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AMPHOE BANG PA IN
 Bang
Pa-in Summer Palace
A few miles down the Maenam Chao Phraya from Ayutthaya is the
Bang Pa-In Summer Palace. The site was first used by the royal court
as a summer retreat in the 17th century. However, the Palace was
destroyed with the fall of Kingdom of Ayutthaya and was restored
by King Rama IV in the mid-19th century. Most of the buildings that
exist today date from the reign of King Rama V, who regularly spent
his summers there. The structures represent a variety of architectural
styles, set in a large park around ponds and waterways. The only
royal residence open to the public is the Chiness-style Wehat Chamroon
Palace, constructed entirely of materials imported from China. In
addition, there is an Italian-style palace, a circular pavilion
with steps leading down to a pool, the graceful Thai-style Aisawan
Tippaya Asna Pavilion in the middle of a lake, and, across one of
the waterways, a Buddhist chapel in the neo-Gothic style with stained-glass
windows. Scattered around the extensive gardens are European statues
as well as monuments ordered to be built by King Rama V in memory
of members of his family, one of them a much-loved Queen who drowned
in a boating accident.
Places of interest in the Bang Pa-in Palace are as follows:-
Phra Thinang Utthayan Phumisathian
This is a 2-story elaborately constructed building, which is
tinted alternately in dark and light green, located to the east,
opposite the pond. Its balcony is similar in design to that of a
Swiss chalet. Before being destroyed by fire during the restoration
in 1938, the whole building was built from wood and decorated with
mahogany furniture ordered directly from Europe.
Wat Niwet Thamaprawat
This temple, which was built Rama V (Chulalongkorn), looks more
like a Gothic Christian church than a Thai temple. Visitors can
access the temple by crossing the river in a small trolley-like
cable car. The crossing is free of charge.
There are several nice boat trips departing from Bangkok to Bang
Pa-In Palace, especially through cruise tours. The Palace is open
from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily with an admission fee of 50 bahts. Tel:
035 261004 or 035 2243273 for more details.
AMPHOE BANG SAI
Bang Sai Royal Folk Arts and Craft Centre
The Royal Folk Arts and Crafts Centre, which covers an area of 285
rai of land (or 14 acres), is a place where visitors can see the
activities of farmers in the 4 regions of Thailand. In addition
to being an important training center for craftspeople, there are
interesting products on sale such as fern basketry, wickerwork basketry,
artificial flowers, hand-woven silk and cotton, silk production
and etc. The Royal Folk Arts and Crafts Centre is open daily except
Mondays from 8.30 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. Admission fee is 20 bahts. Call
035-366092, 02-2258265 (st1:City w:st="on">Bangkok)
for additional information.
The Support Arts and Craft International Centre of Thailand
(SACICT)
The Support Arts and Craft International Centre of Thailand
(SACICT) is located on the left bank of the Chao Phraya River at
Chang Yai Sub-District, Bang Sai District, next to the Bang Sai
Arts and Crafts Center, on an area of over 18 acres. It comprises
2 main buildings, Phra Ming Mongkhon Hall, a large three-storey
building, as the display and exhibition center of craft products
for export, with a usable area of 34,340 square meter, and the Marketing
Building for Bang Sai Center Products, with an area of 7,000 square
meters, which was completed in July 2004.
The Ministry of Commerce presented the Support Arts and Crafts
International Centre of Thailand (public Organization) as a tribute
to Her Majesty Queen Sirikit of Thailand, at the special function
entitled Support Atrs and Crafts International Centre of Thailand
paying tribute to the Great Queen of Siam on the Auspicious 72nd
Birthday Anniversary held during August 2004.
Within SACICT, the exhibition are on the 1st floor is where prime
craft products selected from 76 rovinces all over the country are
put on display in the revolving exhibits changed every 3 months.
Products that are of extraordinary beauty are permanently displayed
in the Hall of Fame to be appraised by tourists and the general
public on a wide scale. Also, craft products of the Bang Sai Folk
Arts and Crafts Center which won prizes at an international level
are on display.
