When you are traveling to Thailand you should try to visit the archaeological site of Ayutthaya. In the this article we give you a short history of the city and kingdom of Ayutthaya. Read more about the things to see at Ayutthaya Historical Park. Explore the park by renting a bicycle. Or go on foot. Check out our Beginners Travel Guide to Thailand or other Thailand related articles at In the world’s jungle Travel Blog.  

Short history

The capital of Siam (former name of Thailand) was Ayutthaya between 1350 and 1767. The city is located 90km north of Bangkok. The city was known as the richest city in the world in the 16^th and 17^th century. Merchants and visitors were amazed by the grandeur, wealth and splendour. The city was popular with Europeans and became an important trade centre in Asia. The Royal Court of Ayutthaya exchanged ambassadors with the Mughal Court in Delhi, the French Court at Versailles and Japan.

The Thai Prince U Thong founded Ayutthaya in 1350. He proclaimed the city as capital city of his kingdom. The official name of the city was Phra Nakhom Sri Ayutthaya, which means the Holy City of Ayutthaya. The name refers to the capital city of Rama (a divinity of Hinduism) from the Indian epos Ramayana. The city ones had 400 temples and three major palaces. Ayutthaya was surrounded by a 12km stone wall. The city is positioned in the midst of three rivers, the Chaophraya, the Pa Sak and the Lopburi. The rivers gave the city an important advantage when it comes to transport and water supply.

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Burmese invasion

The Ayutthaya Kingdom ended in 1767 with the Burmese invasion. The Burmese completely destroyed the city of Ayutthaya. Many artifacts were destroyed by fires or were taken by the Burmese. The precious golden Buddha statues were popular and often taken to Burma. The large scale of the destruction resulted in the end of the Ayutthaya Kingdom. The Siamese managed to save a few artifacts and were transported to Thonburi, which is now known as Bangkok.

Phra Nakhon Sri Ayutthaya Historic Park

The most interesting place to visit in Ayutthaya is Phra Nakhon Sri Ayutthaya Historical Park. Since 1991 the historical park is listed as UNESCO World Heritage site. The remains of the city are characterized by the prangs and ruins of major monasteries and palaces. It gives you an idea about the grandeur and splendour of the old city. The area of the historical park is around 289 ha.

Ayutthaya was a remarkable city if you look into urban planning. The city was structured following a systematic planning grid including roads and canals around the building lay-out. They used the advantage of the surrounding rivers and they created a hydraulic system for water management. The hydraulic system was an impressive and advanced use of technologically in that time period.

Chao Sam Phraya National Museum

The Chao Sam Phraya museum has a collection of artefacts found in the ruins of Ayutthaya. The sculptures found are made in the distinctive Ayutthaya style. The style is difficult to define and different compared to the Sukhothai period. The sculptures and images found are mostly made of stone, bronze and terracotta. The most striking sculpture is a large bronze head of the Buddha. They found it at Wat Thammikarat. The museum is displaying wood carvings and gold & silver artefacts found in the crypt of Wat Ratburana.  

Wat Phra Ram

Wat Phra Ram is located 500 meters north of the national museum. The temple dates back to the 14^th century and was renewed a century later. In the centre of the temple is a prang and it’s decorated with small chedi’s. Parts of the original decoration are still in intact, such as the Garuda, naga and Buddha’s. On the other side of the temple is a green park with a lake, Bung Phra Ram. In the lake are three islands with ruins of several chedi’s.

Wat Mahathat

On the northeast side of the lake is Wat Mahathat. Researchers assume the temple is built in 1384 by King Ramesuan. He expanded the site and built a large temple. He visited this temple when he was a monk between his throne offices. The original prang was 46 meters high but collapsed. Two centuries later the prang was rebuilt to its present height of 50 meters. The Fine Arts Department found several treasures; a relic of the Buddha, golden images of the Buddha and other valuable objects made of ruby, gold and crystal. These artefacts are displayed at the National Museum in Bangkok. The strangest thing to see at Ayutthaya historical park is a head sculpture of the Buddha overgrown by tree roots. It’s probably the most photographed image of Ayutthaya.

Wat Ratchaburana

Opposite of Wat Mahathat is Wat Ratchaburana. The temple and prang was built in 1424 by the seventh king of Ayutthaya, King Borommarachathirat II. The temple is dedicated in memory of his two older brothers. They fought in a dual for the royal succession and both died. Their ashes are in the twin-chedi. In 1958 archaeologists found valuable artefacts in the temple such as crown jewels, jewelry and images of the Buddha. These objects are displayed at the Chao Sam Phraya National Museum. The prang’s crypt is accessible by stairs and you can see multiple faded frescoes.

Wat Phra Si Sanphet

Other interesting things to see at Ayutthaya Historical Park are the largest temple Wat Phra Si Sanphet and chedi’s. The Royal temple is built in 1448 and is restored twice. King Rama Thibodi II commissioned a 16 meter high image of the Buddha. The sculptures weight was around 170 kg and it was covered with a thick layer of gold. The sculpture was set on fire by the Burmese to melt off the gold layer. Unfortunately the sculpture and the temple was destroyed by the fire. Today three large chedi’s remain. They were built in the 18^th century to preserve the ashes of three kings. The chedi’s were renovated in 1956 and they have the typical Ayutthaya architecture style.

Chantharakasem National Museum

The original palace was constructed in 1577 by King Naresuan and also destroyed by the Burmese in 1767. In the 19^th century King Rama IV commissioned to rebuilt the palace. The palace became a museum in 1936. It houses personal possessions of Rama IV such as sculptures of the Buddha and Buddhist relics.

In the world’s jungle

Go on a virtual tour and admire the temples in Chiang Mai. I can personally recommend visiting Sukhothai National park when you are travelling in Thailand. Read other articles about travelling in Asia. Go and explore the jungles of Borneo, such as Bako and Niah National Parks or go deeper into the jungle and visit Mulu National park.

Are you searching for practical travel info? Read articles about how to set up a travel budget, how to plan a long term trip or download your personal packing list.

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