WAT PHUKHAO THONG Wat Phukhao Thong or the ââ¬ÅMonastery of the Golden Mountââ¬Â is located off the city island in the plains 2 Km northwest of Ayutthaya in Phukhao Thong sub-district. The monastery was built by King Ramesuan (r. 1369-1370 / 1388-1395) in 1395. (1) The actual templeââ¬â¢s name refers to the high chedi on its north east side. At the time of construction of the monastery, this chedi was inexistent; hence the temple probably had another name. In December 1568 (Reign of King Mahin / r. 1568 - 1569) a large Burmese army invaded Siam and positioned itself around Ayutthaya. The siege lagged on until 30 August 1569 and in the end the city fell through the treachery of Phya Chakri, a Siamese. The invading Burmese forces ransacked and plundered the city, dismantled the defenses and forcibly transported most of Ayutthayaââ¬â¢s population to Burma. King Bhureng Noung (brother in law of Tabengshwethi) remained at Ayutthaya to witness the coronation of his vassal, Maha Thammaracha (r. 1569-1590) and started the building of a Mon-Burmese styled chedi to commemorate his victory over Ayutthaya. Bhureng Noung returned to Hongsawadi around the period that the chediââ¬â¢s base was constructed. King Maha Thammaracha likely felt not too much excitement in continuing the construction of his neighborsââ¬â¢ victory monument and the chedi was never finalized.
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