Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya

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Central Region

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Activities Guide

	Sea Zone >> - Beaches - Islands - Marine National Park - Scuba Diving
	Highland Zone >> - National Park - Waterfall - Fauna & Flora
	Artifact Zone >> - Historical Site - Palace - Temple
	Adventure Zone >> - Elephant Riding - Water Sport - Kayaking / Canoeing - Cruising - Rock Climbing - Goft
	Attraction Zone >> - Night Life - Theme Parks - Zoo
	Shopping >> - Weekend Market - Shopping Street - Local Products

Season Guide

	1. January 2. February 3. March 4. April 5. May
	6. June 7. July 8. August 9. September 10. October
	11. November 12. December

Wat Phra Sri Sanphet
The royal palace was located here from the establishment of Ayutthaya in the reign of King Ramathibodi I (1350 A.D.) to the rign of King Sam Phraya (1448 A.D.). Later King Borommatrailokanat ordered a wat to be build on this site in 1448 A.D. to be used as a monastic area.

Wat Chaiwatthanaram
Wat Chaiwatthanaram, one of the most imposing ancient Buddhist monasteries, was established by the command of King Prasatthong in 1630 A.D.. It is believed that the wat is located on the site of his former home. The reason for his building this monastery was to make merit for his mother. Prince Damrong Rachanuphap noted that its architecture was similar to that of Angkor Wat and infered that the wat might have been built to commemorate the king's victory over Cambodia.

Wat Mahathat
The construction of Wat Mahathat was begun during the reign of King Borommarachathirat I in 1374 A.D. but was completed during the reign of King Ramesuan (1388-1395 A.D.). When King Songtham (1610-1628 A.D.) was in power the main prang collapsed. The restoration work on the prang was probably completed in the reign of King Prasatthong (1630-1655 A.D.) Duing the restoration the height of the prang was considerably increased.

Phra Mongkhonbophit
In the early Ayutthaya period there was no place specially used for cremations. When a King died an area would be chosen for that royal ritual. After the ceremonies had been performed the location where the cremation took place became the site of a monastery; for example. Wat Phra Ram is located where King U Thong was cremated. Only as of the reign of King Songtham is there evidence of a specific area having been reserved for this purpose.

Wat Ratchaburana
In 1424 A.D. King Intharachathirat passed away. His two sons, Chao Aye Phraya who reigned over Suphanburi, and Chao Yi Phraya who reigned over Sanburi, met in battle as each desired the throne. This took place at the approach to the Pa-Than bridge and ended with the death of both sons. A third son, Chao Sam Phraya came down from Phitsanulok and acceded to the throne where upon he declared his intention to organize a funeral for his father and his two brothers. Afterwards he ordered the building of a wat, namely Wat Ratchaburana, at the site of the cremation and at the place where his brothers fought and died he had two chedis created in which to keep their ashes.

Ayutthaya Historical Study Centre
This compound is located on Rochana Road and is a National Research Institute devoted to the study of Ayutthaya,

Wat Phra Ram
Though founded in 1369, the ruins of Wat Phra Ram date mostly from its restoration in the 15th century.

Wat Ratburana
Wat RatburanaKing Borom Rachathirat II (Chao Sam Phraya) built a temple on the site where his two elder brothers were cremated.

Chankasem or Front Palace National Museum
Chankasem Palace was built during the reign of King Maha Thammaraja, the 17th King of the Kingdom of Ayutthaya.

Chedi Phra Si Suriyothai
This pagoda is situated at the original site of the Rear Palace, in the west of the city.

Wat Lokkayasutha
This monastery is over a kilometer behind Wat Suanluangsopsawan adjacent to Wat Worachettharam.

Wat Phutthaisawan
This monastery is located to the south of the river bank opposite the city island. Constructed in the area where King U-Thong and his subjects first migrated in order to establish the new town,

Portuguese Village
This village is located in Tambon Samphao Lom, on the west bank of the Maenam Chao Phraya to the south of the city.

Elephant Kraal Pavilion
The Pavilion, utilized as the royal seat to witness the elephant round up, is situated north of the city island. In the past wild elephants would be trained here to become war or transport animals.

Bang Pa-in Summer Palace
A few miles down the Maenam Chao Phraya from Ayutthaya is the Bang Pa-In Summer Palace.