Moreover, there is the Support shop, as the outlet of craft products
made by trainees at the Bang Sai Folk Arts and Crafts Center, and
from other Support Centres around the country, 22 in number. There
is also the OTOP shop, where OTOP goods from all over the country
are on sale.
The 3rd floor of SACICT serves as the area for trade negotiations,
where craft products are marketed and distributed to the market
on a wide scale.
AMPHOE NAKHON LUANG
Prasat Nakhon Luang
This ruin of the royal residence for summer retreats is on the east
bank of the st1:place w:st="on">Pasak River. It was
used by various Kings of Ayutthaya as a temporary camp en route
a visit to the Lord Buddha's Footprint in Saraburi or a trip to
Lopburi. Prince Damrong surmised that this residence was built during
the reign of King Song Tham when the Footprint was discovered. The
original building was later strengthened with brick and plaster
during the reign King Prasat Thong. According to the royal annals,
King Prasat Thong sent artists to Khmer in 1631 to copy the plan
of a Khmer prasat from the capital city of Angkor Thom, hence the
name Phra Nakhon Luang. However, only a simplified version of the
original prasat was constructed and is currently a part of a temple
where the monks help to keep the building in a state of good repair.o:p>
AMPHOE PHRA NAKHON SI AYUTTHAYA
Ancient Forts and Fortresses
There are many forts along the city wall and fortresses around the
outer circle. Most of them are situated at waterway intersections.
Ayutthaya Historical Park
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Ayutthaya's historic temples are
scattered throughout this once magnificent city and along the encircling
rivers. Several of the more central ruins Wat Phra Si Sanphet, Wat
Mongkhon Bophit, Wat Na Phra Meru, Wat Thammikarat, Wat Ratburana
and Wat Phra Mahathat can be visited on foot.
It is possible to add more temples and ruins to travel itineraries
by touring the city on a rented bicycle. An ideal combination of
modes of transportation for visitors interested in seeing everything
would be to hire a bicycle for the central temples and charter a
long-tail boat to take a tour of the outlying ruins along the river.
Ayutthaya Historical Park is situated opposite the Chao Sam Phraya
National Museum. The main attraction in the historical park is Viharn
Phramongkol Bophit which houses one of the largest bronze Buddha
images in Thailand.
Ayutthaya Historical Study Centre
This compound is located on Rochana Road and is a National Research
Institute devoted to the study of Ayutthaya, especially the period
when it was the capital of Thailand. The Centre is responsible for
the Museum of the History of Ayutthaya, which exhibits reconstructions
from the past. In addition, the Centre provides information services
and has a library containing historical materials about Ayutthaya.
The Centre opens daily from 9.00 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. On official
holidays service hours are from 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. For more
information, please contact Tel: 0 3524 5124 (Admission fee is 100
Bahts)
Chankasem or Front Palace National Museum
Chankasem Palace was built during the reign of King Maha Thammaraja,
the 17th King of the Kingdom of Ayutthaya. During the reign of King
Naresuan the Great the Palace became his permanent residence. Chankasem
Palace, like the other palaces, was destroyed during the Burmese
invasion. It has been renovated and reopened as a museum open to
the public on Wednesdays through Sundays from 9.00 a.m. to 4.00
p.m.
Chao Sam Phraya National Museum
This museum is perfect for history buffs who admire fine arts and
handicraft of the Ayutthaya period. Housed in the museum are various
original antiques, mostly made of gold and decorated with precious
jewels. In addition, there are various antique bronze Buddha images
and famous carved panels. Of note is a receptacle in the Thai Pavilion
that contains relics of the Lord Buddha and other objects of art
that are over 500 years old.
The museum which is located on Rochana Road, opposite the city
wall is open daily, except Mondays, Tuesdays and national holidays,
from 09.00 a.m. until 4.00 p.m. (Admission fee is 10 Bahts). For
more information, call: 0 3524 1587 
Chedi Phra Si Suriyothai
This pagoda is situated at the original site of the Rear Palace,
in the west of the city. It is a memorial to Somdet Phra Suriyothai,
who was the royal consort of Phra Mahachakkaraphat and the first
heroine in Thai history. When the Burmese army intruded in 1548,
Somdet Phra Suriyothai, clad in a warrior's suit, interrupted the
fighting between the King and Phrachao Prae of Burma and was cut
to death. Her death saved Ayutthaya from another attack from the
Burmese.
