Rama lll was an efficient merchant since his youth as Prince Chetsadabodin. He was so highly successful that his royal father teasingly called him “Chaosua”(millionaire in Chinese). He was keen on Chinese artistic style. He had it integreated with traditional Thai style, which was later khown as the “royally preferred artistic style.”
The very first temple the king had tried this idea on was Wat Chom Thong, an old Ayutthaya temple almost entirely renovated with adittonal donations from Cjinese merchants at Sampheng and Chinese craftsmen. Rama ll re-named it Wat Ratchaorot, meaning the temple of a king’s son. The architectural style here has been considered prototypical of rama lll’s ‘preferred artistic style’ before his enthronement.Other dignitaries later emulated the style in other temples.

Many visitors to the monastic quarters may not notice a small stone seat under atree near the hall. Don’t ever take a rest upon it for it was Rama lll’s royal reat during his visit to supervise the construction.

Cruising the Historic Canal Admire the Sino-Thai Temple from the Third Reign
In the old days, there was a passage from Khlong Dan to the southern sea. The waterway was thus crowded since the Ayutthaya Period with communities on both riverbanks. A cruise along this canal will unfold us ancint traditional houses and significant temples. From Bangkok Yai Canal, we will see Wat Nong Chi, Wat Nong, Wat Nang Nong, and Wat Ratchaorot respectively. All of them were built in the Third Reign in the royally preferred Sino-Thai style. The roofing structure has no finial and windbreaks. The gables are decked with stucco and porcelain in Chinese auspicious patterns. Visitors keen on cruising khlong Dan can easily find a rental boat at Tha Chang Pier.