Thailand Hotels Travel Guides & Hotel Reservations  
Thailand Hotel ReservationsThailand Travel InformationThailand Business DirectoryContact UsFrequently Asked Questions
Travel Guide in Chinese Version
Traditional FestivalsEvent CalendarTips & FactsTravel ArticlesTravel NewsThings to see & do
You are here: Travel Guides > Destination Guides > Ayutthaya > The Historic City of Ayutthaya

Site Search

Search for hotels, rooms, travel guides, etc.
Ayutthaya
History
Trip Planning
Local Festivals
Shopping
Getting There
Getting Around
The Historic City of Ayutthaya
Bang Sai Royal Folk Arts & Crafts Centre
Bang Pa-In Summer Palace
Hotels
Destination Guides
Bangkok
Ayutthaya
Krabi
Koh Samui
Hua Hin/Cha-Am
Mae Hong Son
Phang Nga
Koh Chang Travel Guide
More..
Travel Tips & Facts
General Info
Visas
Customs Regulations
Getting Around Thailand
Some Useful Thai words
Do's and Don'ts in Thailand
More..
Things to See & Do
Culture & Way of Life
Beauty of Nature
Thai Boxing
Massage & Spa
Civilization Sources
Hilltribes
More..

The Historic City of Ayutthaya

Wat Phra Si San Phet & The Ancient Palace

This royal temple was the inspiration for the Emerald Buddha Chapel in Bangkok, and is the focal point of a complex currently called the 'Ancient Palace'. Much like the Grand Palace complex in Bangkok, the 'Ancient Palace' was the traditional residence of Ayutthayan monarchs.  
 

Wat Phra Si San Phet & The Ancient PalaceThe entire complex is dominated by Wat Phra Si San Phet's three towering Ayutthayan-style chedis, and contains several satellite ruins of meeting halls used for state ceremonies, to welcome foreign envoys, to view military parades and royal barge processions, and for leisure. Adjacent to the complex is the Phra Mongkhon Bophit Chapel which houses a massive bronze Buddha image.

 

 

Wat Phra Ram

Wat Phra RamThis temple was constructed during the late 1300s by King Ramesuan to commemorate his father, King Ramathibodi I, who founded Ayutthaya as his new capital in 1350.


 

Wat Ratchaburana

Wat RatchaburanaLocated opposite Wat Mahathat, this temple was built by King Borom Rachathirat II during the 1420s.


 

 

Wat Mahathat

Wat MahathatDating from the late 1300s, this extensive temple was destroyed in 1767. Golden memorabilia from the temple is displayed in the Chao Sam Phraya National Museum.


 

 

Wat Suwandaram Ratchaworawihan

This temple, noteworthy for excellent murals in the main classsic Ayutthayan-style chapel, near the Pom Phet fortress, is a royal monastery of the present Chakri dynasty.

 

Chanthrakasem or Front Palace

Chanthrakasem or Front PalaceThis palace was built as the residence of King Naresuan the Great (reign: 1590-1605). The palace was renovated during the mid 1800s by King Mongkut (Rama IV) to be his residence during occasional visits to Ayutthaya. The palace is now part of the National Museum under the responsibility of the Fine Arts Department. The museum is open every day, except Monday, Tuesday and national holidays, between 9.00 AM and 4.00 PM. Admission: 10 baht.

 

 

Chao Sam Phraya National Museum

Chao Sam Phraya National MuseumThe museum contains many Ayutthayan-style objets d'art, including exquisite golden royal memorabilia excavated from local temples. The museum is open every day, except Monday, Tuesday and national holidays, between 9.00 AM and 4.00 PM. Admission: 10 baht.

 

 

Ayutthaya Historical Study Centre

This centre is a national research institute devoted to the study of medieval Ayutthaya. The centre contains reconstructions from Ayutthaya's historical past, an information service and a library. The centre is open from 9.00 AM until 4.00 PM every day, except Mondays, Tuesdays and national holidays. Admission: 100 baht.

 

Khun Phaen's Residence

Khun Phaen's ResidenceThis teak traditional Thai-style residence, as might have been owned by a wealthy merchant, located near the Phra Mongkhon Bophit Chapel, evokes a bygone era's lifestyle.

 

Wat Phuttaisawan

Wat PhuttaisawanThis riverside temple was constructed in the area where King U-Thong (later crowned King Ramathibodi I) and his followers founded the new capital of Ayutthaya in 1350.

 

 

 

Wat Phananchoeng

Wat PhananchoengThis riverside temple predates Ayutthaya's founding as the Siamese capital in 1350. The principal Buddha image was built in 1325 and is highly revered by local inhabitants.

