Wat Phu Khao Thong

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Wat Phu Khao Thong

Temple

A tall white chedi standing alone in the rice fields north-west of Ayutthaya, with a stepped base you can climb for views over the plain.

Wat Phu Khao Thong Map data © OpenStreetMap contributorsAyutthayaAyutthaya Historical ParkWat Phra Si SanphetWat ChaiwatthanaramWat RatchaburanaWat Yai Chai MongkhonWat Phanan ChoengWat Phu Khao Thong

Wat Phu Khao Thong essentials

Country: Thailand
Driest months: Dec-Feb
Pay in: Baht (฿)
Language: Thai
Emergency: 191

Wat Phu Khao Thong, the “Golden Mount” temple, stands in open farmland about 3 km north-west of Ayutthaya’s island, and its whitewashed chedi can be seen from far across the plain. The monastery is old: the chronicles credit King Ramesuan with founding it in the late 14th century, although historians treat that date with caution.

You can read the chedi’s history in its shape. According to tradition, the Burmese king Bayinnaung began a large Mon-Burmese-style chedi here after he captured Ayutthaya in 1569, but the work was never finished, and the broad, stepped lower terraces are thought to date from that project. The slimmer Thai-style bell-shaped chedi on top was added when King Borommakot rebuilt the monument in the 1740s. In 1956 the government placed a small gold ball on the tip to mark the 2,500th year of the Buddhist era.

Steep stairs lead up the base to a terrace at the foot of the upper chedi, from where you look out over the rice fields towards the temple towers of the old city. A memorial to King Naresuan stands just east of the chedi.

Things to Do
When to Go

Weather & Climate near Wat Phu Khao Thong#

Climate

Wat Phu Khao Thong's climate is classified as Tropical Savanna - Tropical Savanna climate with very hot summers (peaking in April) and hot winters (coldest in December). Temperatures range from 20°C to 36°C. Moderate rainfall (994 mm/year) with a pronounced dry season.

Air Quality: AQI 86 Moderate
Best Time to Visit
JanuaryDecemberFebruary
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
44°
Warmest Month
10°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
Month Comfort Temp Feels Rain Sky Humidity Wind UV Daylight
January Ideal 20° - 32° 26° 5 mm mostly sunny 60% 0.7 m/s 1.6 very high 11.3h
February Excellent 22° - 34° 28° 8 mm mostly sunny 57% 1.1 m/s 1.8 very high 11.6h
March Excellent 23° - 35° 31° 24 mm some cloud 58% 0.9 m/s 2.0 very high 11.9h
April Very Good 25° - 36° 34° 59 mm partly cloudy 62% 1.0 m/s 2.2 extreme 12.3h
May Acceptable 25° - 35° 35° 128 mm overcast 73% 1.0 m/s 2.2 extreme 12.7h
June Acceptable 25° - 33° 35° 104 mm overcast 79% 1.1 m/s 2.1 extreme 12.8h
July Acceptable 25° - 33° 34° 100 mm overcast 80% 1.3 m/s 2.1 extreme 12.8h
August Acceptable 24° - 32° 33° 131 mm overcast 82% 1.1 m/s 2.1 extreme 12.5h
September Acceptable 24° - 32° 33° 224 mm overcast 86% 0.7 m/s 2.0 very high 12.1h
October Good 24° - 31° 32° 173 mm partly cloudy 84% 0.7 m/s 1.8 very high 11.7h
November Excellent 22° - 31° 27° 35 mm some cloud 79% 1.1 m/s 1.7 very high 11.3h
December Ideal 20° - 31° 25° 3 mm mostly sunny 68% 1.0 m/s 1.6 very high 11.2h
Getting There & Around

How to Get to Wat Phu Khao Thong#

The temple is outside the island to the north-west, about 3 km from the centre. It is a pleasant bicycle ride on quiet roads from the old city or a short tuk-tuk trip, and it pairs well with Wat Na Phra Men, which is on the way.