Wat Lokaya Sutha

Wat Lokaya Sutha in Ayutthaya is known for one of Thailand's largest reclining Buddha statues, about 42 metres long, lying in the open among old brick ruins. The statue was repainted recently, and the fresh look divides opinion. Entry is free, and the site sits close to other temples, so many people see it on a tuk tuk route through the historic park. Allow a few minutes for photos, or an hour or more to walk the ruins and find the Gate of Time, a ruined arch set among tree roots.

A reclining Buddha among the ruins

The reclining Buddha is the reason most people come. The statue is about 42 metres long and 8 metres high, and it rests on a lotus base with its head raised. It is built of brick covered in plaster. It is usually wrapped in bright orange cloth, and local worshippers apply small sheets of gold leaf to it, a custom linked to blessings, protection and good fortune.

The statue lies in the open air, with old temple walls, floors and pillars around it. Fragments of other Buddha images are scattered across the site. The combination of a large figure and weathered remains is the feature that stands out most.

The temple and its history

The origins of the temple are uncertain. Some historians place it in the early Ayutthaya period, in the late 14th century, while others date it to the 17th or 18th century. The statue is associated with the Ayutthaya period and is believed to show the Buddha entering parinirvana, the final passing away. Its formal name is Phra Buddha Sai Yat.

The complex was largely destroyed in the Burmese attack on the city. The statue survived while most of the surrounding buildings were reduced to their foundations. The figure was restored in the 1950s. The temple shows the Ayutthaya style, with octagonal pillars and layered roofs, but much of that architecture is now gone.