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AYUTTHAYAAyutthaya, 76 kilometres north of Bangkok, was the Thai capital from 1350 until 1767, when the city was virtually destroyed by Burmese invaders. Ruined palaces and temples attest to the riverine island city's former grandeur. Indeed, during its zenith in the mid-1600s, Ayutthaya was a truly cosmopolitan city, and the major power in Southeast Asia. Ayutthaya province covers some 2,556 square kilometres, and contains several attractions connected mainly with Thai royalty, past and present. HISTORYThe Kingdom of Ayutthaya was built and developed in leaps and bounds. The ruins in Ayutthaya that survived the test of time embody both the glorious and ignominious stories of the Kingdom. This ancient capital of the Kingdom of Ayutthaya, founded in 1350 by King U-Thong, had thirty three kings of different dynasties and reached its peak in the middle of the18th century. A magnificent city with three palaces and over 400 magnificent temples on an island threaded by canals Ayutthaya was truly an impressive city that attracted both Europeans and Asians. After a 15-month siege the Kingdom of Ayutthaya was conquered and completely destroyed by the Burmese in 1767. When King Taksin the Great finally liberated the Kingdom, a new dynasty was established and the capital was moved to Thonburi. The seal of Ayutthaya depicts a conch on a pedestal tray placed in a small castle under a Mun tree. According to legend, King U-Thong, founder of the Kingdom of Ayutthaya, discovered a beautiful conch buried in the ground being prepared for the establishment of the seat of his Kingdom. Consequently, he had a tiny castle built to house the shell. Hence, the provincial seal. CITY ATTRACTIONSTEMPLES, PALACES & MUSEUMSWat Phra Si San PhetThis royal temple was the inspiration for the Emerald Buddha Chapel in Bangkok, and is the focal point of a complex currently called the 'Ancient Palace'. Much like the Grand Palace complex in Bangkok, the 'Ancient Palace' was the traditional residence of Ayutthayan monarchs. The entire complex is dominated by Wat Phra Si San Phet's three towering Ayutthayan-style chedis, and contains several satellite ruins of meeting halls used for state ceremonies, to welcome foreign envoys, to view military parades and royal barge processions, and for leisure. Adjacent to the complex is the Phra Mongkhon Bophit Chapel which houses a massive bronze Buddha image. Wat Phra Ram This temple was constructed during the late 1300s by King Ramesuan to commemorate his father, King Ramathibodi I, who founded Ayutthaya as his new capital in 1350.Wat RatchaburanaLocated opposite Wat Mahathat, this temple was built by King Borom Rachathirat II during the 1420s.Wat MahathatDating from the late 1300s, this extensive temple was destroyed in 1767. Golden memorabilia from the temple is displayed in the Chao Sam Phraya National Museum.Wat Suwandaram RatchaworawihanThis temple, noteworthy for excellent murals in the main classsic Ayutthayan-style chapel, near the Pom Phet fortress, is a royal monastery of the present Chakri dynasty.Wat Suanluang SopsawanThis riverside monastery was built during the mid-1500s, and contains the Queen Sisuriyothai Memorial Chedi honouring the Ayutthayan heroine, Queen Sisuriyothai, who sacrificed her life, during elephant-back combat, repelling Burmese invaders in 1548, to save her husband. A statue of the queen astride a war elephant dominates the Queen Sisuriyothai Memorial Park on the city outskirts.Wat LokayasutharamThis temple is noteworthy for a long brick and plaster reclining Buddha image some 29 metres in length. Wat Phuttaisawan This riverside temple was constructed in the area where King U-Thong (later crowned King Ramathibodi I) and his followers founded the new capital of Ayutthaya in 1350. Wat Chaiwattanaram Another riverside temple built by King Prasat Thong during the 1600s. The main prang and pagodas remain in good condition. Wat Na Phramen This temple, still in use today, is the only temple not completely destroyed during the 1767 invasion and destruction of Ayutthaya.Wat PhananchoengThis riverside temple pre-dates Ayutthaya's founding as the Siamese capital in 1350. The principal Buddha image was built in 1325 and is highly revered by local inhabitants.Wat Phukhao Thong (Golden Mount)Located