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Ayutthaya Historical
Study Center
Located on a
national research institute devoted to the study of Ayutthaya,
especially during the period when it was the capital of Thailand. The
center is museum of the history of Ayutthaya, which
exhibits reconstructions from the past. The center an
information service and a library historical materials about
Ayutthaya. The center is open everyday from 09.00-16.30 hrs, official holidays from
09.00-17.00.
Wat Phra Si
Sanphet
This most important outstanding monastery is located in grand
palace compound like Wat Phra Si Ratanasatsadaram (Wat Phra Kaeo)
of Bangkok. It became a monastery in
the reign of King Ramathibodi I. When King Borom Trai Lokanat
commanded new living quarters built, this residential palace was
given to be a temple area, Wat Phra Si Sanphet
the royal chapel does not have any monks and novice inhabitants. |

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Chao Sam Phraya National
Museum
On the Rochana Road opposite the city wall. It
houses various antique bronze Buddha images and famous carved panels. a
receptacle at the Thai pavilion contains relics of lord Buddha and
objects of art more that 500 years old. The museum also has a
substantial collection of local artifacts.The museum is open everyday
except Monday, Tuesday and national holidays from 09.00 -16.00 hrs.
(Admission fee: 10 Baht). For more information Tel: (035) 241 – 587
Wat Phraram
Located in front of the grand palace to the east nere
pa than bridge it was constructed in the reign of King Borom Rachathirat
I.
Suriyat Amarin Hall
A four gabled roof building constructed of sandstone
and brick, it is close to the riverside city wall. It was used as a
place to witness the royal barge processions.
Wihara Phra Mongkhon Bophit
Wihra Mongkhon Bophit is the largest Buddha lmage
in the attitude of subduing. The image was built in the reign
of King Chairacha in 1538 for Wat Chi Chieng. During
the fall of ayutthaya in 1767 Wihara Phra Mongkhon Bophit was Fired. The
right arm and the knot of the Buddha image were broken. In the reign of
King Rama V, Phraya Boranratchathanin restored the broken parts of the
image with mortar and the wihara was built to cover the image in 1956.
Khun Phaen House
Khun Phaens Thai Style house conforms to descriptions
in a popular Thai literary work. Khun Phaens House is near Wihan Phra
Mongkhon Bophit.
Wat Phra Mahathat
Located in front of the grand palace to the east near pa than bridge it
was constructed in the reign of King Borom Rachathirat I. |

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Wat Ratchaburana
Located near pa than bridge opposite Wat Mahathat.
King Borom Rachathirat II (Chao Sam Phraya) commanded two pagodas built
on the ground where Chao Ai and Chao Yi engaged in single hand combat
from elephant's back, and both were killed.
Wihan combined with the pagodas and upgraded it to be monastery.
Suan Somdet
Situated on U Thong Road to the southwest of the city is a big public
park offering various plants referred to in Thai literature and
archaeological sites.
Wat Senasanaram
This ancient monastery named "Wat Sua" is behind Chankasem
Palace. The attraction are two Buddha images, Phra Samphuttha Muni,
Principal image enshrined in the Ubosot, and Phra In Plaeng enshrined in
the Wihan both were transferred from Vientiane.
Wat Suwandaram
Ratchaworawihan
Located to the southwest on
the edge of Pom Phet, an ancient fort.It was called "Wat
Thong". The monastery was
extended and restored several times during the reigns of the Chakri
kings. The mural paintings on the upper part of the inside wall of the
Ubosot depict the gathering of the deities, and on the lower part, the
jataka stories of Wetsandon, Temi, and Suwannasam are described. The front wall shows a picture of the Buddha subduing evil. Within the
Vihara, there is a picture of the bravery of King Naresuan the Great,
which is a masterpiece of several copies found in many places.
Chedi phra Si Suriyothai
Phra Si Suriyothai was the royal consort of Phra
Mahachakkraphat. In 1548, only 7 months after being crowned as king he
was challenged by a Burmese attack under the supervision of Phrachao
Tabeng Chaweti and his warlord, Burengnong. Phra Si Suriyothai,
clad in a warrior's suit, interrupted the fighting with the intention to
provide assistance for her husband. she rode her elephant in the way of
Phrachao Prae, a Burmese commander, and was cut to death by his sword.
after the end of the war, Phra Mahachakkraphat arranged a funeral and
established the cremation site to be a temple named "Wat Sopsawan".
In the reign of King Rama V, there was a quest for the historical sites.The exact location of Wat Sopsawan
was identified with a large indented stupa which was renamed by King
Rama VI as Chedi Phra Si Suriyothai. In 1990, the government assigned
the Fine Arts Department and the National Security Command to restore
the chedi, which had deteriorated over time. These ancient objects were brought to be under the
care of the Chao Sam Phraya National Museum.
