The main chedi of Wat Chang Rob, kamphaeng Phet

The actual construction date of Wat Chang Rob, also Chedi Chang Rob, was unknown. However, as the popularity of elephant-surrounded-styled chedi was at its peak in the Central Thailand during the 14th-15th century AD., this chedi should also be constructed around the same time.

Laterite block is a main material building used for Chedi Wat Chang Rob. Its exterior was covered with plaster and adorned with stucco reliefs. Its significant attributes are a square ambulatory platform with staircases on all four sides. This platform also features standing figures of elephant's front-half stretching along its length. The elephant figures were embellished with stucco jewellery. The spaces between each elephant also adorned with stucco in a form of tree. Above the ambulatory platform is the ruins of round chedi sitting in the middle. At the lower part of the round chedi was decorated with the stucco reliefs of the Jataka. The ruins of round chedi reveals that this chedi was built over an older and smaller chedi.

Chedi Wat Chang Rob Kamphaeng Phet reflects a popular trend of the elephant-surrounded-styled chedi around the central part from the Sukhothai period to the Ayutthaya period. This could also be an evidence of the Lankawongse sect of Theravada Budddhism in Kamphaengphet.

อนันต์ ชูโชติ. “เจดีย์วัดช้างรอบ อ.เมือง จ.กำแพงเพชร” สารนิพนธ์ศิลปศาสตรบัณฑิต สาขาโบราณคดี คณะโบราณคดี มหาวิทยาลัยศิลปากร, 2523.