Wat Si Chum at the Sukhothai Historical Park

Estimated to have been constructed somewhere around the 13^th Century CE, Wat Si Chum is a Buddhist temple located in the northern zone of the Sukhothai Historical Park, outside the historic walled city of Sukhothai (the capital of the Sukhothai Kingdom of Thailand in the 13th and 14th Century CE). The temple is best known for its’ Mondop with the massive seated Buddha image which is partially visible from a distance.

Wat Si Chum from a distance with the partially visible massive seated Buddha image

The main structure comprises of a Mondop and a Viharn (assembly hall). The Viharn which is located in front of the Mondop currently lies in ruins with only its’ base and the pillars visible. 

Only the base and the pillars of the Viharn is visible today

The Mondop which doesn’t have a roof, enshrines a massive seated Buddha image constructed in Sukhothai style, demonstrating the “Bhumisparsha Mudra”. Estimated to be 15 meters in height and 11 meters in width, the image is believed to be the “Phra Achana” Buddha image mentioned in the “Ram Khamhaeng Inscription” (a stone Stele bearing inscriptions which have traditionally been considered as the earliest example of Thai script).

The massive seated Buddha image at Wat Si Chum

Constructed in Sukhothai Style, the Buddha image demonstrates the Bhumisparsha Mudra

The other ruins of Wat Si Chum include a smaller roofless Mondop with a smaller seated Buddha image, another Viharn complex and several chedis. The entire temple complex is surrounded by a moat.

The other Viharn complex ruins at Wat Si Chum

The smaller roofless Mondop at Wat Si Chum

The smaller seated Buddha image at Wat Si Chum

The ruined chedis at Wat Si Chum

Wat Si Chum is part of the “Historic Town of Sukhothai and Associated Historic Towns” which was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991.