Ayutthaya

AYUTTHAYA PROVINCE

The ancient city of Ayutthaya, or Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya was the Thai capital for 417 years. This old capital was founded in 1350 by King U-Thong and was sacked by the Burmese in 1767. Thirty three kings of different dynasties ruled the kingdom. Ayutthaya is located 76 kms. north of Bangkok. It was one of Indo-China's most prosperous cities and is one of Thailand's major historical attractions. The grandeur of Ayutthaya is reflected by numerous magnificent structures and ruins concentrated in and around the city island surrounded by the Chao Phraya, Pa Sak and Lop Buri Rivers. The area, well conserved as a historical park, has been included in UNESCO's list of World Heritage since 13 December 1991. Ayutthaya covers an area of 2,556 square kilometres.

Ayutthaya Historical Park

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Ayutthaya's historic temples are scattered throughout this once magnificent city and along the encircling rivers. Several of the more central ruins Wat Phra Si Sanphet, Wat Mongkhon Bophit, Wat Na Phra Meru, Wat Thammikarat, Wat Ratburana and Wat Phra Mahathat can be visited on foot.


Wat Na Phra Men




This temple is located on the bank of Sa Bua Canal opposite the grand palace. The date of construction is unknown. The ubosot has been designed in a very old typical Thai style. The most interesting objects are the principal Buddha image, fully decorated in regal attire, and another image made of black stone in the small vihara.

Prasart Nakhon Luang
Situated on the east bank of the Pa Sak River, Amphoe Nakhon Luang, this palace was a royal residence for Ayutthayan kings during their trips to Lop Buri and the Buddha's Footprint Shrine in Saraburi. It is assumed to have been constructed during the reign of King Songtham, but was improved to be a brick and plaster building during the reign of King Prasat Thong.


Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon




This temple is located outside the city to the southeast in the same direction as the railway station. It was build by King U-thong in 1357 for meditation. In 1592, when King Naresuan defeated the Burmese by killing the Burmese Crown Prince in single-handed combat on elephant, he commanded a large pagoda build at this temple to match the high pagoda at Wat Phukhao Thong. This massive pagoda, in ruinous state at the present, is visible from a distance.

Wat Phra Mahathat



This temple is on the corner of Chi Kun Road and Naresuan Road. A tall pagoda was built by King Ramkesuan in 1384. A buried treasure chest containing valuables including a relic of Lord Buddha, several golden Buddha images and many other objects in gold, ruby and crystal was found during the excavation in 1956.


Grand Palace

Currently called "Ancient Palace", this residential palace of every Ayutthayan king is located close to the city wall. The palace was originally built by King U-Thong. During the reign of King Borom Trailokkanat and the later kings, several buildings were added. Most pavilions were completely destroyed in 1767, leaving only brick foundations, porticoes and walls. The Tri Muk Pavilion, a wooden structure with a brick foundation, was rebuilt in its original style at the command of King Rama V in 1907.

Wat Phra Si Sanphet




This is the most important temple within the Royal Palace compound and the original from which the Temple of the Emerald Buddha in Bangkok has been copied. Three outstanding Ceylonese style pagodas were built during the 15th century to enshrine the ashes of three Ayutthayan kings.


Wat Phananchoeng



This temple, south of the town, has no record about its construction. It had been build before Ayutthaya was founded as the capital. The principal image called "Phrachao Phananchoeng" in the wihara was built in 1325. The golden Buddha image is 19 metres tall, made of trucco in the attitude of subduing evil. It is most revered by the inhabitants of Ayutthaya.

Bang Sai Royal Folk Arts and Crafts Centre




This centre occupies an area of 14 acres in Amphoe Bang Sai which can be visited either by road or river. It was established under royal patronage in 1976. Farmers from rural areas undergo training in folk arts and crafts here. Visitors will have a glimpse of various different Thai houses in regional styles and see how the rural people produce exquisite handicrafts including fern vien basketry, weaving basketry, artificial flowers, hand-woven silk and cotton, silk dyeing, wood-carving, miniature hand-modelled Thai dolls, furniture making, and cloth-made products.

