Wat Pathumwanaram
Rajaworavihara ( Wat Srapathum )
is located on Rama I Road, between the World Trade Center and Siam
Square. The temple was constructed at the same time as Srapathum
Palace, which was built as a country residence . King Rama IV ordered
the construction of the temple as a gift for Queen Thepsirin. Monks
of the Dhammayutika sect from Wat Bowornniwet Vihara were invited
to reside at the temple and the would sometimes board boats in the
temple pond to receive alms from the King and his wives.
The door and windows shutters of the
phra ubosot are decorated with plaster figures depicting farmers
plowing their fields or fishing in the lotus ponds , which were
common feature of life at that time.
The phra vihara of Wat Pathumwanaram
houses important images that were brought from Vientiane, namely
, the Phra Serm and Phra Saen. This harmonizes with the murals depicting
scenes from the humorous and witty stories of Sri Thanonchai, or
Chiang Mieng, which were popular among the Thais and Laos. The murals
in the phra vihara were the work of artists of the Fourth Reign
and shoe clear Wstern influence. One scene of interest shows a metal
bridge on wheels that can be pulled aside to allow boats to pass.
Such bridges are no longer in existence.
In 1926 Phra Srisawarinthra Borom
Rajathevee the Royal Grandmother, built the Pali Studies School,
which later became the repository of the remains of Somdej Phra
Mahitalathibet Adulyadejvikrom. The father of King Rama IX.
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