Wat Phutthaisawan, Buddhist temple in Samphao Lom, Thailand.
Wat Phutthaisawan is a Buddhist temple in the Samphao Lom district of Thailand, centered around a white prang built in Khmer architectural style. A square cloister runs around the central tower and shelters 105 seated Buddha statues under ceramic tile roofs, while modern worship halls and monks' quarters occupy the edges of the grounds.
King Uthong founded the temple in 1353 and used it as a royal residence before moving his capital. Shortly afterward, he established Ayutthaya as the center of his expanding kingdom.
The name refers to the historical Buddha and connects the temple to its royal foundation. Today the site houses a school where students practice krabi-krabong, a traditional form of weapon-based martial arts that uses wooden swords and staffs.
The temple opens daily from 8 in the morning until 5 in the afternoon and does not charge an entry fee. Visitors can walk through both the old structures and the modern areas, and should wear clothing that covers shoulders and knees.
A crypt beneath the main tower holds ancient Buddha footprints and a reclining Buddha figure. The walls carry historical murals that remained hidden under the white stucco surface for centuries.
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