The
ancient city of Ayutthaya, Thai capital for 417 years, is one of
Thailand's major tourist attractions. 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 neighbors. During the period of Ayutthaya being the Thai capital, 33 kings of
different dynasties ruled the kingdom until it was sacked by the Burmese in 1767.
Wat Phra Sri Samphet, Ancient
Ayutthaya, Thailand
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© LukeTravels.com™
Ayutthaya boasts numerous magnificent ruins.
Such ruins indicate that Ayutthaya was one of Indo-China's most prosperous cities. The
Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Historical Park, a vast stretch of historical site in the heart
of Ayutthaya city has been included in UNESCO list of World Heritage since December 13,
1991.
Reclining Giant Buddha, Ancient
Ayutthaya, Thailand
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Ayutthaya is 72 kilometers north of Bangkok and
administratively divided into 16 districts: Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Ban Phraek, Bang Ban,
Bang Pahan, Bang Pa-in, Bangsai, Bang Sai, Lat Bur Luang, Maha Rat, Nakhon Luang, Phachi,
Phak Hai, Sena, Tha Rua, Uthai and Wang Noi.
Wat Phra Sri Samphet, Ancient
Ayutthaya, Thailand
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Ayutthaya Period can be divided into 5 periods.
The first period or U-Tong period, corresponding to the reign of King Ramathaibodi I
(1350-1369 A.D.) and of his immediate successors, is that of the establishment of
Ayutthaya 's sovereignty over the neighboring Thai principalities.
Ayutthaya, Thailand
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The second Period (1409-1533 A.D.) is the
Kingdom of Ayutthaya extended its territory by its annexation, especially in the North
under King Boromtrailokanat (1448-1488 A.D.)
Wat Phra Sri Samphet, Ancient
Ayutthaya, Thailand
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The third period (1533-1605 A.D.) is the
period of wars, the conquest of the previous period brought Kingdom of Ayutthaya to contact
with powerful neighbors, especially with Burma. In 1569, Burma conquered Siam and Siam
was under Burma for 15 years. King Naresuan the Great (Naret) liberated Siam from Burma in
1584 and gave Siam the most extensive limits she had ever reached. The next period covered
practically the whole 17th century, Siam started its diplomatic and commercial connection
with the western countries.
Ancient Ayutthaya,
Thailand
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Phra
Chao Prasat Thong (1630 -1655 A.D.) founded a new dynasty under which the foreigners and
particularly the Europeans began to trade with Siam. The most famous King of this dynasty
was King Narai the Great (1656-1688 A.D.) in whose reign Siam sent the ambassador to the
King of France, Louis XIV. The fifth and the last period showed the decline of the
Kingdom. Burmese, who had been almost continually at war with Siam since the 15th century,
invaded the country once more, and after a four years contest: captured Ayutthaya, which
was totally damaged in April 1767.
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The seal of Ayutthaya depicts a
conch on a pedestal tray placed in a small castle under a Mun tree.
According to legend, King U-Thong, founder of the Kingdom of Ayutthaya,
discovered a beautiful conch buried in the ground being prepared for the
establishment of the seat of his Kingdom.
Consequently, he had a tiny
castle built to house the shell. Hence, the provincial seal. |
Ayutthaya, Thailand
Photo Copyright © LukeTravels.com™
Ayutthaya Today
Today, there are but groups of
crumbling ruins and rows of headless Buddhas where once an empire thrived.
The temple compounds are still awe-inspiring even in disrepair and a visit
here is memorable and a good beginning for those drawn to the relics of
history.
The architecture of Ayutthaya is a fascinating mix of Khmer (ancient
Cambodian style) and early Sukhothai style. Some cactus-shaped obelisks,
called prangs, denote Khmer influence and look something like the famous
towers of Angkor Wat. The more pointed stupas are ascribed to the
Sukhothai influence. For new arrivals who had limited their visit to
Bangkok, similarities may be noted with the riverside Wat Arun, an
18th-century structure that was built in the so-called Ayutthaya style, a
melding of Sukhothai Buddhist influences and Hindu-inspired Khmer motifs.
