As if blessed with supernatural insight, King Ramaof the Ratanakosin Dynasty, seems to haveenvisioned a future where, what was once preva-lent, like Chinese junks. would become rare objects after his time.Therefore, upon a visit to inspect the ubosot of Wat Yannawa, at the time undergoing restoration, he issued a royal decree for pagodas to be built on a life-size junk to allow future generations the opportunity to see what junks looked like, when they are no longer anywhere to be seen. This intent was reflected in his statement: "Future generahons wanting to know what junks looked like, canCOMe here.Wit nawa, an old temple, dates back to the Ayutthaya Period (1350-1767 AD), although no evidence is on hand to verify its date of construction. Previously known as Wat Khok Kwai, the temple's status was elevated to that of a royal temple and renamed with the more respectable title - Wat Khok Krabeu. It was renamed Wat Yannawa and re-elevated to the status of a royal temple of the third grade during the reign of King Rama Ill.Wat Yannawa is on a bank of the Chao Phraya River by New Road or Charoenkrung Road. Prior to the road's construction, the temple faced the river. Construction of the road that cuts through the temple compound, provided worshippers with a new access and, as a result, what was once the back of the temple became the front,On entering the temple compound from Charoenkrung Road, one is greeted by the sight of two pagodas atop a life-size junk base - the viharn. Known as Sam Pho Chedi, literally Junk Pagoda, it was built by King Rama Ill at a time when the temple was under restoration.By way of royal command, the construction of a pagoda of unconventional style, as a dedication to Lord Buddha, has a religious implication relating to the Buddhist tenets based on Chapter Kumara of the sacred Jataka tales of Vessantara.According to the story, Phra Vessantara sent for his two royal children who had escaped from the custody of Chuchok, a vagabond, who had asked for the two children to wait on his wife. Amittada. Phra Vessantara likens the incident to a junk on the sea, taking the merchant and his cargo on a journey to a commercial destination. The doomed vessel was struck down in the middle of a storm and sank. Phra Vessantara persuaded the young prince and princess to join him in dedicating themselves to a greater cause, which, like the junk, takes humankind to nirvana.In addition to building the pagoda, following Buddhist tenets, King Rama III opined that Chinese junks heading for Siam on trading missions were in decline, and would soon be replaced by western-style sailing ships. Future generations would naturally hear of the "Chinese junk", but would have no clue how one looked. Therefore, he commanded the construction of the pagoda base (viharn) in the shape of a life-size junk.The Junk Pagoda is 43 meters from end to end and 5 meters top to bottom, measured from the center. Two pagodas - one big, one small - are built "on board" the junk. The former, which stands right at the center of the "ship", resembles the mast of a boat. The latter, mean¬while, is in the form of a Chinese pavilion where the Buddha's footprint and the statues of Phra Vessantara. Phra Chalee and Phra Kanha are housed for Buddhist followers to worship. A tripitaka, made of marble, is also featured there for people to pray and make wishes. It isbelieved that whoever has his or her wish granted will be able to lift the marble book of teachings.As western-style sailing vessels replaced Chinese junks for all time, the only place in Bangkok to see a Chinese junk today is Wat Yannawa, thanks to the foresight of King Rama III.Behind the Junk Temple, one can see an Ubosot that can be traced back to the reign of King Rama I. When it was first built, the ubosot also faced the river, standing in front of the Junk Temple, which was a later addition. But with the construction of Charoenkrung Road, the landscape changed, switching the spots of these two places of worship based on public access from Charoen¬krung Road. Hence, the ubosot is now regarded as being behind the Junk Temple.The ubosot boasts an ornately decorated gable with fauna designs; on the back of the doors are paintings of great importance because King Rama III initiated them. The paintings depict a large krathong, typical of those floated at Loy Krathong Festivals, and a Tho Yakoo - pud¬ding pot - a catering utensil containing food for monks in royal ceremonies in the reign of King Rama III.To the right of the Ubosot stands the Tripitaka Pavil¬ion where Buddhist scripture are housed. This beautiful building characterizes early Ratanakosin 'architecture. The Mahajetsada-bordindr building opposite is equally ornate.The Junk Temple, representative of Bangkok's first and only Chinese junk,
