Things to do

Located on the Chao Phraya riverside (the western city wall of Ayutthaya), the Royal Garden called “Suan Luang”. The pavilion in the Suan Luang was restored to be the palace for King Ekathosarot during King Thamaracha reign. Later on, Wang Lang became the residence of Royal families but now we can see only Suriyothai Pagoda.

The City Pillar Shrine (San Luk Muang)

Second Lieutenant Kitti Prathumkaew, the former Ayutthaya governor, had the city pillar shrine built as the spiritual center of Ayutthaya people. The area was landscaped on May 4th, 1982 and the ceremony was held by Mr. Puan – Mrs. Boonruan Makkun and Mr. Pakdi Armikorn from Samutsakhon province on July 1st, 1982. The foundation stone was laid on September 23rd, 1982 at 08.59 – 09.09 a.m.

Khum Khun Phaen (Thai style house)

Khum Khun Phaen consists of five Thai style houses located near of Wihan Phra Mongkol Borphit, facing Sri Sanphet and Patong Road in Pratoochai Sub – district. The name “Khum Khun Phaen” is not related to “Khum Khun Phaen” in Thai literature. It was built for young generations to study Thai style houses (“Ruan Ake”, Ruan Tho, Ho Phra, Ho Nang and Krua Fai)

Suan Somdet Phra Sri Nakarin Ayutthaya

Located in the Historical Park on the ancient city island east of Klong Tho as mentioned in Thai Literature, it is full of the trees, and consists of architectures, buildings and Sala Thai, roads and bridges to build up Thai atmosphere. In addition, there is an area development project for herbs and a historical park in the future.

Chao Sam Phraya National Museum

Located at Pratoochai Sub – district near former Ayutthaya City Hall, across from Rajabhat Institute of Ayutthaya, built in 1959 with the money earned from the Buddha tablets, found in Wat Rachaburana crypt. This Wat was constructed in the reign of Somdet Phra Borom Rachathirat II (Chao Samphraya), so the museum is called Chao Sam Phraya. Their Majesties the King and Queen presided over the opening ceremony in 1961. It is the first museum displayed in modern style in Thailand; the objects shown are uncrowned with color and light in the exhibition and use the principle of light to present.

Ayutthaya Historical Study Center

It is established in accordance with the old project of Thai and Japanese educators, adapted from restoring the area of a Japanese Village to build an Ayutthaya Historical Study Center instead. This center is the national research museum which displays information about the Ayutthaya Kingdom, supported by the Japanese government for 999 million yen on the occasion of the 60th Anniversary of the King’s birthday and for the 100th anniversary of friendship between the Japanese government and the Kingdom of Thailand. The main building of two storeys is located on Rojana Road near the Rajabhat Institute of Ayutthaya, of which an exhibition room is on the second floor, and its sub-center is at Kho Rian which used to be the Japanese Village.

Phra Ram Park

Located at Pratoochai Sub – district, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya district (formally called Nong Sa Noh or Bung Chee Khun, is a small lake before Ayutthaya period), it is full of ancient temples such as Wat Phra Ram; with an area of 274 rai and there are two remarkable sacred places:

• Phra Thinang Yen is in front of Wat Phra Ram in the east, but the one we can see nowadays is a new construction (1956). It was originally the residence of the venerable monk who was the abbot of this temple or might be a pavilion to watch folk – poem singing competition on boats during the rainy season in those days.
• Ayutthaya Maha Prasat is a shrine with three spired roofs connected together. It is located on the twelve – indented base, 0.35 metres high. The structure is made of concrete with iron. The walls are stucco decorated by stain glass and guilt. There is a statue of King Ramathibodi I (King U – Thong) enshrined on the marble pedestal, in which his and five former king’s spirits remained.

Elephant Kaal Pavilion

This pavilion was utilized as the royal seat to witness the wild elephant round up. The elephants were used in both peaceful time and wartime. The pavilion seen nowadays was restored in the reign of King Rama I, King Rama III and King Rama V respectively.

Portuguese Village

Located on the Chao – Phraya riverside to the west of the town in Sampaolom Sub-district, there are three historical ruins: San Paolo, San Domingo and San Predo. It is believed that King Songtham had San Predo, the first church built in Thailand, constructed for the Portuguese Christians.

Japanese Village

It is located in the Kho Rian Sub-district. In the late 16 century, more foreigners came to Thailand to do business. A group of Japanese were allowed to settle down here like other foreigners. Since then more Japanese came to Ayutthaya and had their own leader. Now the Thai – Japanese Association has engraved the village history and made some improvements for tourist attractions and commemoration of two countries.

