A Buddhist temple had existed at the site of wat un since the time of the Ayutthaya Kingdom. It was then known as wat Makok, after the village of Bang Makok in which it was situated. (Makok is the Thai name for the Spondias pinnata plant) cording to the historian Prince Damrong Rajanubhab, the temple was shown in French maps, during the reign of King Narai (656 1688). The temple was renamed Watt Chaeng by King Taksin when he established his new capital of Thonburi near the temple, following the fall of Ayutthaya. It is believed that Taksin vowed to restore the temple after passing it at dawn. The temple enshrined the Emerald Buddha image before it was transferred to Wat Phra Kaew on the river's eastern bank 1785. The temple was in located in ground of the royal palace during Taksin's reign, before h successor, Rama I, moved the palace to the other side of the river. It was abandoned, for a long period of time, until Rama ll who restored the temple and extended the pagoda to 70m.