Wat Pradu Songtham

Wat Pradu Songtham (วัดประดู่ทรงธรรม), also known as Wat Pradu Rongtham, is a Buddhist temple built during the Ayutthaya Kingdom period. It is located in the Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya District of Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province, to the northeast of the city island, within the group of temples in the Ayothaya area. The temple can be reached by road from the Chedi Wat Sam Pluem roundabout heading northward.

Wat Pradu Songtham today was formed from the merging of two ancient temples: Wat Pradu and Wat Rongthan (also known as Wat Rongtham).

Wat Pradu was mentioned in the Royal Chronicles of Ayutthaya during the time when eight monks from the temple helped King Songtham escape from a rebellion by Japanese soldiers who plotted to assassinate him in 1610 CE (B.E. 2153).

The Japanese, angered that the ministers were unjust, conspired with Phra Phimon to kill the king. About 500 Japanese advanced into the royal courtyard to seize His Majesty, who had come out to hear the monks recite scriptures at the Chom Thong Throne Hall. At that time, eight monks from Wat Pradu Rongtham escorted the king to safety before the Japanese could capture him. The Japanese shouted in confusion, but the royal guards fought back, killing many. The Japanese fled the palace and escaped by ship, never returning to trade with Ayutthaya again. The king later rewarded the officials who defended him and decreed that offerings be made regularly to the monks of Wat Pradu Rongtham.

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According to the writings of Engelbert Kaempfer, Chaophraya Kosathibodi (Lek), known as the Lord of the Treasury, renovated a temple that Kaempfer referred to as Wat Phra Ya Phra Khlang. While this name is often associated with Wat Samana Kottharam or Wat Kudidao, researcher Achirawit Anthaphan compared Kaempfer’s maps and identified the site as corresponding with Wat Pradu and Wat Rongthan. Thus, it is speculated that Wat Pradu may have been the same as Wat Phra Ya Phra Khlang.^[2][3]

In 1758 CE (B.E. 2301), King Uthumphon abdicated the throne to King Suriyamarin, ordained as a monk, and resided at Wat Pradu.

In the seventh lunar month, after handing the royal throne to his brother, the king boarded his royal barge and proceeded to ordain at his former temple, then took residence at Wat Pradu.

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In 1759 CE (B.E. 2302), when Alaungpaya of Burma invaded Ayutthaya, King Uthumphon temporarily left the monkhood to lead the defense. After the Burmese retreated, he was re-ordained at Wat Pho Thong Kham Yat and later returned to Wat Pradu. During the second Burmese invasion, he relocated from Wat Pradu to Wat Ratchapraditsathan in the capital.

When the two temples were merged during the reign of Rama IV, the name Wat Pradu Rongtham was first used before being changed to Wat Pradu Songtham as it is known today. The current temple grounds belong to the former Wat Rongthan, while the original Wat Pradu — where King Uthumphon was ordained — lies to the north, separated by the Pradu Canal. Today, Wat Pradu’s ruins still remain, though parts of the canal have been filled.

• Ordination Hall
• Chedi enshrining the relics of King Songtham
• Mural paintings inside the viharn

The temple’s main ordination hall dates back to the Ayutthaya period and was restored around the reign of Rama IV. Its murals depict scenes from the Ten Jātaka Tales, the Buddha’s life, royal processions, and traditional Thai customs and festivities.

Wat Pradu Songtham is also a center for Buddhist arts and learning, particularly known for sacred incantations and traditional blacksmithing techniques associated with Luang Pho Luang and Luang Pho Rot Suea, the temple’s past abbots. The temple grounds are shaded by large, ancient trees that create a serene atmosphere for visitors.

14°21′49.7″N 100°35′11.1″E / 14.363806°N 100.586417°E / 14.363806; 100.586417