Ayutthaya

Ayutthaya is located about 55 miles (89 km) north of Bangkok. The site of immense temples and other structures that are important both historically and architecturally, Ayutthaya was added to UNESCO’s World Heritage list in 1991.

History

From historical records, the Historic City of Ayutthaya was one of the biggest cities in the world at the time and a significant political, economic, and religious center. The Siamese Royal Court also maintained detailed documents, many of which were destroyed during the city’s siege, but some of them have survived and served as a crucial source of veracity. The same may be stated for the artifacts from the time, including wall paintings, sculptures, and writings written on palm leaves. The fresco paintings that are still present in Wat Ratchaburana’s crypt are very noteworthy. The property’s value is also influenced by the careful consideration given to the public’s accurate interpretation of the remains for educational purposes.

The second Siamese Kingdom capital, the Historic City of Ayutthaya, was established in 1350. From the 14th to the 18th centuries, when it was thriving, it became one of the biggest and most cosmopolitan cities in the world, as well as a hub for international trade and diplomacy. Three rivers encircled the island on which Ayutthaya was strategically situated, linking the capital to the sea. This location was chosen because it was above the Gulf of Siam’s tidal bore at the time, shielding the city from invasion by other countries’ seagoing vessels. Additionally, the area helped shield the city from recurring flooding.

Ayutthaya, once a significant hub of international diplomacy and trade, is now an archaeological ruin that is characterized by the ruins of tall prang (reliquary towers) and Buddhist monasteries of enormous size, which provide insight into the city’s former size and the magnificence of its architecture.

All of the major buildings in Ayutthaya were surrounded by roads, canals, and moats that were built out in a systematic and exacting grid. The plan made the most of the city’s location in the middle of three rivers and included a hydraulic water management system that was both highly innovative and unheard-of worldwide.

The city was strategically located at the head of the Gulf of Siam, halfway between India and China, and far enough upstream to be safe from Arab and European powers that were growing their influence in the area even as Ayutthaya was itself consolidating and extending its own power to fill the void left by the fall of Angkor. As a result, Ayutthaya developed into a significant hub for trade and commerce on both a regional and international scale, serving as a bridge between the East and the West. The French Court at Versailles, the Mughal Court in Delhi, the imperial courts of Japan and China, as well as other courts around the world, were among those with which the Royal Court of Ayutthaya exchanged ambassadors. When the capital of the rebuilt monarchy was relocated downstream and a new city in Bangkok was constructed, there was a deliberate effort to duplicate the urban design and architectural form of Ayutthaya. The task of constructing the new capital required the recruitment of many of Ayutthaya’s surviving architects and builders. This pattern of urban replication is consistent with the idea of urban planning, which holds that all communities should make an effort to imitate the ideals of the mythical city of Ayodhaya. The word “Ayutthaya” is still included in the official Thai name for Bangkok, which is still used in the title.

Weather

Given that it is the only time of year when the rainfall is remarkably reduced and the atmosphere is perfect, November through January is the finest time to visit Ayutthaya in Thailand. The winter seasons of December and January are often warm and muggy in Ayutthaya.

How to get there 

If travelers desire to enjoy the breathtaking views along the route, it is the best choice to have a day trip by taking a daily scheduled train. Depending on the service you select, trains leaving from Bangkok’s Hualamphong train station will take 80 to 150 minutes to reach Ayutthaya. This is a gorgeous route with a hint of local flavor. The 8:30 am train, which travels to Ayutthaya in 77 minutes, is the day’s quickest train. It is noticeable that the railway station is not near those attractions, so to access the ruins, you can either take a ferry, tuk-tuk (a three-wheeled motorcycle taxi), or rent a motorbike.

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