Si Suriyothai Park
Located within the area of the Ayutthaya liquor plant adjacent to
Chedi Phra Si Suriyothai. On its total area of 5 rai, there is a common
building, a Somdet Phra Si Suriyothai pavilion, a mound with marble
Semas aged over 400 years where the
fragmented parts of Buddha images taken from Wat Phutthaisawan were
buried, etc. the liquor distillery organization. King Rama IX graciously named
the park "Suan Si Suriyothai" on 25 May, 1989. Then, the park
was conferred to Her Majesty Queen Sirikit on the eve of her 60th
birthday anniversary. The park opens daily for the public from
09.00-17.00 hrs.
Wat Lokkayasutha
Located is over a kilometer behind Wat Suanluangsopsawan adjacent
to Wat Worachettharam. Accessible by the road inside the compound of the
distillery plant, or through the road behind the Phlapphla Trimuk , it is in the area of the ancient palace
passing Wat Woraphot and Wat Worachettharam going to the site of the
large reclining Buddha, approximately 29 meters long. Many large hexagonal pillar ruins near the
image are believed to be the ruins of the Ubosot.
Wat Kasattrathirat Worawihan
Is located outside Ko Munng, opposite Chedi Phra Si Suriyothai, on the
bank of the Chao Phraya river. Its former name was Kasattra or
Kasattraram. It is an ancient temple of the Ayutthaya period with a main
Prang as its center.
Wat
Chaiwatthanaram
Located on the
bank of Chaophraya River, on the west of the city island. King Prasat
Thong commanded it built. The great beauty has been reflected from the
main stupa and its satellite stupas along the gallery, an architecture
influenced by Khmer. Traveling can be made it built. The great beauty
has been reflected from the main is available at 300-400 Bath for a
round trip, consuming about one hour. This is located on the bank of
Chaophraya river on the west of the city island. King Prasat Thong
commanded it built.
Wat
Phutthaisawan
Is situated on the riverbank opposite Ko Muang to the south. Go to
by car along the route Ayutthaya - Sena to the west of Ko Muang. After
passing the bridge in front of Wat Kasattrathirat, turn left to Wat
Chaiwattanaram. Follow the direction signs, you will find a left turn to
Wat Phutthaisawan. This was built in the area where King U-Thong moved
to establish his City. The First known as Wiang Lek, named after the
royal palace of King U-Thong the most Interesting part of Wat
Phutthaisawan is the great principal Buddha image its style is of the
early Ayutthaya period.
Mu Ban Protuket
Portuguese village located in Tambon Samphao Lorn, on the west
bank of the Chao Phraya river and to the south of the city. The
Portuguese were the first Europeans who traveled to trade with the
Ayutthaya kingdom. The Portuguese
governor to Asia, dispatched a diplomatic troupe led by ambassador Mr.Du
Arte Fernandes to Ayutthaya during the reign of King Ramathibodi II.
After that, some Portuguese came to the kingdom for different purposes:
trade, military volunteers in the Ayutthaya army, or on a religious
mission. At the ancient remains of San Petro, a Dominican church,
some antique objects were excavated together with human skeletons such
as tobacco pipes, coins, and accessories for a religious ceremony.
Wat Phukhao Thong
Located two
kilometers northeast of the grand palace, this monastery was constructed
in the year 1387 during the reign of King Ramesuan.
Wat Na Phramen
The monastery was Wat Phra Merurachikaram. Located on the bank of khlong
Sabua opposite the grand palace, the date of construction is unknown.
The Ubosot design is of very old typical Thai style. The most
interesting objects are the principal Buddha image, fully decorated in
regal attire, and another image make of black stone in the small Wihan.
Wat Kudidao
Located in front of the railway station to the east, this old monastery
has beautiful work with better craftsmanship than many other temples,
but it has deteriorated to a high degree.
Wat Samanakot
Located near Wat Kudidao, it was renovated by Chao Phraya Kosa and
Phraya Kosa during the during the reign of King Narai the great. The
main attraction is a large Prang having an unusual outlook different
from the others. It is believed to imitate the design of Chedi Chet Yot
of Chiangmai.
Wat Yai Chaimongkhon or Wat
Chao Phraya Thai
This monastery
constructed in the reign of King U-Thong is located outside the city to
the southeast in the same direction as the railway station one can see
its large pagodas from far away. King Naresuan the great commanded the
pagoda built to celebrate the victory of his single-handed combat on the
elephants back. He also aimed at a huge construction to match the large
pagoda of Wat Phukhao Thong, and named it "Phra Chedi
Chaiyamongkhon".
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Wat Phananchoeng
Located south of Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya has no record as to its
date of construction, or the person cauding its construction. It
existed before Ayutthaya was founded as the capital. The principal
image in the Wihan called "Phrachao Phrachao Phananchoeng"
was built in a.d. 1325, it is made of stucco in the attitude of
subduing evil, it is most revered by the inhabitants of Ayutthaya.
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Japanese Village
This is
located 1.5 kilometers far from Wat Phanancheong in Tambon Ko Rien.
