The city of Ayutthaya is one of the ancient capitals of the Siamese kingdom, its archaeological park is to be discovered and is only 75 km north of Bangkok.
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The old and new city of Ayutthaya
The ancient city whose full name is Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya was destroyed by the Burmese armies of King Hsinbyushin in 1767. Its ruins were made into a Historical park.
The new town was rebuilt a few kilometres further east and is located at the confluence of the Chao Phraya and Pa Sak rivers.
Etymology
The nameAyutthaya comes from the city ofAyodhyain India. This city is indeed the city of Rāma, hero of the Rāmāyana. This name means "who cannot be conquered" in Sanskrit.
History of the old town
The city, founded in 1350, was the second capital of the Kingdom of Siam.
Between the 14th and 18th centuries, this flourishing city became one of the largest and most cosmopolitan settlements in the world, as well as a global centre of diplomacy and trade.
Ayutthaya was built on an island surrounded by three rivers connecting it to the sea, in a strategic location above the bar of the Gulf of Siam.
This position made it safe from attack by foreign warships and also protected it from seasonal flooding.
The town was attacked and razed to the ground in 1767 by the Burmese army, which drove the inhabitants out.
It was never rebuilt in the same place and its ruins are now a vast archaeological site.
This World Heritage Site is located in the district of Phra Nakhon Si AyutthayaIt has an area of 289 hectares.
Well known from contemporary sources and maps, the layout of the city was a strict grid of roads and canals surrounded by a moat.
Taking advantage of the city's location at the centre of three rivers, its unique water supply system was highly advanced.
Ideally situated at the top of the Gulf of Siam, equidistant from India and China and far enough upstream to resist the Arab and European powers then expanding in the region, the city was itself in the process of establishing and expanding its power by occupying the vacuum left by the fall of Angkor.
It became a regional and global economic and commercial centre and a bridge between East and West.
The Royal Court of Ayutthaya exchanged ambassadors all over the world, including the Court of Versailles in France and the Mughal Court in Delhi, as well as with the imperial courts of Japan and China.
The government employed foreigners and others lived in the city on a personal basis.
Downstream from the royal palace were enclaves of foreign traders and missionaries, each building having its own architectural style.
Foreign influences were therefore numerous in the city and the ruins ofAyutthaya have kept the trace of this artistic and architectural diversity.
Ambassador of Siam to Louis XIV
The art school ofAyutthaya This is a testament to the ingenuity and creativity of the local civilisation, but also to its ability to assimilate a multitude of foreign imprints.
The great Buddhist palaces and monasteries built in the capital, for example Wat Mahathat and Wat Phra Si Sanphet, attest to an economic vitality and technical prowess as well as embodying an intellectual tradition.
The decoration of all the buildings used the best craftsmanship and wall art, eclectically mixing traditional styles from Sukhothai, inherited from Angkor and borrowed from 17th and 18th century Japanese, Chinese, Indian, Persian and European cultures.
A rich and unique expression of a cosmopolitan culture that was responsible for the fusion of artistic and architectural styles in the later Rattanakosin era and beyond.
Painting of Ayutthaya
When the capital of the restored kingdom was moved downstream and a new city was built in Bangkok, it was the urban model and architectural style ofAyutthaya which they sought to reproduce.
Many architects and masons inAyutthaya worked on the construction of the new capital.
This desire to reproduce refers to the urban planning philosophy of the many cities in the world that strive for the perfection of the mythical city ofAyodhaya.
In Thailand, the official name of the capital city of Bangkok still contains the word "Bangkok". Ayutthaya "(see the full name of Bangkok).
The old town today
The historical part is partly made up of the ruins of its ancient temples (or wat).
These ruins represent about fifteen sites, including a reclining Buddha.
While at the time of their construction the temples and sculptures were entirely covered with white plaster, this has deteriorated over time and now covers only a tiny proportion of the constructions.
The underlying red brick is now bare.
