Ayutthaya Province, the ancient old
capital of Thailand, is
only about 71 kilometers from Bangkok. There are many conducted tours which can be
either half a day or full
day trip.
For half-day trip it is more efficient to go by car. It takes
about 1 hour from Bangkok, and if you would like to follow Bangkoksite trip we can
start now.
When
we approach Ayutthaya city
there is a junction with Chedi in the
middle, called Wat Sam Pleum. We
turn left and shortly arrive at Wat
Yai
Chai Mongkol.Just click at the picture.
The next visit is Wat Panan
Choeng.
The attraction is a very large Buddha
image "Luang Po To". This temple is
located on the riverside.
For
Japanese, it is interesting to visit
this Memorial Park once in the old time
used to be a village for Japanese
settlement. There are some souvenir shops, and nice view of the
river.
When
returning to Wat Sam Pleum
circle and continue straight ahead soon
we will arrive at Wat Maheyong. This
temple is interesting and ruins are seen
all over the place. It is under restoration.
After
crossing the railroad and the river
we are coming to Ayutthaya Island. By
turning left and follow U-Thong road, we
arrive at Phet Fortress. Here you can
see nice view of rivers joining together.
Phra Chedi Sisuriyothai
is the memorial to Sondet Phra Srisuriyothai,
the Thai heroine in the Atytthaya period. She was the queen of Somdet
Phra Mahajakrapat, the king of Ayutthaya.
Wat Na Phrameru. This
wat is located
across the river from the old palace.
Monument
of King Naresuan the Great.
It is newly constructed and
completed
by the end of 1999. Nearby is Wat Phu
Khao Thong or the Golden Mount.
Elephant Kraal. This is
the only elephant
kraal left in Thailand.
Wat Phra Si Sanphet, the
royal palace
was located here from the establishment
of Ayutthaya in the reign of King Rama-
thibodi 1(1350 A.D.). Later on a Wat was
built in 1448 A.D. as a monastic area.
Wat Thammikarat is
located in front of
the royal palace of Ayutthaya, and built
before Ayutthaya period.
This Wat
Ratchaburana was built at the
site of the cremation and at the place
where brothers of Chao Sam Phraya
fought and died.
The construction of Wat
Mahathat
was begun during the reign of King
Borommarachathirat 1 in 1374 A.D.
In 1767 A.D. when Ayutthaya was
sacked the Wat was burnt.
Ayutthaya
city is surrounded by 3
rivers. Chao Phraya, Pasak and
Lopburi River. The river tour around
the city is another attraction.
