|
The ancient city of Ayutthaya, formally
designated Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya was the Thai capital
city for 417 years ago, and is one of Thailand's major
tourist attractions.
Ayutthaya province is relatively small at 2,557 sq.km.
and is easily accessible due to good road, rail and
river connections and its proximity to Bangkok, Stradding
the Chao Phraya River, the nation's principal waterway,
the province is extremely important, as it was the
Siamese capital for four centuries. The city of Ayutthaya
is 76 km. north of Bangkok and boasts numerous magnificent
ruins from its days as the capital. Just to the south,
in perfect condition, stands the royal palace of Bang
Pa-In set in splendid gardens. The province is also
noted for H.M. the Queen's Bang Sai Arts and Crafts
Centre.
Many ancient ruins and art works can be seen in a
city that was founded in 1350 by King U-Thong when
the Thais were forced southwards by northern neighbours.
During the period when Ayutthaya was capital, 33 kings
and several dynasties ruled the kingdom, until the
glittering city was sacked by the Burmese in 1767,
ruined and abandoned.
The extensive ruins and the historical records demonstrate
that Ayutthaya was one of Southeast Asia's most prosperous
cities. In recognition of its historical and cultural
importance, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Historical Park,
the location of the ruins adjacent to today's city,
was declared a UNESCO'S World Heritage
site in 1991.
|
|
 WAT
PHRA SI SANPHET
This important and outstanding monastery is located
in the grand palace compound, like Wat Phra Si Rattanasatsadaram
(Wat Phra Kaeo) of Bangkok. It was used as a residential
palace in the reign of King Ramathibodi I. When King
Borom Trai Lokkanat commanded that new living quarters
be built, this residential palace was dedicated as
the royal chapel without monks and novice inhabitants.
It is open everyday from 08.00-18.00 hrs. Admission
is 30 baht.
 WIHAN
PHRA MONGKHON BOPHIT
Phra Mongkhon Bophit, a large bronze cast Buddha image,
was originally enshrined outside the grand palace
to the east. King Songtham commanded it to be transferred
to the west where it is currently enshrined and covered
with a Mondop. During the 2nd fall of Ayutthaya, the
building and the image were badly destroyed by fire.
The one currently seen is a reconstruction. The open
area northeast of the Sanctuary (Wihan) was
where the royal cremation ceremony took place (this
practice is now held at Sanam Luang, the Phra Men
Ground of Bangkok).
 WAT
MAHA THAT
This temple is located in front of the grand palace
to the east near Pa Than Bridge. It was constructed
in the reign of King Borom Rachathirat I. It houses
the holy relics of Lord Buddha. Wat Mahathat is open
everyday from 08.00-18.00 hrs. Admission is 30 baht.
 CHAO
SAM PHRAYA NATIONAL MUSEUM
The museum is located Dn Rochana Road, opposite the
Tourism Authority of Thailand Dffice. It exhibits
various antiques, Buddha images and famous carved
panels. A receptacle in the Mondop contains the relics
of Lord Buddha and objects of art more than 500 years
old. The museum also has a substantial collection
of local artifacts. It is open everyday except Mondays,
Tuesday from 09.00-16.00 hrs. Admission is 30 baht.
 WAT
NA PHRA MEN
The former name of this monastery was Wat Phra Merurachikaram.
It is located on the bank of Khong Subua opposite
the grand palace. The Ubosot design is of early Ayutthaya
style. The most interesting objects are the principal
Buddha image, fully decorate in regal attire, and
another ancient Buddha image made of stone in the
small Wihan. It is open everyday from 08.00-17.00
hrs. Admission is 20 baht.
 WAT
YAI CHAIMONGKHON
This monastery, constructed . urmg the reign of King
Uthong, is lo- ated outside the city to the utheast
in the same direction as the railway station. One
can see its large pagoda from far away. King Naresuan
e Great commanded that the pagoda built to celebrate
the victory of his mbat on elephant back, He also
tended a huge construction to match the large pagoda
of Wat Phukhao Thong, and named it "Phra Chedi
Chaimongkhon" It is open everyday from 08.00-18.00
hrs. Admission is 20 baht.
 WAT
PHANAN CHOENG
Overlooking the river on the opposite bank
from the main city, Wat Phanan Choeng was founded
shortly before the establishment of Ayutthaya as the
Kingdoms capital. Its main building enshrines a huge,
seated Buddha image, that is 57 feet tall an object
of particular devotion to Thais of Chinese origin.
