the kings themselves rather than by monks. Two of the chedis went up in 1492 for the ashes of King Borommatrailokkanat and his son Borommaracha III, and the third in 1529 for King Ramathibodi II.
What's missing tells the rest of the story. The temple's 16 m standing Buddha was covered in gold, and when the Burmese army took the city in 1767 they set it on fire and melted the gold off. The laterite walls, broken images and those three towers, restored by the Fine Arts Department in 1956, are what's left. The grounds are open, flat and tidy, and they reward walking slowly. It's the natural centerpiece of the historical park, and most people fold it into a loop of the surrounding ruins.
Entry is ฿80 for foreign visitors and ฿10 for Thais, or it's one of the seven temples on the ฿300 combined ticket, with Wat Mahathat, Wat Ratchaburana, Wat Phra Ram, Wat Chaiwatthanaram, Wat Maheyong and Wat Kudi Dao. Ticket booths open at 08:00, and the provincial tourism office gives 18:00 as closing. In recent cool seasons the Fine Arts Department has also opened it with five other sites on Friday to Sunday evenings from 16:30 to 21:30, lit up, so check whether that's running when you go.
Wihan Phra Mongkhon Bophit, the hall with the huge bronze Buddha right next door, is free and closes earlier, at 16:30 on weekdays and 17:00 at weekends, so do it first if you arrive late. There's very little shade, so bring a hat and water, and cover your shoulders and knees. The temples are further apart than they look on a map, and a rented bicycle at ฿50 to ฿100 a day is the easy way round.
Written by Mac Kiley · Updated Oct 2026
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Best rated within a 15-minute walk
Tours that include Wat Phra Si Sanphet
Guided visits and day-tour combos that include Wat Phra Si Sanphet.
Around here, on foot
Well-rated places within a short walk of Wat Phra Si Sanphet, nearest first. Minutes are at an easy pace in the heat.
- 1 minAyutthaya Historical ParkTemples & Culture · 60 m · 4.7★
- 2 minWiharn Phra Mongkhon BophitTemples & Culture · 130 m · 4.7★
- 3 minKing Ramathibodi I MonumentTemples & Culture · 280 m · 4.7★
- 4 minKum Khun PhaanTemples & Culture · 320 m · 4.4★
- 4 minAyutthaya Royal PalaceTemples & Culture · 350 m · 4.5★
- 6 minWat Phra RamTemples & Culture · 440 m · 4.6★
Experience hints
Pair your visit. After Wat Phra Si Sanphet, round out your day in Ayutthaya with contrasting stops nearby.
Reviews from Google
Did this as part of a tour via trip.com -- Ayutthaya Temples & Ayothaya Floating Market Tour This was a fantastic full-day tour and a great way to experience Ayutthaya. Our guide, Jenny, was excellent from the very first “hello” at the meeting point until the end of the day. She was friendly, highly knowledgeable, and added real depth and context to every place we visited. Our driver, Gai, was equally impressive—very safe and professional, always waiting with the VIP minibus cooled down and ready to go. The meeting point was at 09:50 near Robinsons McDonald’s, next to Terminal 21 Mall. It’s easiest to reach via BTS or MRT (Asoke/Sukhumvit stations), as Bangkok traffic can be unpredictable. If you’re taking a taxi, it’s best to go only as far as the nearest Skytrain or subway station. There’s also a 24-hour Topps supermarket directly below the meeting point, which is handy for grabbing last-minute water, snacks, or mosquito spray. The VIP minivan (around 10–12 guests) was very comfortable. We headed north past Don Mueang Airport, with the journey taking just over an hour depending on traffic. During the day we visited three impressive historic temples, with the Ayothaya Floating Market visited after the first temple. At each stop, Jenny highlighted the must-see features before giving us plenty of free time to explore at our own pace. Her explanations really brought the history to life. Lunch was at the floating market area, where there are plenty of food options and reasonably priced stalls (I’d had a big breakfast, so it was a bit early for me). There’s also a coffee shop stop after the third temple. Highlights included seeing the famous Buddha head entwined in tree roots—remember to sit down when taking photos here. Ladies should cover their shoulders when visiting temples, and you’ll be advised where to remove shoes and hats. Many locations provide umbrellas to help with the heat, which was a nice touch. After the final temple, we made the relaxed drive back to the meeting point. You can enjoy snacks and drinks on the bus or simply nod off after a full day. The tour never felt rushed and was extremely well organised. Overall, it was a great experience, delivered superbly by Jenny. 👍🏼🙏🏼
This is a fantastic spot in Ayutthaya and worth visiting. I would recommend going to visit the historical site in a private car or rental car. You can also rent a bike to cycle around the site but each stupa, temple or bhudda statue can be far apart so it's a fair cycle around. Walking is possible but it does get hot so bring a hat and lots of water.
This is a must-visit destination in Ayutthaya! It offers a fascinating glimpse into Thailand's history. For just 80 baht, you can enjoy a lovely stroll through the area, which is well-maintained and tidy. ✨
A sample of visitor reviews from Google. Read all 13,668 reviews on Google.
Pratu Chai Sub-district, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya District, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya 13000, Thailand
Open in Google MapsMore temples & culture nearby
All within a 3-minute walk of Wat Phra Si Sanphet.
Ayutthaya Historical Park
Wiharn Phra Mongkhon Bophit
Benjarat Maha Prasat Throne Hall
King Ramathibodi I Monument
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 Phra Si Sanphet: Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the entrance fee for Wat Phra Si Sanphet?
฿80 for foreign visitors and ฿10 for Thais. The ฿300 combined ticket covers it with Wat Mahathat, Wat Ratchaburana, Wat Phra Ram, Wat Chaiwatthanaram, Wat Maheyong and Wat Kudi Dao.
What are Wat Phra Si Sanphet's opening hours?
From 08:00, closing at 18:00 by the provincial tourism office. In recent cool seasons the Fine Arts Department has also opened it with five other sites on Friday to Sunday evenings, 16:30 to 21:30, lit up.
How long do you need at Wat Phra Si Sanphet?
About 45 minutes, plus a few minutes in Wihan Phra Mongkhon Bophit next door. Arrive at 08:00, before the tour groups.
Is Wat Phra Si Sanphet worth visiting?
Wat Phra Si Sanphet holds a 4.7★ rating from 13,668 Google reviews, placing it among the highest-rated temples & culture in Ayutthaya.
When is the best time to visit Wat Phra Si Sanphet?
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 Wat Phra Si Sanphet located?
Wat Phra Si Sanphet is at Pratu Chai Sub-district, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya District, 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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