Wat Traimit Witthayaram Worawihan, วัดไตรมิตรวิทยารามวรวิหาร, a second class royal temple, was built
around 1832 AD (2375 BE). It was originally named Wat Sam Chin (Three
Chinese Temple) after three Chinese donors who contributed their properties
to build the temple. In 1929 AD (2482 BE), the name was changed to Wat Traimit
Witthayaram and it became a royal temple in 1956 AD (2499 BE). The
principal Buddha image, named Sukhothai Traimit is located within the Wihan
(Hall of Worship). The image belongs to the Sukhothai period and was
presumably made during the reign of King Ramkhamhaeng the Great (1277-1317
AD, 1820-1860 BE). It was moved from Wat Mahathat in Sukhothai to Wat
Chotinaram (Wat Phrayakrai) during the reign of King Rama III. Then it
was moved to Wat Traimit and stored in the pavilion before being moved to
the present location in 1955 AD (2498 BE).
During this move the image, which was covered in white plaster was dropped,
cracking the plaster. The image was then discovered to be of solid
gold. The entire covering was then removed and the image restored to
its current state. It is thought that the plaster covering was added
to hide the true nature of the image from Burmese invaders.
