Wat Chaiwatthanaram, one of the most imposing ancient Buddhist
monasteries, was established by the command of King Prasatthong
in 1630 A.D. It is believed that the wat is located on the site of
his former home. The reason for building this monastery was to
make merit for his mother. Prince Damrong Rachanuphap noted
that its architecture was similar to that of Angkor Wat and inferred
that the wat might have been built to commemorate the king's
victory over Cambodia.