Wat Chantaram dates back to Thailand’s Ayutthaya period (1351 to 1767), nicknamed the ‘Diamond Temple’. Once a busy place of worship, the temple was abandoned following the fall of the Ayutthaya Kingdom. However, in 1789 a monk called Luang Pho Yai took care of the temple and oversaw renovations and expansions. Subsequent years saw further improvements helping to create a dazzling sight in rural Thailand. According to ancient Thai beliefs, glass and other reflective surfaces help to repel evil spirits, and this is likely the reason for the heavy use of glass and mirrors at Wat Chantaram. Despite the origins of this temple most of the buildings are of more recent construction with only the ubosot close to the river suggesting its age. To help with the identification of the contemporary sites the following list may help.
1) Maha Viharn Kaew or Gow (the Glass Temple 1996-98)
2) The Golden Convocation Hall (Prasat Thong Kam -1996)
3) Mondrop of Phra Sri Araya Maetrai
4) Mondrop Somdej Aong Pa Thom
5) Luang Pho Ngeun Lai Ma Buddha Image (The Wealthy Buddha)
6) Phra Chulamanee