Elephant Kraal Pavilion
The Pavilion, utilized as the royal seat to witness the elephant
round up, is situated north of the city island. In the past wild
elephants would be trained here to become war or transport animals.
It is thought that in the Ayutthaya period the stockade was inside
the city wall, but this one was built later and was used up until
the Bangkok period. In the middle of the stockade is a shrine where
the elephant guardian is supposed to reside. Posts made of whole
timbers form the fence where elephants were tied up during the training.
An elephant round-up was demonstrated here in 1890, during the reign
of King Rama V, for the benefit of the Tsarevitch, who later became
Nicholas II of Russia, during his visit to Siam.
Japanese Village
This ancient site is located 1.5 kilometres south of the Wat
Phananchoeng in Tambon Ko Rein. There is an additional building
of the Ayutthaya Historical Study Centre, where the foreign affairs
of the Ayutthaya Period are on exhibition.
Khun Phan House
Khun Phan House is a Thai-style house that conforms to descriptions
in a popular Thai literary work. Khun Phan's house is near Wihan
Phra Mongkhon Bophit.Si Suriyothai Park, which has a total area
of 5 rai, is located within the area of the Ayutthaya liquor plant
adjacent to Chedi Phra Si Suriyothai. Within the area is a common
building, a Somdet Phra Si Suriyothai pavilion, a mound with marble
Semas (boundary stones of a temple) aged over 400 years where the
fragmented parts of Buddha images taken from Wat Phutthaisawan were
buried, etc. The Liquor Distillery Organization, who sponsored the
construction of the park, wished to devote all good deeds in transforming
the former inner part of the royal compound to all of the late kings
who used to live here. King Rama IX graciously named the park Suan
Si Suriyothai on 25 May, 1989 and conferred the park to Her Majesty
Queen Sirikit on the eve of her 60th anniversary. The park is open
daily to the public from 9.00 a.m. until 5.00 p.m.
Phom Phet (The Diamond Fort)
This fort that remains almost intact while ruins of the other
forts which had been destroyed are visible around the city island.
This fortress, also known as Phom Phet Pairote, is situated on a
site known as Bangkaja where the Maenam Chao Phraya and the Maenam
Pasak meet to form the south-west corner of the city island. This
large fortress is thought to have been built during the reign of
King Mahathammaracha following the loss of Ayutthaya to the Burmese
for the first time in 1549. The original earthen parapet was strengthened
with brick.
Portuguese Village
This village is located in Tambon Samphao Lom, on the west bank
of the Maenam Chao Phraya to the south of the city. The Portuguese
were the first Europeans to arrive at Ayutthaya in 1151. Antique
objects, tobacco pipes, coins and accessories for religious ceremonies
have been found at the site.
Royal Palace
The Royal Palace of Ayutthaya, which is now known as the Old
Palace, is situated next to the northern section of the city wall.
King Borom Trailokanath turned the palace, which was built in 1350
by King U-Thong, the first sovereign of the kingdom, into a monastery
(Wat Phra Si Sanpet) in 1448 when he declared the three grand wooden
prasats built by King U-Thong as a phuttawat or religious zone.
King Borom Trailokanath then extended the palace grounds further
north towards the Lopburi River, which was then used as the city's
moat. Several halls have been built since then. Places of interest
in the Royal Palace are as follows:-
Sanphet Prasat Hall
King Borom Trailokanath built this hall which was used as a
reception hall for foreign visitors as a sister to the Benjarat
Maha Prasat Hall. This prasat-style hall had long porticoes both
at the front and the back, with shorter ones on the sides and a
small Mondop situated on a mini balcony on the front portico. Tin
sheets covered the roof and bralee or small spikes decorated its
ridges. In addition, there was a tall spire on top of the roof.
On both sides of this hall were stables that housed the white elephants.
When Ayutthaya fell to the Burmese the hall was burnt down and only
its brick and mortar foundations survives.
