Wat Chankham is an important temple in the Wiang Kum Kam ancient city. It is believed that it is Wat Kanthom, named ‘Kanthom’ after the builder who built the temple whose name appears in several legends and chronicles. According to the Yon chronicles, Phya Mangrai had this temple built in 1290. The chedi was 18 metres by 12 metres at the base. It was built on two tiers with niches. The lower tier had seated Buddha images, the upper one had various standing images. The chronicles mentioned a sacred Bhodi tree.
The Fine Arts Department excavated and restored the temple between 1984 and 1985 revealing a large viharn and chedi. Terracotta Buddha images were found in the base of the viharn in the Hariphunchai style. The structures date from the 15th/16th Century. Another chedi was added by a Burmese benefactor featuring crouching elephants which gave the temple is present name. Red sandstone tablets were found at the site with three types of alphabet.
1) Mon, 1207-1307
2) Mon/Thai, 1277-1317
3) Sukhothai, until 1397

Source: Onsite information