Wat Phra Si Sanphet

Located in the grand palace compound, it was used as a residential palace since the reign of King Ramathibodi I (Phra Chao U – Thong). In 1448, during the reign of King Borom Trai Lokanath , it was dedicated as the royal chapel. The prominence of this monastery is the three pagodas in which the ashes of three Kings – King Borom Trai Lokanath, King Borom Rachathirat III and King Ramathibodi II, were enshrined.

Wat Phuthaisawan

In 1353, King Ramathibodi I established this monastery on the Chao Phraya Riverside to memorize Wiang Lek where he and his subjects first emigrated because of Asiatic cholera epidemic. Later he crossed the river to establish a new city of Ayutthaya at g Sa noh Sub-district in 1350.

Wat Yai Chaimongkhon

In 1357 after Chao Keow and Chao Thai were cremated, King U – Thong converted Pagoda and Wihara into a monastery named “Wat Pa Keow” for the order of monks who practiced meditation. Then it was called “Wat Chao Phraya Thai” according to the name of Somdej Phrawanarat, who was the patriarch of the monks.

In 1592 when King Naresuan, the Great, defeated his enemy in single combat on an elephant, Somdej Phra Wannarat asked for his forgiveness to the warriors who could not follow him in combat. He also asked the King to build big pagodas at Nongsarai Sub-district in Supanburi and at Wat Pakaew to celebrate his victory to match Phukhao Thong pagoda that was built by King of Burma. This pagoda is about 60 meters high in Ceylonese style named “Phra Chedi Chai Mongkhon”. Normally it is called “Phra Chedi Yai” or Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon now.

Wat Phraram

This monastery was established by King Ramesuan at the cremation site of King Ramathibodi I, his father in 1368. Afterwards it was restored in the reign of King Borom Trai Lokanath and King Boromkote. Its architectural style is of King Boromkote’s time.

Wat Mahathat

It is one of the most historical important monasteries, opposite Wat Rajaburana. According to the chronicle, it was starting to be built in the reign of Phra Borom Rajathirat I (Khun Luang Pha – Ngua) in 1374 and completed in the reign of King Ramesuan. It was built and maintained continuously until the city was destroyed in 1767. There are a lot of ruins showing the beauty and importance of arts such as the Royal Wihara with narrow rectangular holes instead of windows.

Wat Phukhoathong

King Ramesuan commanded that it be built in Phukhaothong field 2 kilometers northeast from the Grand palace in 1387. Then, when the King of Burma defeated the Ayutthaya army, he had a big pagoda built to celebrate his victory in 1569.

In the reign of King Boromkote, it was restored and changed into Thai style. In 1997, it was restored again with modern technology; the old structure was replaced by the metal structure with concrete, equipped with lighting protection system and the water releasing system to protect the flood.

Wat Rachaburana

Located beside Wat Mahathat, it was built during the reign of King Boromrachathirat II (Chao Samphraya) in 1424 at the cremation site of his elder brothers, where Chao Ai and Chao Yi engaged in single – handed combat on elephant’s back (to compete) for the throne, but both were killed. This combat ground is near Pa Than bridge between Wat Mahathat and Wat Ratchaburana .Two pagodas were built there and only foundation stones remain now.

Wat Na Phramen

Phra Ong-In had this monastery constructed in the reign of King Ramathibodi II in 1503. It’s original name was Wat Merurachikaram. In the reign of King Mahachakapadi, he had the pavilion built between Wat Naphramen and Wat Hasadawas, where a truce commitment with King Burengnong took place. The architecture of this monastery is of early Ayutthaya period, of which ordination hall does not have windows but narrow rectangular holes. The principal bronze cast Buddha image was fully decorated in regal attire in attitude of subduing mara, considered the most beautiful. Its gabled roof is gilt teak carved into a picture of Narayana God riding on a Garuda(mythical bird) catching Naga head, surrounded by 26 goddesses. Besides, a sitting Buddha image in Tawarawadi period was enshrined in a small Wihara(Wihan Noi).

Wat Maheyong

This monastery was built in the reign of King Borom Rachatirat (Chao Samphraya) in 1438 in Ceylonese architectural style: a principal pagoda in the bell shape on the foundation surrounded by elephant statues, and the cloisters are also bell shaped. It was firstly restored in the reign of King Tye-sa in 1709 and during the restoration he had a pavilion built outside the wall in order to control the construction. It took more than 3 years to finish it and had a great cerebration for 7 days.

