Ayutthaya is 72 kilometers north of Bangkok and boasts numerous magnificent ruins. Such ruins indicate that Ayutthaya was one of Indo-China's most prosperous cities.

Principal Ruins and Places of Interest

Vihara Phra Mongkon Bopit
The principal Buddha image is one of Thailand's largest bronze images. Many small Buddha images were also discovered. The Vihara was destroyed when the Burmese sacked Ayutthaya in 1767 and was rebuilt in 1965 in tis original style.

Ancient Palace
This was originally built by King U-Thong. During the reign of King Barom Trailokkanat and later kings, several new buildings were added, including Wat Phra Si Sanphet. Notable buildings are Vihara Somder Pavilion, Sanphet Prasat Pavilion, Suriyat Amarin Pavilion, Chakkrawat Phaichayon Pavilion (No.9 no the map). Banyon Ratanat Pavilion and The Tri Muk Building. These pavilions were com;letely destroyed in 1767, leaving only brick foundations, porticoes and walls. The Tri Muk Building, a wooedn structrue with a brick foundation, was rebuilt in its original style at the command of King Chulalongkorn in 1907.

Khun Phaen House
Khun Phaen's Thai-style house conforms to descriptions in popular thai literary work. Khun Phaen's house is near Vihara Phra Mongkon Bopit.

Wat Na Phramen
This recently-restored temple is situated opposite the Ancient Palace and is an important 13th century temple. 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.

The Chao Sam Phraya National Museum
This is on Rojana Road, opposite the city wall. It houses various antique bronze Buddha images and famous carved panels and different kings of Buddhist alters. A receptacle at the Thai Pavilion contains relics of Lord Buddha and objects of art more than 500 years old. The museum also has a substantial collection of local artifacts.

The museum is open everyday except Monday and Tuesday and National Holidays from 9.00 a.m.-4.00 p.m.

Ayutthaya Historical Study Centre
This centre is located on Rochana Road. It is national research institute devoted to the study of Ayutthaya, especially during the period when Ayutthaya was the capital of thailand. The Centre is responsible for the Museum of the history of Ayutthaya, which exhibits reconstructions from Ayutthaya's past. The centre also supports an information service, and a library containing historical materials about ayutthaya.

The Centre is open everyday, Monday-Friday from 9.00a.m.-3.00 p.m. ,Satuaday and Sunday from 9.00 a.m.-4.30 p.m.

Wat Phra Maha That
This Temple is on the corner of Chee Kun Road and Naresuan Road. It was built by King Ramesuan in 1384. The major construction was the high Pagoda, or prang, which was destroyed by Burmese invaders. When the government undertook to restore all Autthaya ruins in 1956, the Fine Arts Department excavated the pagoda and found a buried treasure chest containing many valuables. Among objects discovered were a relic of Lord Bhddha, Placed inside a golden casket, serveral golden Buddha images in different sizes, and many other objects in gold, ruby and crystal. These are now housed in Bangkok's National Museum.

Wat Ratburana
This temple is situated opposite the Maha That temple and should be considered its twin. It is the most important Temple built by King Boromraja II, The seventh Ayutthayan King, at his brother's cremation site, During restoration in 1958, many ancient valuables were found, including Royal Regalia made of gold and jewels, rare and antique jewel and gold pieces of superb craftsmanship, and golden Buddha images.

Chedi Phu Khao Thong
This temple is generally called "Golden Mount Pagoda". It is some 80 meters high and it located on Ayutthaya's northern outskirts. Purportedly, this pagoda was built in Mon (Burmese) style by King Burengnong of Burma to commemorate Burmese vicory during the 1569 invasion a Ayutthaya. When Ayutthaya. When Ayutthaya's independence was restored by King Naresuan in 1584, the pagoda was remodelled in Thai style, In 1965, the government placed a golden ball, weighing 2,500 grammes, on top og the pagoda to celebrate the Buddhist religion's 25th century.

The elephant Kraal
The Kraal, locally called"Paniad", was used for the capture of wild elephants in ancient times. It is a spacious enclosre made of massive teak logs. Behind the Kraal is the pavilion housing the royal seat. The last capture of elephants in the Kraal occured in May 1903, during King Chulalongkorn's reign, as a demonstration for royal guests.

Wat Yai Cahi Mongkon
This temple is also called "Wat Chao Phraya Thai". It is located a few minutes outside of Ayuthaya. It was built by King U-Thong in 1357 for meditation. In 1592, when King Naresuan defeated Burmese by killing the Burmese crown Prince in single-handed combat on elephants, he constructed the temple's large pagoda to match the high pagoda at Chdi Phu Khao thong which had purportedly been built by the Burmese. This massive pagoda, in ruinous state at the present, is visible from a great distance.

Wat Suwandaram
This is a chakri dynasty royal temple, an Ayutthaya period temple which had been beautifully restored and preserved. The walls of the main chaple have foundations that dip in the centre, typical architecture of that time. Dilicately carved columns support the roof. Inside walls are decorated with brilliantly coloued frescose. It remains in use as a temple today.

Chankasem Palace
This place was built during the reign of King Maha Thammaraja, the 17th Ayutthaya monarch, for his son's residence (King Naresuan). Like other ruins, the palace was destroyed by the Burmese and left unrepaired for a long time. King Mongkut of the present Chakri dynasty ordered reconstruuction of this palace for use as a residence during his occasional visits to Ayutthaya.

Wat Phra Si Aanphet
This is the most important temple within the Royal Palace compoun and corresponds to The Emerald Buddha Temple in Bangkok's Grand Palace. In 1500 a 16-meters high standing buddha was cast by King Ramathipodi II. The image was covered with gold weiging some 170 kilogrammes. In 1767, the Burmese set fire to the image to melt off the gold, completely destroying the image and the temple.

Nearby are three ceylonese-style chedis built druing the 15th century to enshrine the ashes of three Ayutthayan kings. Thses were renovated in 1956.