This principal image called Phrachao Phananchoeng
was built of stucco in the attitude of subduing evil
in 1325. The temple is a popular stopover for riverboat
cruises along the Maenam Chao Phraya. This temple
can be reached by boat from the fortress ruins.
|
 WAT
PHRA RAM
This monastery was situated outside the grand palace
compound to the southeast. It was constructed by the
royal command of King Ramesuan on ground where the
royal cremation ceremony for his father, King Uthong,
took place, A big lagoon in front of this monastery
was originally named "Nong Sano" latterly
"Bung Phra Ram", and currently "Phra
Ram Public Pak" Wat Phra Ram is open everyday
from 08.00-18.00 hrs. Admission is 30 baht.
 WAT
RATCHABURANA
This monastery was located near P Chan Bridge opposite
Wat Maha That. King Borom Rachathirat II (Chao Sam
Phraya) Commanded that two pagodas be built on the
ground where Chao Ai and Chao Yi engaged n single-handed
combat on elephant back, md both were killed. Later,
he established Wihan combined with the Prang nearby
ind upgraded it to a monastery. Wat Ratchaburana is
open everyday from) 8.00-18.00 hrs. Admission is 30
baht.
 WAT
PHUTTHAISAWAN
This monastery is located on the riverbank opposite
the city island to the south. Constructed in the area
where King Uthong and his subject first migrated for
the establishment of a new city of Ayutthaya, it was
formerly called "Wiang Lek".
 WAT
CHAIWATTHANARAM
This is another monastery located on the same riverbank
as Wat Phutthaisawan but to the west of the city island.
It was built by the royal command of King Prasat Thong.
The existing main Prang and pagodas around the corners
are still in good shape. Wat Caiwatthanaram is open
everyday from 08.00-18.00 hrs. Admission is 30 baht.
 AYUTTHAYA
HISTORICAL STUDY CENTER
Located on Rochana Road, this center is a national
research institute devoted to the study of Ayutthaya,
especially during the period when Ayutthaya was the
capital of Thailand. The Center is responsible for
the museum of the history of Ayutthaya which exhibits
reconstructions from Ayutthaya's past. The Center
also supports an information service and a library
containing historical materials about Ayutthaya. Open
everyday from 09.00-16.30 hrs. For more details please
contact tel. (035) 245123-4, admission is 100baht.
 ELEPHANT
KRAAL PAVILION
The pavilion, utilized as the royal seat to witness
the elephant roundup, is located in Tambon Suan Phrik,
Amphoe Phra Nakhon Si. Ayutthaya. Its appearance is
that of a big cage surrounded by logs having, from
the front center, fencing lines of 45 degrees spread
out to both sides far away into the jungle area. Around
the kraal itself is an easthern wall with bricks to
the height of the top of the logs. Behind the kraal
and opposite the front fencing line is the pavilion
housing the royal seat. The kraal currently seen was
renovated in 1988 by the government.
BANG PA-IN SUMMER PALACE
Bang Pa-In is one of Ayutthaya's districts. It lies
58 kilometers north of Bangkok by rail, 61 kilometers
by road. Bang Pa-In is famous for its royal palace
which attracts many tourists. Originally, there was
a riverine island. When King Prasat Thong became the
Ayutthaya's king (1630-1655), he had the chumphon
Nikayaram Temple built on his family estate. Later,
he had a palace built in the middle of the island
where he could periodically reside. The palace, surrrounded
by a lake 400 meters long and 40 meters wide, and
the Chumphon Nikayaram Temple are all that remain
of King Prasat Thong's construction work at Bang Pa-In
Palace was used as country residene by every Ayutthaya
monarch after King Prasat Thong. But when the new
capital was extablished in Bangkok, Bang Pa-In Palace
Was deserted for 80 years. It was only during King
Rama IV's reign (1851-1868) that Bang Pa-In Palace
was again visited by kings. King Rama IV stayed there
and had a house built in the old palace compound.
His son, King Rama V (1868-1910) liked the place,
stayed there every year and constructed the royal
palace as it is seen.
Bang Pa-In Island is located 40 kilometers from the
city island of Ayutthaya. To access Bang Pa-In from
Ayutthaya, one can go by Phahonyothin Road and make
a right turn at km. 35 for 7 kilometers to the Bang
Pa-In Palace.
It is open everyday between 08.00-16.00 hrs. Admission
is 100 baht. For more details, please contact tel.
(035) 261044,261935
|
