Ayutthaya Thailand | Ayutthaya Hotel

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Ayutthaya Thailand | Ayutthaya Hotel | Ayutthaya Temples

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Thailand’s capital from 1350 to 1767, Ayutthaya is the nation’s best-known historical site. Burmese invaders made a thorough job to sacking the original city and the surviving ruins are scattered around an uninspiring modern provincial centre 80km north of Bangkok.

The ancient, venerable capital of the Kingdom of Siam, Ayutthaya, had a population of 150,000 during its heyday and was the equal of any city in Europe. It was at the epicenter of an empire that controlled more than 500,000 sq km and all the wealth of the great kingdom gravitated to the capital city. These days a large portion of the city is a busting modern Thai conurbation with little to remind the visitor of its halcyon days – in typical Thai fashion traffic is heavy and city planning chaotic. Amid this entire concrete are several ancient sites and you may find yourself walking past them without even realizing they are there.

If you head west of this urban setting you will soon begin to pick up more traces of the old city of Ayutthaya, until it open up into a series of broad open spaces littered with atmospheric ruins, Arrive when the setting sun illuminates the deep red-brick ruins and it is not hard to imagine the grandeur of this place which so amazed early European visitors. Here is a stunning complex of palaces, shrines, monasteries and chedis. The historical park, which was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991, covers some 3 sq km. Rama V (186801910) was first person to appreciate the value of the site, both in terms of Thailand’s national identity and in terms of its artistic merit. The historic city of Lopburi, known for its kleptomaniac monkeys, lies to the north.

Major Monuments

Wat Phra Sri Sanphet Ayutthaya

Wat Phra Sri Sanphet: The royal temple within the compound of the now vanished king’s palace originally built in 1448 and restored at least twice. Once of Ayutthaya’s most famous ruins, it is distinguished by a row of three finely restored Ayutthaya-style chedis.

Viharn Phra Mongkok Bopit: Close to Wat Phra Sri Sanphet, this modern building enshrines one of the largest bronze Buddha images in Thailand.

Wat Phra Ram: Southeast of Wat Phra Sri Sanphet, this temple is easily identified by its large central prang. It was built in 1369 by King Ramesuen, Ayutthaya’s second king, on the cremation site of his father, King U Thong.

Wat Mahathat: Across the lake east of Wat Phra Ram, this was once an extensive temple complex first built in 1374, although now it is in ruins. The impressive prang seen today was originally twice its present height.

Wat Rachaburana: Directly north of Wat Mahathat, the first fine temple, in a comparatively good state of preservation, was built in 1424 by King Borommaracha II on the cremation site of his two elder brothers, who killed each other in a struggle for the throne. The crypt of the prang was excavated in 1957, revealing traces of mural paintings and a collection of golf objects and jewellery now in the Chao Sam Phraya National Museum.

Wat Na Phra Mane: Opposite the royal palace on the north side of the Lop Buri rive, this is Ayutthaya’s best preserved temple. The bot is a good example of early Ayutthaya architectural style and enshrines a 6m (19ft) bronze Buddha image in royal attire, typical of late Ayutthaya sculpture. Of note in the viharn is a Dvaravati stone Buddha image seated in ‘European’ fashion with hands on knees.

Wat Yai Chai Mongkol: Across the Pasak River in a southeasterly direction, this temple was originally built in 1357 but is most distinguished for its chedi, constructed to commemorate King Naresuan’s victory in single-handed combat on elephant-back over the Crown Prince of Burma in 1592.

Wat Phanan Choeng: West of Wat Yai Chai Mongkol, close to the rive bank, the temple is believed to predate the founding of Ayutthaya by some 26 years, since its revered 19m (62ft) image of the seated Buddha dates from 1324.

Phu Khao Thong: On open ground 2km northwest of the city, this monument rises imposingly above the flat countryside. The chedi was originally built by Burmese in 1569 to mark their first conquest of Ayutthaya, but the present structure dates from 1745.

Bang Pa-In

Open Daily 08:30 – 15:30. On the Banks of the Chao Phraya river 20km downstream from Ayutthaya is the royal summer palace of Bang Pa-In.Although the site dates back to the Ayutthaya period, the present buildings were constructed in the late 19^th and early 20^th centuries. The complex is attractively laid-out and displays a surprising variety of architectural styles, including Thai, Chinese, Italian and Victorian. Bang Pa-In is included on virtually all organized tours to Ayutthaya; alternatively, it can be reach by minibus from town.

Hotel Booking Ayutthaya

HOTEL DETAILS		RATES
	Ayothaya Hotel Average hotel with OK rooms and pool. Reasonable price. 12 Moo 4, Tessabarn Sai 2 Rd., Muang, Ayuthaya 13000 Thailand Downtown Traveler Review : (0 from 5)	Start Rate : 780 THB
	Ayutthaya Garden River Home 54 M00 7 Bangkrasun, Bang Pa-In, Ayutthaya 13160 Bang Pa-In Traveler Review : (0 from 5)	Start Rate : 2,785 THB
	Ayutthaya Grand Hotel 55/29 Rojana Rd., Thanu, D.Uthai, Ayutthaya 13000 Thailand Downtown Traveler Review : (0 from 5)	Start Rate : 1,053 THB
	Kantary Hotel Ayutthaya 168 Moo1, Rojana Road, Tanu, U-Thai, Ayutthaya 13000 Downtown Traveler Review : (0 from 5)	Start Rate : 1,638 THB
	Krungsri River Hotel This-nine storey hotel has a nice location on the river and is one of the better so-called up-market options. 27/2 Moo 11, Rojchana Road. Kamang, Ayutthaya 13000 Thailand Downtown Traveler Review : (0 from 5)	Start Rate : 1,521 THB
	River View Place Hotel Originally designed as a condominuum the well-appointed rooms are massive, all with balconies and kitchenettes.Most come with views over the river to Wat Phanan Choeng and beyong. Nice terrace, swimming pool, reasonable food and good quiet location make this the best hotel in the old city though service, while friendly, is soporific at best. Recommended. 35/5, Horatanachai, U-Thong Rd.,Ayuthaya 13000 Thailand Downtown Traveler Review : (0 from 5)	Start Rate : 1,404 THB
	The Lima Place Hotel 139 Moo 2, Bankao, Ayutthaya Thailand 13000 Downtown Traveler Review : (0 from 5)	Start Rate : 450 THB
	U-Thong Inn, Executive Hotel & Conference Center Inconvenient location 2km or so east of town, but a strikingly attractive 100-room hotel, primarily aimed at the business market. Some a/c. Japaese restaurant and pool 210 Moo 5, Pailing, Rojana Rd., Pranakorn Si Ayutthaya, Ayutthaya 13000 Thailand Downtown Traveler Review : (0 from 5)	Start Rate : 1,080 THB
	Woraburi Ayothaya Convention Resort Ayutthaya's latest newcomer has eight floors of rooms with a touch of Bangkok sophistication. Most rooms get a bear-hug view of the river. 89 Moo 11, Watkluay Road, Kamang, Pranakornsriayuthaya, Ayuthaya 13000 Downtown Traveler Review : (0 from 5)	Start Rate : 1,287 THB