Ayutthaya Historical Park

Ayutthaya province is relatively small at 2,557 sq. km. and iseasily accessible due to good road, rail and river connectionsand its proximity to Bangkok. Straddling the Chao PhrayaRiver, the nation’s principal waterway, the province is extremelyimportant, as it was the Siamese capital for four centuries.The city of Ayutthaya is 76 km. north of Bangkok and boastsnumerous magnificent ruins from its days as the capital. Just tothe south, in perfect condition, stands the royal palace of BangPa-in set in splendid gardens. The province is also noted forH.M. the Queen’s Bang Sai Arts and Crafts Centre.The ancient city of Ayutthaya, formally designated Phra NakhonSi Ayutthaya was the Thai capital for 417 years, and is one ofThailand’s major tourist attractions. Many ancient ruins and artworks can be seen in a city that was founded in 1350 by KingU-Thong when the Thais were forced southwards by northernneighbours. During the period when Ayutthaya was capital,33 kings and several dynasties ruled the kingdom, until theglittering city was sacked by the Burmese in 1767, ruined andabandoned.The extensive ruins and the historical records demonstrate thatAyutthaya was one of Southeast Asia’s most prosperous cities.In recognition of its historical and cultural importance, PhraNakhon Si Ayutthaya Historical Park, the location of the ruinsadjacent to today’s city, was declared a UNESCO World Heritagesite in 1991.of Ayutthaya. Its museum exhibits reconstructions of the city’spast. It has an information service and a library containinghistorical materials about Ayutthaya. Open daily 9.00 a.m.-4.30p.m. official holidays 9.00 a.m.-5.00 p.m. For more information,call 0 3524 5124.

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