🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
Wat Chaiwatthanaram was built in 1630 (B.E. 2173) during the reign of King Prasat Thong. One story says he built it to honour his royal mother, while some accounts call it a monument to a victory over the Khmer. Either way, that history is why the temple's layout and prang came out in a Khmer style, closer to Angkor Wat than to the other temples on Ayutthaya's central island.
The temple sits on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River in Ban Pom subdistrict, just outside the main island of Ayutthaya. From the opposite bank the prang reflects beautifully in the water — it is one of the shots people come back for at sunset.
Why this temple is worth it
- Khmer-style central prang — the big prang in the middle represents Mount Meru, ringed by smaller satellite prangs and corner chedis. It is a cosmic layout you rarely see at a Thai temple.
- Right on the Chao Phraya River — the evening light turns the old brick a golden orange, and it is a sunset spot locals genuinely like.
- Lit up at night — during the evening openings the prangs are floodlit, and the mood is completely different from the daytime visit.
- Thai costume photos — there are rental shops all around the temple, and wandering an old temple in full Thai dress gives you that period-photo look.
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Opening hours and entry fee
The temple is open for daytime visits every day, roughly 08:00–18:00. Entry is 10 THB for Thai nationals and 50 THB for foreign visitors, with free entry for children under 12. The night session is a special event held only during certain periods, so check before you go.
About the night session
The after-dark heritage event "A Night at Wat Chaiwatthanaram / Ayutthaya Sundown" usually runs only on Friday–Sunday, 18:00–22:00 (tickets sold until around 21:00), and during some periods visitors in Thai costume get in free. The dates and sessions change with the season, though, so check the Ayutthaya tourism page or TAT before every trip.
Best time to visit
If you want good light and less heat, come in the late afternoon into evening, around 16:00–18:00. The low sun turns the prangs golden, and you can stay on for the riverside sunset. If you time it for a night session, you catch the whole stretch from dusk straight through to when the lights come on — the best value in a single trip.
- Morning (08:00–10:00) — fewer people, not yet hot, good for clean, uncluttered photos.
- Evening (16:00–18:00) — golden light and sunset over the Chao Phraya, and the busiest window of the day.
- Night (special sessions) — floodlights and a Thai-costume crowd, but only on the days the event is actually open.
Thai costume photos
There are several Thai costume rental shops around the temple where you can sort out the outfit, makeup, and hair all in one place. Costumes start at roughly 300 THB and up, with a parasol around 50 THB more. You can keep it for the whole day until the shop closes, and some shops offer makeup and a photo session as a package. Ask at a few shops and compare prices before you decide.
Thai costume tip
If you are set on shooting the night session, get your costume and makeup done before the sky goes dark — once the lights are on the crowds build and it gets harder to book a makeup slot. And don't forget shoes you can comfortably walk across rough brick in.
Getting there
The temple is on the west side, just outside the main island, a few kilometres from central Ayutthaya. The easiest option is a tuk-tuk or a motorcycle taxi. If you are driving yourself there is a parking area out front, or you can rent a bicycle or motorbike to tour the central island and cross over.
Chartered tuk-tuk
Easiest if you are in a group — hire one to run between several temples in a single loop. Agree on the price before you get in, every time.
Rent a bicycle or motorbike
Freedom to stop at other temples on the central island along the way. Good for travellers who like to do it themselves.
Drive or taxi from Bangkok
About 1.5 hours from Bangkok, with parking out front. Good for a day trip.
What to pair it with nearby
Since the temple sits outside the central island, most people pair it with temples on the island in the same trip. If you have time in the evening before the lights come on at Wat Chai, try planning a stop at these spots.
- Wat Mahathat — the Buddha head wrapped in tree roots, Ayutthaya's most iconic photo spot, on the central island.
- Wat Phra Si Sanphet — three Sri Lankan-style chedis lined up in a row, at the centre of the old royal palace grounds.
- Riverside markets and eateries — grab boat noodles or grilled river prawns before the evening visit.
Plan a full day in Ayutthaya and see more places to stay and eat
See the Ayutthaya travel guide →