About Ayutthaya

Ayutthaya, located 85 kilometers north of Bangkok on the Chao Phraya River, stands as one of the world's most historically significant cities and a UNESCO World Heritage Site recognized in 1991. This ancient capital was founded in 1351 and served as the center of the Siamese Kingdom for 417 years, during which it became one of the largest and most cosmopolitan cities in the world. At its peak in the 17th century, Ayutthaya was comparable in size and prosperity to Paris, London, and Constantinople, thriving as a major international trading port with diplomatic relations spanning Europe, China, and Japan. Today, with a population of approximately 73,000, Ayutthaya preserves the ruins and remnants of this glorious past, offering visitors an unparalleled window into classical Thai civilization and architecture.

The historic city is essentially an open-air museum where the magnificent remains of temples, palaces, and fortifications from centuries past stand amid traditional Thai town life. The distinctive architectural style, known as Ayutthayan, represents a unique synthesis of Thai, Khmer, and other Southeast Asian influences. From the dramatic ruins of Wat Mahathat with its famous Buddha head entwined in tree roots to the partially restored Wat Ratchaburana and the impressive Wat Phra Si Sanphet with its three chedis, every corner of Ayutthaya tells stories of royal grandeur and spiritual devotion. The city's three rivers create a natural island that once housed the royal palace and thousands of temples, making Ayutthaya one of Asia's most concentrated collections of historical and archaeological treasures.