The vihara and the image were badly destroyed by fire during the fall of Ayutthaya in
April 1767. The roof of the vihara was damaged and the head and the right arm of the
image were broken.
"…Now they lit fires in every vicinity and burned down buildings, houses, hermitages and the
Holy Royal Palace Enclosure, including the palaces and royal domicile. The light of the
conflagration was as bright as the middle of the day…"
Restoration of the Buddha image - in which the broken head and right arm were
repaired by Phraya Boran Rachathanin - took place in 1920 (reign of King Rama VI).
In 1931 another restoration took place with the financial support of Khunying Amares
Sombat. [6]
During restoration works on the statue in 1955, a quantity of Buddha images were found
on the left shoulder of Phra Mongkhon Bophit. These images can now be seen at the
Chao Sam Phraya National museum.
The Prime Minister of Burma on official visit in Ayutthaya in 1956 gave a donation for
the restoration of the vihara. The vihara was finalised in 1957, but not with the same
beautiful craftsmanship of the former one.
The statue of Phra Mongkhon Bophit was covered with gold leaf in 1992 by the
“Mongkhon Bophit Foundation” in celebration of the 60th birthday of H.M. Queen
Sirikit.
Phra Mongkhon Bophit is one of the largest bronze Buddha images in Thailand with its
measures of (approx) 9.5 meters across the lap and a height of 12.5 meters (without the
pedestal). The Buddha image is seated in the position of Subduing Mara.
Vihan Mongkhon Bophit is located on the City Island within Ayutthaya Historical Park
and situated south of Wat Sri Sanphet and the Grand Palace.