If you have the opportunity to pass by Wat Ratchaburana, you may notice two small octagonal pagodas standing in the middle of the road. This place is "Chedi Chao Ai Chao Yi," an ancient site of great importance in the early Ayutthaya period. However, it is a spot that many tourists pass by without knowing the story of Ayutthaya in an era full of intense power struggles among siblings.
The history of this pagoda dates back to the reign of King Nakhon Intharathirat (Chao Nakorn In). When he passed away, his eldest son, "Chao Ai Phraya," and his second son, "Chao Yi Phraya," both raised armies to compete for the throne. The two sides met at the foot of the Pa Than Bridge and engaged in elephant combat until they both died on the elephants' necks. When the youngest brother, "Chao Sam Phraya," ascended the throne, he ordered the construction of two pagodas at the spot where the two brothers fought in elephant combat as a memorial to the loss.
If you want to experience Ayutthaya in an in-depth and interesting way, checking in at Chedi Chao Ai Chao Yi will help you gain both happiness and a deeper understanding of the roots of this World Heritage city.