Wat Chaiwatthanaram




King Prasat Thong commanded it to be built outside the city island on the bank of the Chao Phraya River. Great beauty has been reflected from the main stupa and its satellite stupas along the gallery, influenced by Khmer architecture.

Wihan Phra Mongkhon Bophit



Phra Mongkhon Bophit , a large bronze cast Buddha image was originally enshrined in the open area outside the Grand Palace and later covered by a building in the reign of king Songtham. During the fall of Ayutthaya, the building was badly destroyed by fire. The one currently seen was reconstructed, but does not have as beautiful craftmanship as the previous one. The open area east of the sanctuary was where the royal cremation ceremonies took place.

The Support Arts and Craft International Centre of Thailand (SACICT)
The Support Arts and Craft International Centre of Thailand (SACICT) is located on the left bank of the Chao Phraya River at Chang Yai Sub-District, Bang Sai District, next to the Bang Sai Arts and Crafts Center, on an area of over 18 acres. It comprises 2 main buildings, Phra Ming Mongkhon Hall, a large three-storey building, as the display and exhibition center of craft products for export, with a usable area of 34,340 square meter, and the Marketing Building for Bang Sai Center Products, with an area of 7,000 square meters, which was completed in July 2004.


Khun Phan House
Khun Phaen House is a Thai-style house that conforms to descriptions in a popular Thai literary work. Khun Phaen’s house is located on Pathon Road, Tambon Pratuchai, near Wihan Phra Mongkhon Bophit, which has a total area of 5 rai, is located within the area of the Ayutthaya liquor plant adjacent to Chedi Phra Si Suriyothai.

Chao Sam Phraya National Museum
Located on Rochana Road, opposite the city wall, this museum houses various antique bronze Buddha images, famous carved panels and local artifacts. A receptacle at the Thai pavilion contains relics of Lord Buddha and objects of art more than 500 years old. It is open from Wednesdays to Sundays from 9.00 a.m. - 4.00 p.m.

Ayutthaya Studies Institute
Sited next to Ayutthaya Historical Study Centre is an institute established with the aim of unertaking further study and research on Ayutthaya's history, its arts and culture, ways of life as well as local wisdoms.

Phom Phet (The Diamond Fort)
This fort that remains almost intact while ruins of the other forts which had been destroyed are visible around the city island. This fortress, also known as Phom Phet Pairote, is situated on a site known as Bangkaja where the Maenam Chao Phraya and the Maenam Pasak meet to form the south-west corner of the city island. This large fortress is thought to have been built during the reign of King Mahathammaracha following the loss of Ayutthaya to the Burmese for the first time in 1549. The original earthen parapet was strengthened with brick.

Wat Niwet Thamaprawat
This temple, which was built Rama V (Chulalongkorn), looks more like a Gothic Christian church than a Thai temple. Visitors can access the temple by crossing the river in a small trolley-like cable car. The crossing is free of charge. There are several nice boat trips departing from Bangkok to Bang Pa-In Palace, especially through cruise tours. The Palace is open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily with an admission fee of 50 bahts. Tel: 035 261004 or 035 2243273 for more details.

Gong Khong Market
A newly established market worth visiting. Showcasing Ayutthaya's old way of live, the market's name is derived from an action of visitors who need to bend down (Gong Khong) when looking or purchasing the products. A wide range of reasonably priced local products including fresh and chemical-free vegetables and fruites, as well as OTOP products, food and desserts are available.

Ayutthaya Historical Study Center
Located on Rochana Road, this is a national research institute devoted to the study of Ayutthaya, especially during the period when it was the capital of Thailand. The centre also exhibits reconstructions of Ayutthaya from the past with modern illustrating techniques, and supports an information service and a library. It is open daily from 9.00 a.m. - 4.00 p.m.

Wat Tum
Thong Road, 6 – 7 kilometres from Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, the temple covers an area of approximately 15 rai. There is no evidence as to when it was constructed and by whom. It is believed to have existed since the Ayothaya period before the establishment of the Kingdom of Ayutthaya and must have once been abandoned after the fall of the Kingdom in 1767, before being renovated in the reign of King Rama I and has resumed a status as a monastic temple ever since.