King Rama IV, desirous of honoring the Kings of Ayutthaya, sent
a team of officials from Bangkok to built a small prasat on the
foundation of Sanphet Prasat Hall and planned to install a plaque
inscribed with the names of all Ayutthaya's kings. However, he died
before the construction was completed. In 1907 King Rama V had the
unfinished prasat pulled down and built a ceremonial pavilion instead.
Chakawat Paichayon Hall
King Prasat Thong built this prasat-style hall in 1632 on the
inside wall of the palace towards the east. In this hall the king
received an envoy sent by the Burmese King to protest King Prasat
Thong's proposal to reform the calendar. During the Bangkok period,
King Rama I built a pavilion on top of the outer-wall of the palace
in the same manner and it was used to view the processions or the
military exercises.
Trimuk Hall
This building, which is believed to be the garden house inside
the inner court, is located behind Sanphet Prasat Hall but its date
of construction is unknown. The name was first mentioned in the
reign of King Borom Rachathirat II in 1427 when it was destroyed
by fire. It is believed that the original hall was a wooden structure
built on top of a plain foundation and the floor was covered with
terracotta slabs.
It was a long twin building similar to Sanphet Prasat Hall. The
original foundation is still visible.
When King Rama V celebrated the 40th anniversary of his coronation
in 1907 he had wooden models of various Ayutthayan halls built on
top of the original sites and one of which was built on top of the
foundation of Trimuk Hall. In addition, when King Rama VI and King
Rama VII ascended to the throne they conducted religious rites in
honor of the former Kings in Trimuk Hall and in 1953, the Fine Arts
Department renovated the Hall.
St. Joseph's Church
St. Joseph's Church was built during the reign of King Narai
in 1666 as a result of a request from the missionaries headed by
Bishop Lambert de la Motte a missionary who wished to build a church
and a mission school. The original wooden church was rebuilt in
bricks and mortar in the European style between 1685 and 1695. During
the second Burmese attack, the Siamese used the church as a shelter
which led to its being destroyed on 23 March 1767. In 1831 Father
Pallegoix came to Siam and took care of the restoration work on
the church. The restoration was completed in 1847. More additions
in the 12th century Romanesque style were made during the tenure
of Father Perros during the reign of King Rama V. The church is
a place of continuous Catholic worship in Thailand for over 300
years.
Suan Somdet
This is a public park situated on U-Thong Road to the southwest
of the city. The area, full of plants referred to in Thai literature,
houses many archaeological ruins.
 Wat
Chaiwatthanaram
Located on the bank of the Maenam Chao Phraya, to the west of
the city island is Wat Chaiwatthanaram. Built in 1630 by King Prasat
Thong to honor his mother, Wat Chai Wattanaram was conceived as
a replica of the Angkor temple. A Royal monastery, the temples unique
feature is a huge prang which is surrounded by smaller prangs. This
symbolizes Mount Meru, the abode of the heavenly gods. Now restored,
the temple is also accessible by a long-tailed boat trip from Chankasem
Palace Pier. This 1-hour trip to the temple costs approximately
300-400 bahts (round-trip). Entry fee to the temple itself is 20
bahts.
Wat Kasattrathirat Worawihan
Located outside the city island, opposite Chedi Phra Si Suriyothai,
on the bank of the Chao Phraya River is another interesting temple
worth visiting. Formerly known as Kasattra or Kasattraram, the ancient
temple is of the Ayutthaya period with a main Prang (stupa) at its
centre.
Wat Kudidao
Located to the east in front of the railway station, this old
monastery was beautifully constructed with better craftsmanship
than many other temples as can be seen from the remaining ruins
which have been left deteriorate.
Wat Lokkayasutha
This monastery 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 (three-gabled roof pavilion), the monastery is
in the area of the Ancient Palace. Proceed past Wat Woraphot and
Wat Worachettharam until reaching the open-air site of the large
reclining Buddha, which is made of brick and covered with plaster,
is approximately 29 meters long. The ruins of large hexagonal pillars
near the image are believed to be the ruins of the Ubosot.
