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AYUTTHAYA PROVINCE
The
ancient city of Ayutthaya, or Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya was the Thai
capital for 417 years. This old capital was founded in 1350 by King
U-Thong and was sacked by the Burmese in 1767. Thirty three kings of
different dynasties ruled the kingdom. Ayutthaya is located 76 kms. north of Bangkok.
It was one of Indo-China's most prosperous cities and is one of Thailand's
major historical attractions. The grandeur of Ayutthaya is reflected
by numerous magnificent structures and ruins concentrated in and around
the city island surrounded by the Chao Phraya, Pa Sak and Lop Buri Rivers.
The area, well conserved as a historical park, has been included in
UNESCO's list of World Heritage since 13 December 1991. Ayutthaya covers
an area of 2,556 square kilometres.
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Ayutthaya is administratively
divided into 16 districts: Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Ban Phraek,
Bang Ban, Bang Pahan, Bang Pa-in, Amphoe Bang Sai, Bang Sai, Lat
Bua Luang, Maha Rat, Nakhon Luang, Phachi, Phak-Hai, Sena, Tha
Rua, Uthai and Wang Noi.
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A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Ayutthaya's historic
temples are scattered throughout this once magnificent city and along
the encircling rivers. Several of the more central ruins Wat Phra Si
Sanphet, Wat Mongkhon Bophit, Wat Na Phra Meru, Wat Thammikarat, Wat
Ratburana and Wat Phra Mahathat can be visited on foot.
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This temple is located
on the bank of Sa Bua Canal opposite the grand palace. The
date of construction is unknown. The ubosot has been designed
in a very old typical Thai style. The most interesting objects
are the principal Buddha image, fully decorated in regal
attire, and another image made of black stone in the small
vihara.
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Situated on the east bank of the Pa Sak River, Amphoe
Nakhon Luang, this palace was a royal residence for Ayutthayan
kings during their trips to Lop Buri and the Buddha's Footprint
Shrine in Saraburi. It is assumed to have been constructed
during the reign of King Songtham, but was improved to be
a brick and plaster building during the reign of King Prasat
Thong.
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This temple is located outside the city to the southeast
in the same direction as the railway station. It was build
by King U-thong in 1357 for meditation. In 1592, when King
Naresuan defeated the Burmese by killing the Burmese Crown
Prince in single-handed combat on elephant, he commanded
a large pagoda build at this temple to match the high pagoda
at Wat Phukhao Thong. This massive pagoda, in ruinous state
at the present, is visible from a distance.
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This temple is on the corner of Chi Kun Road and Naresuan
Road. A tall pagoda was built by King Ramkesuan in 1384.
A buried treasure chest containing valuables including a
relic of Lord Buddha, several golden Buddha images and many
other objects in gold, ruby and crystal was found during
the excavation in 1956.
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Currently called "Ancient Palace", this residential
palace of every Ayutthayan king is located close to the
city wall. The palace was originally built by King U-Thong.
During the reign of King Borom Trailokkanat and the later
kings, several buildings were added. Most pavilions were
completely destroyed in 1767, leaving only brick foundations,
porticoes and walls. The Tri Muk Pavilion, a wooden structure
with a brick foundation, was rebuilt in its original style
at the command of King Rama V in 1907.
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This is the most important temple within the Royal
Palace compound and the original from which the Temple of
the Emerald Buddha in Bangkok has been copied. Three outstanding
Ceylonese style pagodas were built during the 15th century
to enshrine the ashes of three Ayutthayan kings.
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This temple, south of the town, has no record about its
construction. It had been build before Ayutthaya was founded
as the capital. The principal image called "Phrachao
Phananchoeng" in the wihara was built in 1325. The
golden Buddha image is 19 metres tall, made of trucco in
the attitude of subduing evil. It is most revered by the
inhabitants of Ayutthaya.
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This centre occupies
an area of 14 acres in Amphoe Bang Sai which can be visited
either by road or river. It was established under royal
patronage in 1976. Farmers from rural areas undergo training
in folk arts and crafts here. Visitors will have a glimpse
of various different Thai houses in regional styles and
see how the rural people produce exquisite handicrafts including
fern vien basketry, weaving basketry, artificial flowers,
hand-woven silk and cotton, silk dyeing, wood-carving, miniature
hand-modelled Thai dolls, furniture making, and cloth-made
products.
