Important Sites Within the Temple
Ordination Hall (Ubosot)
The ordination hall (ubosot) is surrounded by a cloister-style gallery (Phra Rabieng Kot), reflecting traditional Ayutthaya-style Thai architecture. Built with brick and stucco, it features exquisitely crafted gable ends inlaid with colored glass, adorned with intricate stucco patterns. Inside, the walls are covered with mural paintings of a five-tiered celestial assembly, showcasing distinctive and highly artistic depictions of Brahma, giants (yaksha), Garuda, hermits (ruesi), and various deities, each with a unique design. These divine figures are separated by floral motifs, highlighting their individuality and artistic value. At the front and rear of the drum-enclosed walls, the ubosot has two doorways on each side. A single window—larger than the doors—sits between the two front doors, making this ubosot unique for having only one window. On the back of both the doors and the window are beautifully painted guardian figures (Thawarabals) in elegant form. Buddha Images Inside: •The principal Buddha image is a stucco sculpture in the Māravijaya posture (Victory over Mara), covered in gold leaf. •To the left stands a statue of Somdet Phra Sangharaja (Tangmo). •To the right is a statue of Phra Khru Mahawiharnaphirak (Phuk), a former abbot of Wat Yai Suwannaram. •Behind the main Buddha image is a metal Māravijaya Buddha with a remarkable feature: six toes on the right foot. Cloister Details: The cloister (Phra Rabieng Kot) encircling the ubosot features gable ends decorated with the Thai numeral ๕ (five), symbolizing King Rama V, who oversaw the major restoration of the temple. Interestingly, if you walk around the gallery, you’ll find one gable with the number five flipped in reverse, adding a mysterious and unusual charm.
Ho Trai (Scripture Hall) in the Middle of the Pond
It is an old scripture hall (Ho Trai) situated in the middle of a pond, built in the form of a traditional Thai-style single-story house with two rooms but supported by three pillars. A bridge extends from the pond’s edge to the hall. Originally, the pillars were made of wood, but due to decay, they have been replaced with concrete. The three pillars symbolize the Tipitaka, or the Three Baskets of Buddhist teachings: •Abhidhamma (higher teachings), •Vinaya (disciplinary rules), •and Sutta (discourses).
Sala Kan Parian (Preaching Hall)
According to traditional accounts, King Phra Chao Suea once donated a royal audience hall to support his revered teacher, Somdet Phra Sangharaja (Tangmo), in the restoration of Wat Yai Suwannaram. That hall was repurposed into the current Sala Kan Parian (preaching hall). This preaching hall is a large Thai-style pavilion made entirely of teak wood. On the western side, it features a projecting porch (muk prachert). The roof is covered with kaboo tiles (shaped like banana sheath), decorated with chofah and bai raka (ornamental finials), and inlaid with colored glass. Inside are octagonal columns, each painted with unique gold-leaf motifs (lai rod nam)—no two pairs have the same pattern. Originally, the outer walls were decorated with gold designs, but due to a restoration error, they now appear red. The brackets (kanthui) are beautifully crafted, and the building features what is believed to be the largest ceremonial fretwork (krajang prueng) in the country. Historic Doors: The main eastern door of the sala is especially famous. It is made of teak wood, featuring finely carved double-layered flame motifs (kanok kan khot), gilded and adorned with glass. The frame is beautifully detailed. A crack at the top of the door is said by legend to have been caused by a Burmese sword strike, although scholars believe it may have occurred when the original hall was dismantled for donation to Somdet Phra Sangharaja (Tangmo). Interior: Inside the hall: •The octagonal columns continue the gold-lacquer motif. •The walls and window shutters also preserve traces of water-based glue paintings (lai nam kao). •There are two exquisitely crafted pulpits (thammasat): •One original, in the busabok style, intricately carved from wood. •Another, restored with gilded lacquer, was later used in the royal cremation ceremony of King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great. This sala is not only an architectural and artistic treasure but also a living witness to Thailand’s monastic, artistic, and royal history.
"Thān” or “Vejjakutī"
It is a traditional toilet structure (Thān) used by monks in the past. Wat Yai Suwannaram has preserved two of these original buildings. In ancient times, the Thān was a separate building, typically located at the rear of the temple grounds to prevent unpleasant odors from disturbing the main area. The structure is a raised wooden building with a fully enclosed upper section. It features ventilation slits, light openings, and a door with a closing mechanism, all designed for practicality, hygiene, and privacy.