Chaliang Wat Si Mahathat

Wat Phra Si Mahathat Chaliang

Wat Phra Si Mahathat Chaliang (1237) (pictured above) is large and impressive, of Khmer style with early Sukhothai style artistic additions. It is surrounded by a tall thick wall made of laterite blocks. These slabs stand vertically and are close together. They are topped by large horizontal laterite slabs.
The outer area of this settlement was also surrounded by fortification walls made of laterite. These walls run along the peak of the Yom River banks.
King Jayavarman V11 of the Khmer Empire was a Mahayana Buddhist and the temple was constructed during his time. Khmer features include Bayon styled roof tyles and laterite foundations. The temple is approached from the east gate entrance. Here today are two images of each of Phra Ruang and Phra Lue the Tai leaders who joined forces to expell the Khmers from the region and establish the cities of Sulhothai and Si Satchanalai. At the entrance to the small entrance is a statue of the four headed Brahma. This is typical of the Bayon style from Angkor and is not found elsewhere in modern Thailand.

Wat Phra Si Mahathat Chaliang 1237

Wat Phra Si Mahathat Chaliang

The artistic works are of the Khmer Bayon style (late 12th C to early 13th C). These include the Brahma image, the celestial style females covered in stucco beneath each of the faces of Brahma, the stucco naga decorations on the laterite columns and the Buddha beneath Naga image in the small shrine to the immediate right side when you first enter the temple grounds.
Inside the temple grounds one should see each of the following art and architecture ruins. (1) The assembly Hall of Luang Pho To, (2) the walking Buddha Stature, (3) The main Prang as depicted in the pictures on this web page, (4) the seated Buddha Image also depicted here, (5) Phra That Mutao, the ruins of the Mon octagonal Stupa, (6) Mandapa of Phra Attharot which houses the Phr Attarot Buddha image depicted in the ima e below, and (7) the ruins of Assembly Hall Phra Song Nong.
The three Buddha images include the seated Buddha image shown here at the rear of the Assmebly Hall of Luang Pho To, the standing Buddha of Phras Attarot and the walking Buddha to the left side of the seated Buddha.

Other Historical Monuments At Chaliang ( Near Si Satchanalai )

Wat Chao Chan (6th -10th C) -Here the square prasat with 3 false doorways, a front door before a chamber containing a Buddha image with a terraced upper structure reflects Khmer influences.
Wat Chom Chuen (3rd - 4th C) - Again here is a Khmer styled Chedi and a large Temple with roofed mondrop, all high above the tree lined river banks cut deep into the thick alluvial soil plains.
Thuriang Kilns at Ban Ko Noi
Phra That Mutao