Phraya Phraek Temple is one of the significant historical sites within the ancient city group of Mueang Phraek Si Racha (present-day Sankhaburi District, Chainat Province), which once served as an important frontier city during the early Ayutthaya period. Although only ruins remain today, the surviving architectural traces vividly reflect the city’s former prosperity. Most notably, the octagonal principal chedi standing prominently behind the base of the ordination hall represents a rare architectural form and demonstrates the influence of early Ayutthaya art blended harmoniously with distinctive local characteristics.

Historical evidence and local accounts suggest that Phraya Phraek Temple was associated with the city’s ruling elite in ancient times. The name “Phraya Phraek” itself may indicate the temple’s status as a principal religious site of the city. Within the temple grounds, visitors can still observe the remains of a large ordination hall base and several subsidiary chedis constructed of laterite and brick. The bricklaying techniques, indented-corner designs, and the elegant proportions of the chedi bases provide valuable insight into architectural development during a transitional historical period.

The atmosphere surrounding Phraya Phraek Temple is peaceful and natural, allowing visitors to explore the ruins at a relaxed pace. One can closely examine the craftsmanship of ancient builders, from the careful brick alignment to the balanced structural proportions that have endured for centuries. The simplicity of the ruins enhances their historical significance, offering a quiet yet powerful reminder of the past.

Phraya Phraek Temple is located very close to Mahathat Temple and Song Phi Nong Temple, forming a connected group of historical sites within walking distance of one another. Visiting this area feels like stepping back in time to an era when Sankhaburi was a major center of trade, administration, and Buddhism in Thailand’s central plains.