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The Phu Khao Thong chedi is situated about two
kilometres northwest of the city island. It was built by King Ramesuan
in 1387. Burengnong, the Burmese king, built three layers of the large
superimposed base in the Burmese style after he seized Ayutthaya in
1569 and named it Phu Khao Thong. The main body of the Thai-style chedi
was built later.
King Borom Kot carried out renovations during his reign in 1744 and
changed its appearance into a 12- cornered chedi. Only the lowest part
retains its original Mon style. According to the records, a canal was
dug from Wat Phu Khao Thong by a former monk of the temple to keep the
Burmese army out when Ayutthaya was under Burmese attack in 1548. The
moat which connects a canal with the main river is still in evidence
and is called Mahanak canal in honor of the former monk.
However, after Ayutthaya fell to the Burmese in 1767 the whole place
was burned down. The Thai Government, under Premier Pibulsongkram,
renovated the shrine again approximately 40 years ago.
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