Wat Tum (วัดตูม) - Royal Temple in Ayutthaya

WAT TUM (วัดตูม)

Wat Tum is located off the city island in the northeastern area. The monastery is situated on the south bank of Khlong Wat Tum, a canal which had its mouth at the old Lopburi River. The temple is still in use by the Buddhist clergy and covers an area of approximately 15 rai.

Wat Tum lays south of Wat Chumphon, Wat Chang Yai and Wat Chang Noi, three
temples related to warfare, where in its vicinities war elephants were trained and troops were gathered prior battle. Some sources state that King Naresuan held the
ceremony of "Drinking of the Water of Allegiance" at this temple, a very important
ancient rite.

The ceremony of "Drinking of the Water of Allegiance" was one of the most important
Ayutthayan state ceremonies. It was a ceremony derived from the Khmers which performed this ritual in the 10th and 11th centuries.

The monastery must have been badly damaged during the fall of Ayutthaya in 1767. The site was not looked after until in the Early Ratanakosin period during the reign of King
Rama I, when Siam recovered slowly from its war with the Burmese, the temple was restored and occupied by monks. During the reign of King Mongkut, the monastery received royal patronage and since that time the Royal standard is flown.

In situ are multiple monastic structures. The old ordination hall or ubosot has been built in Early Ayutthaya style and has been redone in recent times. The ubosot houses a special Buddha image called "Luang Pho Thong Suk" of unknown origin. It is a bronze crowned and bejewelled image of a seated Buddha in the gesture of subduing Mara. The cranial part of the head can be lifted. The head is hollow and contains water, formed in a natural way in the
image's head. Thai people come from far away to take a sip from the holy water, believed to have healing capacities.

The temple has a lot of meaning to the Thais and is part of their history. It’worth a visit if you are in the area.

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