two kilometres northwest of the Wat Phra Si San Phet complex, this temple was constructed in 1387 during the reign of King Ramesuan.Wat Yai ChaiyamongkhonThis monastery dates from the mid-1300s, The enormous pagoda was built by King Naresuan the Great to celebrate his victory in 1592 over the Burmese Crown Prince in single-handed combat on elephants.Chanthrakasem or Front PalaceLocated on the bank of the Pasak river, this palace was built as the residence of King Naresuan the Great (reign: 1590-1605). The palace was renovated during the mid 1800s by King Mongkut (Rama IV) to be his residence during occasional visits to Ayutthaya. The palace is now part of the National Museum under the responsibility of the Fine Arts Department.The museum is open every day, except Monday, Tuesday and national holidays, between 9.00 AM and 4.00 PM. Admission: 10 baht. Chao Sam Phraya National MuseumThe museum contains many Ayutthayanstyle objets d'art, including exquisite golden royal memorabilia excavated from local temples.The museum is open every day, except Monday, Tuesday and national holidays, between 9.00 AM and 4.00 PM. Admission: 10 baht. Ayutthaya Historical Study CentreLocated diagonally opposite the Chao Sam Phraya National Museum, this centre is a national research institute devoted to the study of medieval Ayutthaya. The centre contains reconstructions from Ayutthaya's historical past, an information service and a library.The centre is open from 9.00 AM until 4.00 PM every day, except Mondays, Tuesdays and national holidays. Admission: 100 baht. Khun Phaen's ResidenceThis teak traditional Thai-style residence, as might have been owned by a wealthy merchant, located near the Phra Mongkhon Bophit Chapel, evokes a bygone era's lifestyle. Elephant KraalThis unique teak and brick structure, just beyond Ayutthaya's riverine island, was formerly used to entrap wild elephants herded down from the North. Such occurrences were traditionally presided over by Thailand's best-known landmarks. Originally built of wood during the reign of King Rama V, the structure was reinforced with concrete pillars and floor by his son, King Vajiravudh (reign: 1910-1926). Warophat Phiman HallFormerly a wooden, two-storey building used as a throne hall, and royal residence, the present European-style throne hall was constructed by King Rama V. The hall contains several historical paintings, and some of popular Thai literature, including the epic Ramakian, and Inao. Utthayan Phumisathian HallThe current wooden structure is a faithful reproduction of the original, which burned down in 1938. Wehat Chamrun HallThis magnificent Chinese-style building was a gift to King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) from the king's subjects of Chinese ancestry. King Rama V used customarily to reside in the dwelling during Cool Season visits. Withunthatsana HallThe tower-like structure, essentially a three-storey-building with a spiral staircase, was used by King Rama V as a vantage point during his periodic visits. Queen Sunantha MonumentThis memorial to the consort of Rama V who died tragically during a boating accident at Bang Pa-In contains the queen's ashes and relics. Wat Niwet ThammaprawatThis riverine island Buddhist temple was constructed, at the command of King Rama V during 1878, in the style of an English Gothic church. The structure's stained glass windows and unusual architecture make it one of the most distinctive Buddhist temples anywhere in Thailand. Bang Sai Royal Folk Arts & Crafts CentreThis 14-acre riverside complex in Ayutthaya's
Bang Sai district is under the Foundation
of Supplementary Occupations and Related Techniques
(SUPPORT) which was established under royal
patron- Ayutthayan monarchs, partly because
the mighty beasts were vital to Ayutthaya's
military strength. Out-of-City AttractionsPrasat Nakhon LuangThis imposing riverside structure in Amphoe Nakhon Luang was used as royal accommodation by late Ayutthaya-period monarchs during trips to Lop Buri and the Buddha's Footprint Shrine in Saraburi.Bang Pa-In Summer PalaceHalf an hour south of
Ayutthaya, (58 kilometres north of Bangkok
by rail, 61 kilometres by road), Bang Pa-In
is the site of a riverside summer palace formerly
popular with late Ayutthaya-period monarchs
and early kings of the present Chakri dynasty.
