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Ayutthaya Travel Guide Thailand, Ayutthaya
Tourist information and Ayutthaya Guide
Visit the
Ayutthaya Thailand Worldheritage to learn more about the history of the Ayutthaya Thailand, Ayutthaya is one of Thailand's historical and majestic highlights. The capital of Thailand, then known as the
Kingdom of Ayutthaya,
Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya was a glorified as one of the biggest cities in
Southeast Asia and a regional power for 417 years.
The Kingdom of Ayutthaya reached its apex in terms of sovereignty, military might, wealth, culture, and international commerce in the
16th century, when the
Kingdom's territory extended into and beyond present-day
Laos,
Cambodia, and
Myanmar. Ayutthaya had diplomatic relations with
Louis XIV of France and was courted by
Dutch,
Portuguese,
English,
Chinese and
Japanese merchants. During the
17th century, most foreign visitors to Ayutthaya, traders and diplomats alike, claimed Ayutthaya to be the most illustrious and glittering city that they had ever visited. The map of Ayutthaya published in 1691 by
Simon de la Loubere in Du Royaume De
Siam is proof of such recognition.
Visitors can explore and appreciate
Thai history in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, which is only 86 kilometers north of
Bangkok. Visitors to Ayutthaya can marvel at its grandeur reflected through numerous magnificent temples and ruins concentrated in and around the city, which is located upon an "island" surrounded by the
Chao Phraya, Pa Sak and
Lopburi Rivers. Although there are numerous attractions, the Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Historical
Park in the heart of Ayutthaya city, is a
UNESCO's
World Heritage site and a wonder to behold.
Once the capital of the
Thai Empire, Ayutthaya was a truly impressive city; with three palaces and over 400 temples, located on an island threaded by canals, it attracted traders and diplomats from both
Europe and
Asia. In 1767, 417 years after it was founded and 15 months after the siege began, the Kingdom of Ayutthaya was conquered and the city's magnificent structures were almost completely destroyed by
Burmese invaders. When
King Taksin the
Great finally liberated the Kingdom, a new dynasty was established and the capital was moved to
Thonburi, across the river from modern-day Bangkok. The ruins that now remain, many of which have been painstakingly restored, have been granted
World Heritage status by UNESCO. The architecture of Ayutthaya is a fascinating mix of
Khmer and early
Sukhothai styles. 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. Ayutthaya is only located about 90 kilometers from Bangkok and can be visited on a daytrip; however, if you appreciate history and religious and historical monuments, an overnight stay will allow for two full days of sightseeing, including a dinner cruise on the Chao Phraya, past the illuminated Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Historical Park, and a visit to only of the city's many other attractions, including the nearby
Bang Sai Folk Arts and
Craft Center.
- published: 03 Sep 2013
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