Wat Na Phra Men
Formerly known as Wat Phra Merurachikaram, the temple is located
across the river north of the palace. Although the date of construction
is unknown, the temple has been restored a number of times but still
has a finely proportioned ubosot and viharn. The latter contains
a large Dvaravati stone Buddha seated in European style, his hands
on his knees, which some scholars think originated in Nakhon Pathom.
The Ubosot design is very old in the typical Thai style. The most
interesting object is the principal Buddha image, which is fully
decorated in regal attire. The most interesting fact attributed
to the image is that it escaped destruction when the Burmese were
burning everything down. It was from the grounds of this temple
that the Burmese King Chao Along Phaya decided to fire a cannon
at the Grand Palace.
Admission to the temple which is just over the bridge near Si Sanphet
Road is 10 bahts.
Wat Phanan Choeng
Overlooking the river on the opposite bank from the main city,
Wat Phanan Choeng was founded shortly before the establishment of
Ayutthaya as the Kingdoms capital. Its main building enshrines a
huge, seated Buddha image, that is 57 feet tall an object of particular
devotion to Thais of Chinese origin. This principal image called
Phrachao Phananchoeng was built of stucco in the attitude of subduing
evil in 1325. The temple is a popular stopover for riverboat cruises
along the Maenam Chao Phraya. This temple can be reached by boat
from the fortress ruins.
Wat Phra Mahathat and Wat Ratburana
Wat Mahathat is located in front of the Grand Palace to the
east, next to Pa Than Bridge. The temple is believed to be one of
Ayutthaya's oldest temples, possibly built by King Boromaraja I
(1370-88). Its central prang, of which only the base remains, once
rose to a height of 165 feet. Traces of the original stucco decorations
can still be seen on some of the surrounding chedis.
Wat Ratburana
King Borom Rachathirat II (Chao Sam Phraya) built a temple on
the site where his two elder brothers were cremated. His two brothers
died in a power struggle to succeed their father, King Nakhon In
who died in 1424. A series of bell-shaped chedis surround the main
prang and a large oblong-shaped viharn is situated at the front.
The architectural style evolved from the Khmer prasat, but has been
adapted by the addition of a higher multi-layered base and an extended
upper section. More corners were added to the main body and the
tower section was extended to become corn-shaped. The antefixes,
on the other hand, were attached to the body of the tower instead
of leaving a decent gap between them which was common in Khmer prasats.
These two temples are separated by Naresuan Road. The Admission
fee for each site is 20 bahts.
Wat Phra Ram
Though founded in 1369, the ruins of Wat Phra Ram date mostly
from its restoration in the 15th century. Its main feature is a
well-proportioned prang situated on a stepped terrace adorned with
chedis. Some of the prang's stucco decorations, including Buddha
images in the walking and standing poses, still remain
 Wat
Phra Si Sanphet
In 1491, Wat Phra Si Sanphet was located inside the compound
of the Grand Palace-the foundations of which are still visible-and
served as the royal chapel, as Wat Phra Kaeo does in Bangkok. This
Wang Lung Palace (Royal Palace) was built by King U-Thong upon the
founding of the city. Used as a residential palace, it became a
monastery in the reign of King Ramathibodi I. When King Borom Trai
Lokanat commanded the construction of new living quarters, this
residential palace was transformed into a temple,and the establishment
of Wat Phra Si Sanphet. In Ayutthaya's heyday, this was the largest
temple in the city.
The three main chedis which have been restored contain the ashes
of three Ayutthaya kings. The temple is situated at the northern
end of Si Sanphet Road. The royal chapel does not have any monks
and novice inhabitants. Admission fee is 20bahts.
Wat Phu Khao Thong
The Phu Khao Thong chedi is situated about two kilometres northwest
of the city island. It was built by King Ramesuan in 1387. Burengnong,
the Burmese king, built three layers of the large superimposed base
in the Burmese style after he seized Ayutthaya in 1569 and named
it Phu Khao Thong. The main body of the Thai-style chedi was built
later.
King Borom Kot carried out renovations during his reign in 1744
and changed its appearance into a 12- cornered chedi. Only the lowest
part retains its original Mon style. According to the records, a
canal was dug from Wat Phu Khao Thong by a former monk of the temple
to keep the Burmese army out when Ayutthaya was under Burmese attack
in 1548. The moat which connects a canal with the main river is
still in evidence and is called Mahanak canal in honor of the former
monk.
