Wat Chom Chuen is an abandoned historical site located along the Yom River, just outside the ancient city of Si Satchanalai, within the Si Satchanalai Historical Park in Si Satchanalai District, Sukhothai Province. The site has been officially designated as a national historical monument by the Fine Arts Department and was published in the Royal Gazette, Volume 52, on March 8, 1935, page 3701, highlighting its cultural and historical significance.

 

Archaeological excavations have revealed that the area around Wat Chom Chuen was inhabited as early as the late prehistoric period, around the 9th Buddhist century. Important findings from this period include fragments of coarse handmade earthenware, indicating the presence of early human settlements. Evidence becomes more abundant from the semi-prehistoric period through the Dvaravati period, approximately the 10th to 16th Buddhist centuries, when archaeologists uncovered 15 human skeletons, reflecting the settlement and cultural practices of communities at that time.

 

During the Khmer-influenced cultural period to the early Sukhothai era, dating to the 17th–18th Buddhist centuries, excavations revealed three brick structures, fragments of terracotta pipes, unglazed and green-glazed stoneware, and animal bones. These findings illustrate the architectural and societal developments of pre-Sukhothai communities, including their construction techniques and use of ceramic materials for religious and daily structures.

 

From the Sukhothai period to the Ayutthaya period, roughly the 19th–21st Buddhist centuries, Wat Chom Chuen consisted of a round chedi and a vihara built of laterite. The vihara, positioned in front of the principal chedi, consisted of six rooms with a front projecting porch, while the rear connected to a mandapa that functioned as an enclosed chamber. The roof was constructed of overlapping laterite blocks in a pointed gable shape. Restoration work in the 21st Buddhist century preserved the original architectural style, showcasing the elegance and simplicity of Sukhothai architecture.

 

During the Ayutthaya to Rattanakosin periods, most of the artifacts discovered were fragments of earthenware tiles and porcelain pieces, including Chinese ceramics from the Ming and Qing dynasties. Coins such as satang and baht were also found mixed within the soil layers, reflecting historical trade connections, daily life, and cultural exchanges of the local population.

 

Wat Chom Chuen serves as a vital archaeological site that illustrates the long history of human settlement and cultural evolution in Si Satchanalai, from the prehistoric period through the Rattanakosin era. Studying these artifacts and structures provides valuable insights into the lifestyles, beliefs, and architectural achievements of past communities while preserving the nation's cultural heritage for future generations.

 

The site holds significant potential as an educational and tourist destination, linking historical narratives with ancient architectural forms. Proper conservation and management can enhance its value for both research and tourism, raising public awareness of the importance of preserving cultural heritage.