Ayutthaya Province

The once thriving metropolis of Ayutthaya is located approximately 86 km north of Bangkok. It replaced Sukhothai as the capital of the Thai Kingdom in 1350 until its destruction by the Burmese forces, under the rule of King Alaungpaya, in 1767. It was built at the confluence of the rivers Chao Phraya, Pa Sak and Lopburi, as an island-city surrounded by a circular canal joining the rivers.
Long before King Ramathibodi (Uthong) ‘founded’ the city, an ‘indianised’ ancient community already existed. The name comes from the Sanskrit word ‘Ayodhya’ meaning ‘undefeatable’, Rama’s legendary kingdom in India. In fact the huge Buddha image at Wat Phananchoeng was cast some twenty odd years before King Ramathibodi moved his residence to the city.
The Ayutthaya period was a great era for international trade for the kingdom. The port of Ayutthaya was an international market place where local products and wares and merchandise from Malay, Indonesia and Persia were bought and exchanged. The Chinese and Arabs were the predominant traders, many of whom later settled in the area along with Persians and Japanese. Dealing in merchandise from all over Asia the thriving markets of Ayutthaya soon attracted the attention of European traders. The Portuguese were the first to arrive in 1511 and concluded a treaty to trade by supplying the Thai’s with guns and ammunition. The Spanish followed in the late 16th century and in the early 17th century the Dutch and British East India trading companies established themselves. The Dutch in fact playing a vital role in Thai international trading between 1605 and 1765.
However it was with the arrival of the French that led to distrust against the foreign traders and to a diminishing role in international trade for almost 150 years. During this time of almost isolation from the international trading scene Ayutthaya enjoyed its Golden Age, where the arts and literature began to flourish and the people enjoyed an unusually peaceful time.
The peaceful times were not to last long though. In 1767 the Burmese troops after 14 months of laying seige, finally captured Ayutthaya. On their withdrawal from the city the Burmese looted, burnt and destroyed the architectural and artistict splendours of over 400 years of Thai civilisation. Over one million of its people were either killed, took to Burma as slaves or fled the destruction.
The site of the ruins were declared a World Hetitage Site by UNESCO in 1991.

Places of Attraction

Wat Phanan Choeng
This temple was built before the foundation of Ayutthaya in 1350, its exact date unknown. Built in the Khmer style, the main viharn houses a huge 19m high sitting Buddha image that dates to 1325 AD. The image is made of stucco and is in the attitude of subduing Mara. This is the most revered image by the people of Ayutthaya.

Wat Mahathat
This magnificent temple dates back to the 14th Century, during the reign of King Ramaesuan. The huge prang stands impressively surrounded by the restored Chedis. This is one of the most impressive sites to see in the Ayutthaya complex. During restoration work in 1956 a buried 'treasure chest' was found. Contained within the chest was a relic of the Lord Buddha, several golden Buddha images and ornate objects in gold, ruby and crystal. These objects are on display in the National Museum in Bangkok. Next to the temple, The Fine Arts Department have built a miniature model city of how they perceive the city was once like.

Wat Phra Sri Sanphet
The temple was built in 1491, at the command of King Borom Trilokkanatin in the grounds of Wang Luang. Two of the now restored Ceylonese-style chedis were built during the reign of King Rama Thi Badee II to enshrine the relics of his father, King Trillokanat, and brother. The third was added later, by his own son King Borom Racha, to enshrine the relic of his father.
The temple also once housed a 16 m high, gold covered Buddha image that was cast by King Ramahatibodhi II in 1500. Unfortunately the image was destroyed by the rampaging Burmese who stripped it of its gold.

Wat Suwan Dararam
The Monastery of the Golden Star. The temple was destroyed by the Burmeses during the destruction of Ayutthaya in 1767. Shortly after an officer of the Ayutthayan army took to the task of its rebuilding. The officer who later became King Rama I ordered the complete restoration  and renamed it in honour of his parents. The temple's main Buddha image is a large stone copy of the Emerald Buddha in Bangkok. The bot shows the distinct character of the time, dipping in the centre. The supporting roof columns are finely carved and the interior walls are adorned with wonderful murals.
 
Chandra Kasem Palace
This palace was built outside the city walls, as a defensive fortress for King Naresuan, while war was raging against the northern empire of Chiang Mai. Although destroyed by the Burmese, it was rebuilt by King Mongkut in the 19th century. The museum in the grounds exhibit a splendid collection of gold treasures and other artefacts.

Wang Luang
This was the Royal palace until its destruction by the Burmese. The palace was built with teakwood, with a stone base and was the residence of all the kings of Ayutthaya. Several other buildings were added by subsequent monarchs. Bricks from the ruins were later taken to Bangkok and used as part of the defensive fortress. However the remains of the foundations have survived to mark the site.

Wat Phra Ram
This is one Ayutthaya's oldest temples, built in 1369 by King Ramesuan, situated on the outside of the eastern town wall. It was built on the site where the first monarch of Ayutthaya, King Uthong, was cremated. The prang has been partially restored, but one can still find some
original stucco garudas and nagas. The tall archway at the entrance to the compound was designed for elephants to pass through.   

Ayutthaya Historical Study Centre
This exceptionally fine centre acts as both a research centre and museum. Situated on Rojana Rd, just south of Wat Phra Ram, this two-storey building is a perfect place to learn more of the ancient past of Autthaya. The museum on the upper floor has fine exhibits of its past, categorised into different groups that define Ayutthaya's great history. From its role as the capital of the kingdom to the international trading from its port, the lives of its peoples and its relationships with others; the museum has more than adequately arranged a fine collection for the visitor's perusal.
The centre was opened in 1990 and was funded by a massive donation from the Japanese goverment. Opening times: 9:00AM - 4:30PM Wed-Fri, 9:00AM - 5:00PM Sat and Sun and public holidays.