Ayutthaya’s Temple Treasure Goes Tidal
On the morning of October 6, the ancient city of Ayutthaya – a UNESCO‑protected maze of temples, ruins, and monuments – turned into a dramatic underwater maze. Heavy monsoon showers had swollen rivers and streams, leaving more than forty temples that once proudly stood on dry earth now dripping in water.
Temple‑Sitting in a Swamp
- Wat Satue – Monks, arms wide, paddled boats through waist‑deep water that lifted halfway up their knees.
- Other temples such as Wat Phra Si Sanphet, Wat Phra Ram, and Wat Ratchaburana were also spirited, floating or braced for the rain.
- Ghostly reflections of toppled columns and broken pillars now dance on the water’s surface.
Abbot Phra Kru Pariyat Yathikhun confided to Reuters over the phone that this was “the worst flood in 10 years.” The watery choir wasn’t just limited to one temple: neighboring villages were also dealing with fluid, day‑to‑day life.
Where the Rain Isles
Thailand’s rain‑storm bomb marks its 32nd hit in 76 provinces, striking 16 still deeply flooded as of Wednesday, according to the authorities. The concerning forecast of a new tropical storm landing in the northeast next week keeps the flag of caution high.
Historical Flashbacks
Remember 2011 – the year Thailand braced for catastrophic floods that swamped 65 provinces and claimed hundreds of lives? That past tragedy looms in the background, reminding everyone how quickly this ancient city can turn into a watery thing.
What People Are Doing
- Monks keep libraries afloat – literally, teaching spiritual lessons beside the riverlevel oxygen supply.
- Shopkeepers find themselves mid‑water sales; waist‑high mustations? No, it’s all a stakes-filled negotiation over fresh fish and flowers.
- Local residents recount the fun of a tiny boat ride while chanting prayers against the flood’s fury.
At its heart, this rainy day is a mix of wonder and wrath – historic stones submerged in a pool of chaos, yet people keep moving, arguing, and praying with a touch of humor flung into the froth.
