Wat Borom Phuttharam

Wat Borom Phuttharam is a late-Ayutthaya-period royal temple on the grounds of Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Rajabhat University, outside the ticketed Ayutthaya Historical Park zone. Entry is free, and the ruins are open daily 08:30-16:00.

Experience

King Phetracha commissioned the temple, and construction finished around 1703. Its distinguishing feature was its roof: yellowish-green glazed tiles instead of the plain fired-clay tiles used elsewhere, a choice unusual enough that locals still call it Wat Krabeuang Khlueap — the “glazed tile temple.” What remains today is a central prang flanked by smaller chedis, including an octagonal stupa and a twelve-sided stupa, their reddish-brown brick exposed where the stucco has worn away. Fragments of floral and Buddhist-symbol stucco work still cling to a few wall sections, along with traces of the original glazed roofing.

Atmosphere & Timing

Because it sits outside the main historical park circuit, on university grounds rather than a manicured heritage site, Wat Borom Phuttharam draws far fewer visitors than Wat Phra Si Sanphet or the other royal-palace-zone temples. Early morning keeps the light soft for photos and the heat down for walking between the ruins.

Insider Tip: Come here after the main historical park temples, not instead of them — it rewards visitors who already know Ayutthaya’s ticketed sites and want a quieter, free counterpoint.

Watch out: Ayutthaya’s other temple fees vary a lot between sites — some charge 50 THB, some 80 THB, and combined tickets exist for the main historical park cluster. Wat Borom Phuttharam itself is free, but don’t assume the same applies elsewhere in the city.

Practical

Bicycle or tuk-tuk from Ayutthaya town centre is the easiest way to reach the grounds. Bring water and comfortable shoes, and dress modestly — covered shoulders and knees — even though this is a ruin rather than an active worship site.