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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
Panan Choeng, Pasak River
Japanese
Language
Temples
( Wat )
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 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.
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 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
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