Ayutthaya Information

Ayutthaya Information

CITY ATTRACTIONS

TEMPLES, PALACES & MUSEUMS

WAT PHRA SI SAN PHET
This royal temple was the inspiration for the Emerald Buddha Chapel in Bangkok, and is the focal point of a complex cur-rently 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 commemo-rate his father, King Ramathibodi I, who founded Ayutthaya as his new capital in 1350.

WAT RATCHABURANA
Located opposite Wat Mahathat, this tem-ple was built by King Borom Rachathirat II during the 1420s.

Wat Mahathat
Dating 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 Ratchaworawihan
This temple, noteworthy for excellent mu-rals in the main classsic Ayutthayan-style chapel, near the Pom Phet fortress, is a royal monastery of the present Chakri dy-nasty.

Wat Suanluang Sopsawan
This 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, dur-ing elephant-back combat, repelling Bur-mese invaders in 1548, to save her hus-band. A statue of the queen astride a war elephant dominates the Queen Sisuriyothai Memorial Park on the city outskirts.

Wat Lokayasutharam
This 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 fol-lowers 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 condi-tion.

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 Phananchoeng
This riverside temple pre-dates Ayutthaya's founding as the Siamese capi-tal 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 Chaiyamongkhon
This monastery dates from the mid-1300s, The enormous pagoda was built by King Naresuan the Great to celebrate his vic-tory in 1592 over the Burmese Crown Prince in single-handed combat on elephants.

Chanthrakasem or Front Palace
Located 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 800s 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 responsibil-ity of the Fine Arts Department. The mu-seum is open every day, except Monday, Tuesday and national holidays, between 9.00 AM and 4.00 PM. Admission: 10 Bath.

Chao Sam Phraya National Museum
The museum contains many Ayutthayan-style 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 Bath.

Ayutthaya Historical Study Centre
Located 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 Ayutth-aya's historical past, an information serv-ice and a library. The centre is open from 9.00 AM until 4.00 PM every day, except Mondays, Tuesdays and national holi-days. Admission: 100 Bath.

Khun Phaen's Residence
This 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 life-style.

Elephant Kraal
This unique teak and brick structure, just beyond Ayutthaya's riverine island, was formerly used to entrap wild elephants herded down from the North..Such occur-rences were traditionally presided over by Ayutthayan monarchs, partly because the mighty beasts were vital to Ayutthaya's military strength.

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OUT OF CITY ATTRACTIONS

Prasat Nakhon Luang
This 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 Palace
Half 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 popu-lar with late Ayutthaya-period monarchs and early kings of the present Chakri dy-nasty. Originally, the riverine island was used by the Ayutthayan monarch, Prasat Thong (reign: 1630-1655) as a summer residence, and by every Ayutthayan monarch thereafter. When Bangkok became the new Thai capital in 1782, Bang Pa-In remained deserted for 80 years. King Rama IV (reign: 1851-1868) stayed there and had a resi-dence constructed in the old palace com-pound. His son, King Chulalongkorn (reign: 1868-1910) liked the place, and stayed there every year, largely cons-tructing the royal palace, a collection of Thai, European and Chinese-style build-ings, as it is seen today. The palace is open every day from 8.30 AM until 3.30 PM. Admission is 50 Bath. Major palace buildings include :

Aisawanthipphaya-At Pavilion
This lovely classic Thai-style pavilion in the centre of an ornamental lake is one of Thailand's best-known landmarks. Origi-nally 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 Hall
Formerly 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 Hall
The current wooden structure is a faithful reproduction of the original, which burned down in 1938.

Wehat Chamrun Hall
This 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 Hall
The 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 Monument
This memorial to the consort of Rama V who died tragically during a boating acci-dent at Bang Pa-In contains the queen's ashes and relics.

Wat Niwet Thammaprawat
This 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 Bud-dhist temples anywhere in Thailand.

Bang Sai Royal Folk Arts & Crafts Centre
This 14-acre riverside complex in Ayutthaya's Bang Sai district is under the Foundation of Supplementary Occupa-tions and Related Techniques (SUPPORT) which was established under royal patron-age during 1976. 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. The Bang Sai Folk Arts and Crafts Cen-tre is open every day from 8.30 AM until 4.30 PM. There are no demonstrations on Monday. Admission is 20 Bath. 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 Bath by airconditioned bus, and 17 Bath by ordi-nary buses.

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MAJOR EVENTS AND FESTIVALS

Bang Sai Arts & Crafts Fair
Each January, the Royal Arts & Crafts Cen-tre features handicrafts exhibitions and demonstrations and traditional folk enter-tainment performances.

Songkran Festival
Traditional Thai New Year celebrations, each April 13, in front of the Phra Mongkhon Bophit Chapel, include reli-gious merit-making and public merriment, largely in the form of good-natured water throwing.

Bang Sai Loi Krathong (Fes-tival of Lights) & Boat Races
Each November, the Centre hosts tradi-tional Loi Krathong celebrations, includ-ing floating away krathongs under the full moon, beauty contests, handicrafts demonstrations and exhibitions, long boat races, and special events.

Ayutthaya World Heritage Site Celebrations
Each 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.

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Information provided by T.A.T (Tourism Autority of Thailand)