Wat Na Phra Men is the only period temple still standing and active today.
The new town of Ayutthaya is a pleasant, quiet place where you will find a wide choice of hotels and restaurants.
If you spend a night in Ayutthaya, be sure to visit the night market (in Thai : talat nat) which is Thanon Bang Ian (Thanon = street in Thai).
When to visit Ayutthaya
Ayutthaya province is hot and humid all year round.
The best time to visit, as in most of this part of Thailand, is between November and January, when it is slightly cooler.
Things to see and do in Ayutthaya
The tourist office
It is a good starting point to get free maps, see an exhibition about the history of the city, its people, its culinary specialities and the main tourist sites.
Address: Pratu Chai Sub-district, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Ayutthaya Province 13000, Thailand
The museums
Ayutthaya Historical Study Centre
On Rojana Rd.
Interesting museum that puts the remains of the city in a historical perspective.
A large part of the museum is devoted to Siam's relations with other peoples, but city life, art and culture are also covered.
Entrance fee: foreigners: adults 100 baht, children 50 baht.
Baan Hollanda
Located on Soi Kan Rua and open from 09:00 to 17:00.
This information centre was presented to King Bhumibol and the Thai people by the former Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands.
It is located on the eastern bank of the Chao Phaya River, on the site of the Dutch pavilion that was built there in 1608.
It aims to tell the story of the Dutch colonisation, its functioning, its life and its interactions with Siamese society.
The museum offers informal learning by combining education and fun.
Entrance fee: 50 baht
The Chantharakasem National Museum
On Uthong Rd, open from 9am to 4pm.
It is the former residence of King Naresuan the Great, built in 1577.
Entrance fee: 100 baht (foreigners)
The Chao Sam Phraya National Museum
Most of the treasures of Ayutthaya were stolen, burned and melted down by armies or treasure hunters.
Some pieces have survived and are on display in this museum.
Most of the riches are gold statues found at Wat Ratchaburana and Wat Phra Mahathat.
Entrance fee: 150 baht (foreigners)
Find a hotel in Ayutthaya
You will have no trouble finding hotel accommodation, but if you come between November and February, the high season in Thailand or during important celebrationsIt is best to book in advance.
You can find the best hotel deals in Ayutthaya with Booking.com
Photos of Ayutthaya
Video of Ayutthaya
How to get to Ayutthaya
To compare transport prices, check timetables or book a plane, bus, train or boat ticket see :
Transport in Thailand, getting around in the land of smiles.
By train
Departing from Hua Lamphong station in Bangkok.
By bus
From Bangkok North Bus Station (Mo chit) air-conditioned buses leave for Ayutthaya every half hour from 5.30am to 7.20pm.
Many non-air-conditioned buses to Bang Pa-in, Bang Sai and Ayutthaya depart between 5.30am and 7.20pm.
By car
1- Take Highway 1 (Phahonyothin Road) and then Highway 32 to Ayutthaya.
2- Take Highway 304 (Chaengwattana Road) or Highway 302 (Ngamwongwan Road), then turn right onto Highway 306 (Tiwanon Road) then Highway 3111 (Pathum Thani Sam Khok Sena) and finally turn right into Sena onto Highway 3263.
3- Take highway 306 through Nonthaburi and Pathum Thani and then take highway 347.
Getting around the city
Mini-buses buses run from the bus station to the city centre, the trip from the station to the city centre costs around 20 baht.
Hire a mini-bus to get around the city costs between 250 and 300 baht per day.
Mini-buses performing the Ayutthaya - Bang Pa-In leaves from the Chao Prom Market at 6.30 am.
The price is about 30 baht and the journey takes about 50 minutes.
You can also :
Rent a bike for about 50 baht/day
Rent a motorbike for about 250-300 baht/day
Using the services of a tuk tuk…
Maps of Ayutthaya
Map of the city
Map of the provinceMap of the historic park
Google map
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