Wat Phra Si Sanphet was once the crown jewel of Ayutthaya, Thailand's ancient capital. This royal temple was so special, it didn't even house monks - they were just invited for ceremonies. Established in 1350 by King Ramathibodi I, it originally functioned as a royal cremation site before transforming into a grand temple complex.

But in 1767, calamity struck: the Burmese invasion laid waste to the temple, including its centrepiece—a magnificent 16-metre gold Buddha, tragically melted down for its gold. After prospering for 416 years, the Ayutthaya Kingdom fell, and only the eastern stupa of the temple was left standing.

But the story doesn’t end there: in 1956, restoration efforts began to breathe new life into the site. Today, visitors can explore the restored chedis and a replica of the gold Buddha.