Rating: 4/5 (4 votes)

Open Days: Daily

Opening Hours: 08:00 – 18:00 (hours may change based on park announcements or special events; please check before you go)

 

Wat Phra Ram is one of those Ayutthaya ruins sitting in a “golden spot” on the island, so close to the main landmarks that many people walk past and assume it’s just part of the public park rather than a major temple site. With the large pond in front — now known as Bueng Phra Ram Public Park — the atmosphere feels open, airy, and restful, very different from the busier hotspots nearby. If you want an Ayutthaya stop that gives you both a strong story and a living landscape, Wat Phra Ram delivers both without requiring a long detour.

 

The location is commonly described as just outside the former Royal Palace area to the east, facing the direction of Viharn Phra Mongkhon Bophit. That makes it easy to plan your day as one smooth loop around the island: start with the central temples, then drift toward Wat Phra Ram when you want a calmer rhythm, wide water views, and the reflected silhouette of ancient brickwork. It’s a very Ayutthaya kind of beauty — not only grandeur, but stillness and space that quietly pull you into the past.

 

Historically, Wat Phra Ram is often associated with King Ramesuan, who is said to have founded the temple on the site where the royal cremation of King Ramathibodi I (King U-Thong), his father, took place. The idea of transforming a royal ceremonial ground into a temple reflects an early Ayutthaya belief in preserving places of great meaning by letting them “continue to exist” as religious space. In other words, it was not simply built to add another temple; it was built because the location itself carried enough significance to become memory made permanent.

 

What sets Wat Phra Ram apart from many central-city ruins is the feeling of “pond in front, temple behind.” The large body of water in front of the site is tied to stories about Ayutthaya’s founding. It is often said that when the capital was established, soil was excavated from wetlands or pond areas to raise and level ground for important zones such as the palace and temples, and the resulting excavation gradually became a large pond. This pond is recorded in the Kot Monthian Ban (Palace Law) as “Bueng Chi Khan” before later being renamed “Bueng Phra Ram,” and eventually developed into a public park where people relax today. That layered history turns your visit into more than looking at old brick ruins — it becomes a walk through the relationship between city-building and Ayutthaya’s enduring water landscape.

 

If you want to enjoy Wat Phra Ram properly, a simple approach works best: stop first and take in the overall composition, then walk along the edge of the pond to capture the wide perspectives. The beauty here is how the chedi/prang and the water sit together, creating depth and a calm, old-city mood. In the morning or late afternoon, the light brings out texture in the brick and soft shadows from the trees with very little effort. That’s why many visitors use Wat Phra Ram as a gentle “pause” between more crowded stops in the same area.

 

Because Bueng Phra Ram Public Park sits right in front, this is also a comfortable place for families or anyone who wants a low-pressure visit. You can switch modes easily between “ruins-walking” and “pond-side strolling.” If you like watching everyday city life, it’s especially satisfying: locals come to exercise or rest in the park while the historical remains stand quietly behind them. It’s one of those overlapping scenes that makes Ayutthaya feel like a real living city, not just an open-air museum.

 

One practical note: certain parts of the ruins may be temporarily closed for safety or conservation work in some periods, especially areas involving taller or more fragile structures. So if you have a very specific angle in mind or want to enter a particular section, it’s worth keeping in mind that “some spots may not be accessible that day.” Even so, the overall area remains very suitable for a relaxed walk and for soaking up the pond-side atmosphere.

 

Getting There Wat Phra Ram is in the central zone of Ayutthaya Island, close to major sites such as Wat Phra Si Sanphet, Viharn Phra Mongkhon Bophit, and the Chao Sam Phraya National Museum. If you drive from Bangkok, you can use Highway 32 (Asia Road) into Ayutthaya, then rely on navigation for “Wat Phra Ram Ayutthaya” to avoid confusing intersections and occasional one-way streets on the island. If you travel by train, get off at Ayutthaya Station and take local transport into the main temple zone, then connect the nearby landmarks on foot as an easy loop.

 

If you want a smooth itinerary without backtracking, Wat Phra Ram works well in the middle or toward the end of the day. It’s an ideal place to rest your eyes and take wide photos after more energy-heavy walking, then continue to food spots or cafes around the island without needing to drive far.

 

 

A: Wat Phra Ram is on Ayutthaya Island, close to Wat Phra Si Sanphet and Viharn Phra Mongkhon Bophit, and right next to Bueng Phra Ram Public Park.

 

A: It is commonly described as founded by King Ramesuan on the site where the royal cremation of King Ramathibodi I (King U-Thong) took place, linking the monument to Ayutthaya’s early royal memory.

 

A: The pond in front is often explained as the result of soil excavation used to raise key areas during city construction, and it is recorded with the earlier name “Bueng Chi Khan” before later becoming “Bueng Phra Ram,” now a public park.

 

A: It is generally cited as open daily from 08:00 – 18:00, though hours may change based on official announcements or special events, so it’s best to check before you go.

 

A: For a relaxed overview and pond-side photos, 30–60 minutes is usually enough. If you want to walk the park loop and capture different light, plan for about 1–1.5 hours.

 

A: Morning and late afternoon tend to give softer light that adds depth to the ruins and reflections on the water, especially for wide-angle shots across the pond.

 

A: It’s easy to continue to Viharn Phra Mongkhon Bophit, Wat Phra Si Sanphet, and the Chao Sam Phraya National Museum, then head to Wat Mahathat and Wat Ratchaburana for a complete central-island route.