There is an additional building of the Ayutthaya Historical Study Center
where the foreign affairs of Ayutthaya period are on exhibition.
Grand Palace
Currently called "ancient Palace" the residential palace of
every king was located close to the city wall of Ayutthaya. A road
passes by from Chankasem Palace, which it 2 kilometers away to the
north. Important buildings inside the Grand Palace compound.
Wihan Somdet Hall
This hall has been decorated in a unique style of
architecture called Prang. It has longer space in front and rear gabled
rooms, and shorter space in the side gabled rooms. It was surrounded
with a three-sided cloister and utilized for various royal ceremonies
such as coronations. This was the first building over constructed in
Ayutthaya to be affixed with gold leaf.
It has longer space in front and rear gabled rooms, and shorter space in
front and rear gabled rooms, and shorter space tin the
Chakkrawat Phaichayon Hall
With a three - gabled roof, it is on the inner eastern city wall in
front of the Grand Palace. It was used to view processions and military
practice.
Sanpet Prasat Hall
This is the middle building constructed in the same design as Wihan
Somdet Hall. Kings used it to welcome foreign enjoys and visitors.
Banyong Rattanat Hall
Formerly known by the name of "Phra Thinang Thaisa", it is
located in the back compound of the Grand Palace on an Island in a pond.
It has four - gabled roof architecture.
City Wall And Gate
They were newly constructed by the command of King Rama IV. The original
foundation of the city wall has since been found through excavation,
thus revealing that the original area was much more spacious than what
is visit to Ayutthaya.
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Phiman Rattaya Hall
A group of buildings located amidst the compound of the grand palace,
which once served as government offices and the Provincial
Administrative Building for several years.
Phlapphla Chaturamuk
This wooden four - gabled roof pavilion is near the east gate of the
palace. Originally, a residential place of King Mongkut during his visit
to Ayutthaya.
Trimuk Hall
This is located behind the Sanphet Prasat Hall. It is believed to have
been the residential area of the consort members and is also the royal
relaxing place in the garden.
Phisai Sanyalak Hall
This is a four storey high tower located close to the western side of
the Grand Palace. It was originally constructed during the reign of King
Narai the Great, but was destroyed the 2 nd fall of Ayutthaya. It was
reconstructed according to the original foundation in the 4 th reign.
King Rama IV used the Tower to observe the stars.
The palace is now used as a national museum. It has been decorated for
demonstration of antiques such as Chinaware, ancient weapons, King Rama
IV's personal things for daily life, Buddha images, sculptures and
votive tablets of different times. The museum is open everyday from
09.00 - 16.00 hrs. except Monday, Tuesday, and national holidays.
(Admission fee : 30 Baht).
Chankasem or Front Palace
On the bank of Pasak River, this palace was built during the reign of
King Maha Thammaraja, the 17 Ayutthaya monarch, for his son's residence
(King Naresuan). Like other ruins, the palace was destroyed by the
Burmese and left un-repaired for a long time. King Mongkut of the
present Chakri dynasty ordered reconstruction of this palace for use as
a residence during his occasional visits to Ayutthaya. Some of the more
interesting sites are:
Wang Lang or The Rear Palace
This palace if located close to the western city wall of Ayutthaya (in
the vicinity of the present location of the distillery plant of the
Excise Department). It was originally the garden where the king made a
visit from time to time. There was only one residential in the entire
area. King Maha Thammaracha commanded more buildings to be built in the
area to mark it a palace which would be the residence of King
Ekathosarot. Later on, this rear palace was only the residence of royal
family members, so now on one can see the important items.
Elephant Kraal Pavilion
The Pavilion, utilized as the royal seat to witness the elephant round
up, is located 4 kilometers from the city along Highway No.309. The
outlook is a big cage surrounded with logs having, from the front
center, fencing lines of 45 degrees spread out to both sides far away
into the jungle area. Around the kraal itself, is an earthen wall with
bricks to the height of the pillars top. Behind the kraal and opposite
the front fencing line, is the pavilion housing the royal seat. The
Kraal currently seen was renovated in the year 1957.
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Wihan Phramongkhon Bophit
Phra Mongkhon Bophit, a large bronze cast Buddha image was originally
enshrined outside the Grand palace to the east. King Songtham commanded
it to be transferred to the west, where it is currently enshrined and
covered with a Mondop. Later in the reign of Phra Chao Sua, the top of
the Mondop was burnt down by a fire due to a thunderbolt. Then, the King
commanded a new building be built in the form of a big sanctuary (Maha
Wihan) to cover the image in lieu of the image were badly destroyed by
fire, the one currently seen was renovated but does not have as
beautiful craftsmanship as the previous ones. The open area east of the
Sanctuary (Wihan) was formerly Sanam Luang, where the royal cremation
ceremonies took place (This practice is now held at Sanam Luang, the
Phramain Ground of Bangkok)
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