Originally, the riverine island was used by
the Ayutthayan monarch, Prasat Thong (reign:
1630-1655) as a summer residence The Bang Sai Folk Arts and Crafts Centre The centre trains farmers from Ayutthaya, and other provinces, in folk arts and crafts. Visitors to the centre can see how such crafts are produced. They include: Fern vine basketry Basketry weaving Artificial silk flowers Hand-woven silks and cottons Silk dyeing Wood carving Miniature hand-made Thai dolls Furniture making Textile products. All such products are sold at the Bang Sai Centre, and in every branch of Chitralada Shops nationwide. It is open every day from 8.30 AM until 4.30 PM. There are no demonstrations on Monday. Admission is 20 baht. Bang Sai can be conveniently reached by public transport from the Northern Bus Terminal on Bangkok's Phaholyothin Road. Buses depart every 30 minutes from 5.30 AM until 6.00 PM. Tickets are 25 baht by airconditioned bus, and 17 baht by ordinary buses. The Royal Folk Arts and Crafts CentreThis is a place where visitors can see the activities of farmers in the 4 regions of Thailand. It covers an area of 285 rai of land (or 14 acres) and in addition to being an important training center for craftspeople, there are interesting products on sale such as fern basketry, wickerwork basketry, artificial flowers, hand-woven silk and cotton, silk production and etc.The Royal Folk Arts and Crafts Centre is open daily except Mondays from 8.30 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. Admission fee is 20 bahts. Call 035-366092, 02-2258265 (Bangkok) for additional information.
Major Events & FestivalsBang Sai Arts & Crafts FairEach January, the Royal Arts & Crafts Centre features handicrafts exhibitions and demonstrations and traditional folk entertainment performances.Songkran FestivalTraditional Thai New Year celebrations, each April 13, in front of the Phra Mongkhon Bophit Chapel, include religious merit-making and public merriment, largely in the form of good-natured water throwing.Bang Sai Loi Krathong (Festival of Lights) & Boat RacesEach November, the Centre hosts traditional Loi Krathong celebrations, including floating away krathongs under the full moon, beauty contests, handicrafts demonstrations and exhibitions, long boat races, and special events. Ayutthaya World Heritage Site CelebrationsEach December, Ayutthaya
celebrates its UNESCO-designation as a World
Heritage Site with light and sound presentations,
historical cultural processions and performances
and folk entertainment within the Ayutthaya Historical
Park. How To Get There:By TrainTrains leave Bangkok's Hualampong Railway Station (Tel: 223-7010, 223-7020 for timetables and fares), daily, every hour, from 4.30 AM until 11.25 PM. The trip takes 80 minutes to Bang Pa-In, and 90 minutes to Ayutthaya. By Bus Direct
Bangkok-Ayutthaya airconditoned buses leave
Bangkok's Northern Bus Terminal on Phaholyothin
Road (Tel: 272-5299, 292-5242 for fares
and further details) every 30 minutes between
6.00 AM and 7.00 PM. By RiverCertain Bangkok operatorsoffer daily river
cruises to and from Bang Pa-In with return
journeys by coach. Transportation in Ayutthaya Mini-buses can be
taken from the railway station into town. Fares
are approximately 5 baht per person. AccommodationA comprehensive list of airconditioned
and non-airconditioned accommodation, and restaurants,
in Ayutthaya can be obtained from the local Tourism
Authority of Thailand office on Si San Phet Road.
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, and by every
Ayutthayan monarch thereafter. 
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