Wihara Pra Mongkhonbophit

Pra Mongkhonbophit is made of brick covered with bronze and gilt. It is assumed it was built in the reign of Somdej Phra Chairacha in 1538, enshrined outdoor at Wat Chichiang. Later on, King Song-Tham had the Buddha image moved to the south-west of Wat Phra Sri Sanphet and covered with Mondopa. Wihara Phra Mongkhonbophit was baddly burnt in 1767, the lotus bud and the right hand of the image were broken down. In the reign of King Rama V Phraya Boranrachthanin, former Ayutthaya governer, restored the image with stucco and gilt. This image, in the attitude of Subduing mara, is one of the biggest Buddha images in Thailand.

Wat Boromputharam

Built in the reign of King Phet Racha during 1688-1703 at the area of Patong (his former homeland), it was decorated with yellow ceramic tiles, so it was called Wat Krabuengklueb. (Yellow ceramic tile monastery)

Wat Chaiwatthanaram

This monastery was built by the royal command of King Prasat Thong as a memorial to his mother land and to cerebrate his coronation in 1630. The existing main Prang surrounded by small ones in 8 directions was influenced by Khmer architectural style.

Wat Khudeedao

The architecture of Wat Kudeedao is similar to the royal monasteries built during the early to the middle Ayutthaya periods. The ceramic lotus pillars in this Wat are similar to the ones found in Phra Si Sanphet monastery built in 1499.

Wat Phananchurng

There is no definite evidence regarding the founder or when the temple was founded. The large Buddha image in the wihara was recorded in chronicle as having been built in 1324. It was formerly known as “Phra Putthachao Phanan Cherng ” until King Rama IV restored the temple and re-named it “Phra Puttha Trairatana Nayok”. The image is a gilded brick and plaster seated Buddha in the attitude of subduing mara.

According to the legend, King Sai Namphung of Ayothaya built the monastery as a memorial to Queen Soi Dogmak, his beloved Queen.

Wat Thamigarat

According to the legend, Phra Ya Thamigarat, King Sai Nam Phung’s son, built Wat Mukarat on his accession to the throne. The name was changed to Wat Thamigarat later. It was assumed to be as old as Wat Phanan Cherng.

There used to be a large beautiful bronze Buddha image enshrined in Wihara Songtham. Now, only the head of the image is kept in the Chao Sam Phraya National Museum. The main pagoda in Ceylonese bell style is surrounded by standing Singha Statures with 13 small pagodas. The declining Buddha image, whose footprint is decorated with colorful glasses, is enshrined in the Wihara Phranon.

Wat Suwan Dararam

Found on the south – west point of the island (near Pomphet fort), it was constructed by the grandfather of King Rama I in Ayutthaya period. Its former name was called “Wat Thong” . After ascending the throne in Bangkok, King Rama I had the monastery restored and renamed it “Wat Suwan Dararam”.

Inside the ubosot, there are mural paintings of celestial beings on the upper part of the wall and the Jataka Stories on the lower part and image portray of the Buddha sub- duing the Mara with Mother Earth as his witness; the rear wall depicts scenes of haven and hell.

The mural paintings have been continuously renovated by Chakri Dynasty so they are still in good condition until now.

Queen Suriyothai Memorial

The Memorial to Somdet Phra Suriyothai was constructed at Toongmakamyong (Makhamyong field) under the royal consideration of Queen Sirikit. The project started in 1988 and finished in 1993 on the occasion of the 60th birthday of her Majesty the Queen and to enhance the prestige of Somdet Phra Suriyothai, the supreme queen of Thai history. The project area consists of Queen Suriyothai Memorial with double size of a human body invented on the island ground and a large reservoir containing 1,209,000 cubic metres of water to accommodate agricultural activities and recreation .

King U – Thong Memorial

Constructed in 1968 – 1970 for the memorial of his royal kindness, King U–Thong, who established Ayutthaya City at Nong – Sa – Noh in 1350. Sites area consists of:

• King Uthong Monument stood with sword in hand, facing to the south of Wat Phra Ram where his ashes are kept. It is located at the former Sanum Luang in front of Wihan Phra Mongkhon Bophit.
• Ayutthaya Maha Prasat was constructed for the spirits where of King U – Thong and the other six famous kings with King U – Thong portrait inside.

King Naresuan Memorial

King Naresuan Memorial is the project instigated under her Majesty Queen Sirikit in order to increase the honor of King Naresuan the Great of Thailand. The construction started in 1993 and finished in 2001. The project consists of King Naresuan the Great seated on the big horseback and a large reservoir that contains 2,050,000 cubic meter of water. Throughout the area, the green tree garden was set up for recreation.