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King Prasat Thong commanded it to be built outside
the city island on the bank of the Chao Phraya River. Great
beauty has been reflected from the main stupa and its satellite
stupas along the gallery, influenced by Khmer architecture.
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Phra Mongkhon Bophit , a large bronze cast Buddha image
was originally enshrined in the open area outside the Grand
Palace and later covered by a building in the reign of king
Songtham. During the fall of Ayutthaya, the building was
badly destroyed by fire. The one currently seen was reconstructed,
but does not have as beautiful craftmanship as the previous
one. The open area east of the sanctuary was where the royal
cremation ceremonies took place.
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The Support Arts and Craft International Centre of
Thailand (SACICT) is located on the left bank of the Chao Phraya River
at Chang Yai Sub-District, Bang Sai District, next to the Bang Sai Arts
and Crafts Center, on an area of over 18 acres. It comprises 2 main
buildings, Phra Ming Mongkhon Hall, a large three-storey building, as
the display and exhibition center of craft products for export, with a
usable area of 34,340 square meter, and the Marketing Building for
Bang Sai Center Products, with an area of 7,000 square meters, which
was completed in July 2004.
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Khun Phaen House is a Thai-style house that
conforms to descriptions in a popular Thai literary work. Khun Phaen’s
house is located on Pathon Road, Tambon Pratuchai, near
Wihan Phra Mongkhon Bophit, which has a total area of 5 rai, is located
within the area of the Ayutthaya liquor plant adjacent to Chedi Phra Si
Suriyothai.
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Located on Rochana Road, opposite the city wall, this
museum houses various antique bronze Buddha images, famous
carved panels and local artifacts. A receptacle at the Thai
pavilion contains relics of Lord Buddha and objects of art
more than 500 years old. It is open from Wednesdays to Sundays
from 9.00 a.m. - 4.00 p.m.
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Sited next to Ayutthaya Historical Study Centre is
an institute established with the aim of unertaking further study and
research on Ayutthaya's history, its arts and culture, ways of life as
well as local wisdoms.
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This fort that remains almost intact while ruins of
the other forts which had been destroyed are visible around the city
island. This fortress, also known as Phom Phet Pairote, is situated on
a site known as Bangkaja where the Maenam Chao Phraya and the Maenam
Pasak meet to form the south-west corner of the city island. This large
fortress is thought to have been built during the reign of King
Mahathammaracha following the loss of Ayutthaya to the Burmese for the
first time in 1549. The original earthen parapet was strengthened with
brick.
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This temple, which was built Rama V
(Chulalongkorn), looks more like a Gothic Christian church than a Thai
temple. Visitors can access the temple by crossing the river in a small
trolley-like cable car. The crossing is free of charge. There are several nice boat trips departing from Bangkok to Bang Pa-In
Palace, especially through cruise tours. The Palace is open from 9 a.m.
to 3 p.m. daily with an admission fee of 50 bahts. Tel: 035 261004 or
035 2243273 for more details.
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A newly established market worth visiting.
Showcasing Ayutthaya's old way of live, the market's name is derived
from an action of visitors who need to bend down (Gong Khong) when
looking or purchasing the products. A wide range of reasonably priced
local products including fresh and chemical-free vegetables and
fruites, as well as OTOP products, food and desserts are available.
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Located on Rochana Road, this is a national research
institute devoted to the study of Ayutthaya, especially
during the period when it was the capital of Thailand. The
centre also exhibits reconstructions of Ayutthaya from the
past with modern illustrating techniques, and supports an
information service and a library. It is open daily from
9.00 a.m. - 4.00 p.m.
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Thong Road, 6 – 7 kilometres from Phra Nakhon Si
Ayutthaya, the temple covers an area of approximately 15 rai. There is
no evidence as to when it was constructed and by whom. It is believed
to have existed since the Ayothaya period before the establishment of
the Kingdom of Ayutthaya and must have once been abandoned after the
fall of the Kingdom in 1767, before being renovated in the reign of
King Rama I and has resumed a status as a monastic temple ever since.
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