How to Get to Ayutthaya: From
Bangkok by Car
Option 1: Take Highway No. 1 (Phahonyothin Road.) then take Highway No. 32
to Ayutthaya.
Option 2: Take Highway No. 304 (Chaeng Watthana Road.) or take Highway No.
302 (Ngamwongwan Road.); turn righ to Highway No. 306 (Tiwanon Road.),
then take Highway No. 3111 (Pathum Thani - Samkhok - Sena) and turn right
at Amphoe Sena to Highway No. 3263
Option 3: Take Highway No. 306 (Bangkok - Nonthaburi - Pathum Thani Road.)
then take Highway No. 347
How to Get to Ayutthaya: From Bangkok by Bus
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Buses run between Bangkok's Northern Bus Terminal (Mochit 2 Bus Terminal)
and Ayutthaya's main terminal on Naresuan Rd. every 20 minutes between 5
a.m. and 7 p.m. The fare is about 30 bahts and the trip takes around two
hours. Air-conditioned buses operate the same route every twenty minutes from 5.40
a.m. to 7.20 p.m. (every fifteen minutes between 7a.m. and 5p.m.) at the rate
of about 47 bahts, the trip takes 1.5 hours when traffic to north of Bangkok is
light, otherwise it will take two hours. |
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How to Get to Ayutthaya: From Bangkok by Train
Trains to Ayutthaya leave Bangkok's Hua Lamphong Station approximately
every hour between 4.20 a.m. and 10 p.m. The 3rd class fare is 15 bahts
for the 1.5 hour trip. Train schedules are available from the information
booth at Hua Lamphong Station. Alternatively, call 0 2223 7010, 0 2223
7020, or 1690 or visit www.railway.co.th for reservations.
How to Get to Ayutthaya: From Bangkok by Boat
There are no scheduled or chartered boat services between Bangkok and
Ayutthaya. However, several companies in Bangkok operate luxury cruises to
Bang Pa-In with side trips by bus to Ayutthaya for approximately 1,500
bahts to 1,800 bahts per person, including a sumptuous luncheon. Longer
two days trips in converted rice barges start at 4,800 baht.
Traveling around Ayutthaya
Song taew and shared tuk-tuk
will go anywhere for 10 to 30 bahts/person depending on the
distance/destination. A tuk-tuk from the train station going to any point
in the old Ayutthaya zone is approximately 30 bahts. Note that the trip on
the island (old Ayutthaya city) itself costs 20 bahts/trip maximum.
To tour the ruins, the most economical and ecological option is to rent a
bicycle from one of the guesthouses (40 to 50 bahts/day). Walking is also
an option, but not recommended during the hot or rainy seasons. It is
possible to charter a sam lor, tuk tuk or song taew by the hour or by the
day to explore the ruins but the prices are relatively high by Thai
standards (150 bahts/hour, or 500 bahts for the entire day).
Another interesting activity is chartering a boat from the Tha Chan Kasem
(Chan Kasem Pier, next to Hua Ro Market) for a semicircular tour of the
island and seeing some of the less accessible ruins. A long tailed boat
with a capacity of up to 8 people can be hired for 400 bahts for a 2 to 3
hour trip with stopovers at Wat Phutthaisawan, Wat Phanan Choeng and Wat
Chai Wattnaram.
Mini - bus services operating from the railway station into the city are
also available. Hiring a mini - bus within Ayutthaya costs 250 - 300 bahts/day.
If you wish to travel between Ayutthaya and Bang Pa - In, mini - buses
regularly leave Chao Prom Market (on Chao Prom Road). Daily schedules
start from 6.30 a.m. with a fare of 30 bahts. The trip takes approximately
50 minutes.¹
*1: Copyright
© Tourism Authority of
Thailand