However, after Ayutthaya fell to the Burmese in 1767 the whole
place was burned down. The Thai Government, under Premier Pibulsongkram,
renovated the shrine again approximately 40 years ago.
Wat Phutthaisawan
This monastery is located to the south of the river bank opposite
the city island. Constructed in the area where King U-Thong and
his subjects first migrated in order to establish the new town,
it was formerly known as "Wiang Lek" named after the royal
palace of King U-Thong. The most distinctive feature of this temple
is the great principal Buddha image cast in the early Ayutthaya
style.
Wat Samanakot
Located near Wat Kudidao, this temple was renovated by Chao
Phraya Kosa (Lek) and Phraya Kosa (Pan) during the reign of King
Narai the Great. The main attraction is a large and unusual prang
believed to be an imitation of the design of Chedi Chet Yot of Chiang
Mai.
Wat Sensanaram
This ancient temple, which is located behind Chankasem Palace
houses two Buddha images that were transferred from Vientiane.
Wat Suan Luang Sopsawan
King Maha Chakkraphat commanded the construction of this monastery
on the west of the city which is the old military regiment area
in the royal garden compound adjacent to the original area of Wat
Sopsawan after the royal cremation of Queen Suriyothai. Her body
was kept for the religious ceremonies in the Royal Garden (Suan
Luang) Hall and was cremated there on the grounds.
Today, it is possible to visit a large pagoda called "Chedi
Phra Si Suriyothai" that was built on the location of the crematorium.
Wat Suwandararam Ratchaworawihan
The main attractions of this temple, which is located on U-Thong
Road, southeast of the city, are the paintings. The mural paintings
in the Ubosot depict the gathering deities and jataka stories, while
the murals on the front wall show a picture of the Lord Buddha subduing
evil. Within the Viharn, is a picture depicting the bravery of King
Naresuan the Great, which is a masterpiece with several copies found
in many other places.
 Wat
Yai Chai Mongkhon
Located to the Southeast of the island, this temples lofty chedi
is visible from most of the town. The monastery was built in 1900
by King U-thong who granted the temple with the name Wat Pa Kaew.
The intention was to create a center of Buddhist studies (Ceylonese
Sect). As the temple used to be headed by a patriarch, local people
also called it Wat Chao Phraya Thai.
The present name was given granted to the temple by King Naresuan
to commemorate a battle fought against the Crown Prince of Burma
in 1592. His momentous victory a single-handed combat on the elephant
back brought independence to Ayutthaya after 15 years as a Burmese
dependent. Within the complex is a huge image of a reclining Buddha
in brick and stucco. The chedi is bell-shaped, about 60 meters high,
constructed on a mound of raised ground (15 X 32.4 X 32.4 m.) with
steps going up to the Buddhist image placed midway to the top. The
chedi itself now has a distinct tilt, but still can be entered via
the stairs.
The Ubosot or ordination hall is windowless but ventilated by pierced
holes stretching down the roof on both walls. Also situated in the
compound is King Naresuans statue, which is highly revered by Thais.
Admission fee is 20 bahts.
Wihan Phra Mongkhon Bophit
This chapel is located to the south of Wat Phra Si Sanphet.
A large bronze seated Buddha image (Phra Mongkhon Bophit) was originally
enshrined outside the Grand Palace to the east. It could be dated
to the 15th century and was originally intended to stand in the
open air. Later, King Songtham commanded it to be transferred to
the west, where it is currently enshrined and covered with a Mondop.
In the reign of Phra Chao Sua, the top of the Mondop was burnt down
by a fire due to a thunderbolt. The King then commanded that a new
building be built in the form of a big sanctuary (Maha Wihan) to
cover the image in lieu of the former Mondop. During the second
fall of Ayutthaya, the building and the image were badly destroyed
by fire. The present Viharn and Buddha image have been reconstructed
and renovated. The open area located east of the Viharn was formerly
Sanam Luang, where royal cremation ceremonies took place.
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