 

 

 

Wat Yai Chaiyamongkhon

Wat Yai ChaiyamongkhonThis monastery dates from the mid-1300s, The enormous pagoda was built by King Naresuan the Great to celebrate his victory in 1592 over the Burmese Crown Prince in single-handed combat on elephants.

 

 

 

Wat Chaiwattanaram

Wat ChaiwattanaramAnother riverside temple built by King Prasat Thong during the 1600s. The main prang and pagodas remain in good condition.


 

 

Wat Na Phramen

Wat Na PhramenThis temple, still in use today, is the only temple not completely destroyed during the 1767 invasion and destruction of Ayutthaya.

 

 

 

Elephant Kraal

Elephant KraalThis unique teak and brick structure, just beyond Ayutthaya's riverine island, was formerly used to entrap wild elephants herded down from the North..Such occurrences were traditionally presided over by Ayutthayan monarchs, partly because the mighty beasts were vital to Ayutthaya's military strength.

 

 

Wat Phukhao Thong(Golden Mount)

Wat Phukhao Thong(Golden Mount)This temple was constructed in 1387 during the reign of King Ramesuan. 

 

 

 

Related Articles
Civilization Sources
In the past, many prosperous ancient kingdoms were built in Thailand.
 

Hotels in Top Destinations
Bangkok Hotels
Pattaya Hotels
Phuket Hotels
Krabi Hotels
Koh Samui Hotels
Chiang Mai Hotels
Hua Hin/Cha-am Hotels
Travel News
 GENTLY TOUCH WITH MALAYSIAN TRADITION THROUGH THE WONDERFUL WEDDING AT CHIANGMAI INTERNATIONAL HERITAGE 2008 (2008-03-26 11:45:25)
Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board join the “Chiangmai International Heritage festival 2008” during March 7-9, 2008. In the festival, the visitors from nationwide will be in touch with Malaysian’s traditional and culture through the wedding style, national dress, performances of...
 
 TRAVEL SHOW AND TOURISM FESTIVAL IN NORTHEAST THAILAND (2008-03-06 12:25:16)
Thailand’s northeastern province of Udon Thani, home of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is to host a Travel Show and Tourism Festival between 15-17 February, 2008, at Charoensri Grand Royal Hotel and Charoensri Department Store Complex in the provincial capital city...
 
 NATIONWIDE BAN ON SMOKING IN PUBS, CLUBS, TAKES EFFECT (2008-03-06 12:19:18)
Thailand has further extended a national ban on smoking in public areas to include pubs, restaurants, discos and market-places, both open-air and air-conditioned...
 
 NEW THAI TOURISM MINISTER OUTLINES “FUTURE DIRECTIONS" (2008-03-06 12:18:09)
H.E. Mr. Weerasak Kowsurat, the new Thai Minister of Tourism and Sports paid his first visit to the offices of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) this morning for discussions about the future directions of Thai tourism...
 
 Amazing Thailand Grand Sale 2007 (2007-07-06 11:26:31)
Thailand's annual three-month shopping extravaganza from 1 June until 31 August, 2007, offers world-class shopping, a diverse selection of quality products and services.
 
 STATISTICAL UPDATE OF THAI TOURISM SITUATION 2006 (2007-03-23 11:18:51)
The Thai tourism industry is projected to end the year with a total of 13.8 million international visitor arrivals in 2006. Revenue earnings from tourism are now projected at 486 billion baht ...
 
 THAILAND TO BE NEXT HOST OF ASEAN TOURISM FORUM 2008 (2007-03-22 10:54:58)
Thailand fielded the largest sellers contingent at the 26th ASEAN tourism Forum in Singapore and is anticipating a good year ahead in the lead up to hosting the 27th ATF in Bangkok in January 2008 ...
 
 BANGKOK INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL 2007 ANNOUNCES DATES (2007-03-21 15:00:22)
The Bangkok International Film Festival 2007 today announced the dates for this year’s event as during July 19-29. The venue will be the new downtown shopping and lifestyle complex of Central World ...
 
 WHAT'S NEW FOR THAILAND IN 2007 (2007-02-03 11:50:24)
WHAT'S NEW FOR THAILAND IN 2007? CHIC IS THE WORD FOR THAILAND IN 2007 – This year Thailand saw a surge in new boutique offerings to lesser-known resorts such as Ko Yao, Trang, Ko Chang, Racha and Khao Lak ...
 
 FIFTH THAILAND TRAVEL MART TO OPEN SEPTEMBER 26, 2006 (2007-02-03 11:42:39)
The Fifth Annual Thailand Travel Mart 2006 Plus Amazing Gateway to the Mekong Region (TTM+ 2006) is to be held between 26 – 29 September, 2006..
 
 More News..
 
COPYRIGHT© MODERNTHAILAND.COMAbout Us | Booking Conditions | Privacy Policy | Site Security | Link Directory