Wat Ang Sila
Wat Ang Sila (Ang Sila temple) is located at a small fishing village in Ang Sila sub-district, Mueang Chonburi District, Chonburi province. The temple was built in the late Ayutthaya period. Originally, they were two temples named Wat Ang Sila Nok (outer temple) and Wat Ang Sila Nai (inner temple). This Vihara used to be as the Bot (Uposatha) of Wat Ang Sila Nai. Both temples were combined in 1916. After a combination, it has changed to the Vihara of Wat Ang Sila.
Plan of Wat Ang Sila, shows the area of the Vihara.
Top view of Wat Ang Sila.
The Fine Arts Department by the 5th Regional Office of Fine Arts, Prachinburi reconstructed the Vihara in 2018 – 2019. Before a reconstruction, the monument consisted of a Vihara and three Chedis (Stupa) in front of it. An archaeological excavation shows the development of the temple.
The Vihara before a reconstruction.
The Chedis before a reconstruction.
Phase I, In the Ayutthaya period. Wat Ang Sila Nai consisted of a Bot and a Chedi, which decorated with the monkeys, the yakshas and the krut yuk nagas (garuda catching snake). The Chedi was surrounded by the wall. There were niches for lamps made from Chinese ceramics at the wall.
The Chedi during an excavation.
Phase II, In Rattanakosin period. The village around the temples was bigger. Many buildings were built. The new Bot was built on the foundation of the former Bot. The mural paintings of this Bot are image of the former Buddhas, the angels, the monkeys and the yakshas. Three Chedis were built on both sides of the center Chedi and behind of the Bot. The wall was built surrounding the buildings, on top of the wall decorated with the small Chedis. The floor inside the wall was lifted up. It made the monkeys, the yakshas and the wall of the center Chedi were covered by soil. After the Bot become the Vihara, the chedi behind the Vihara, the wall and the boundary stone shrines might have collapsed at this period.
Picture of the Vihara and the Chedis in 1892.
Source: National Archives of Thailand. The Fine Arts Department.
Picture of the Vihara after the wall has collapsed
Source: Wat Ang Sila
Plan of the Vihara after a reconstruction.
According to the Royal Gazette no 116, chapter 17 D, dated March 17th, 1999, The Fine Arts Department announced that this monument has been listed as the nation’s historic site.
