BLOG#8 PRANAKORN SRI AYUTTHAYA

PRANAKORN SRI AYUTTHAYA

      The Historic City of Ayutthaya, founded in 1350, was the second capital of the Siamese Kingdom.  It flourished from the 14th to the 18th centuries, during which time it grew to be one of the world’s largest and most cosmopolitan urban areas and a center of global diplomacy and commerce. Ayutthaya was strategically located on an island surrounded by three rivers connecting the city to the sea. This site was chosen because it was located above the tidal bore of the Gulf of Siam as it existed at that time, thus preventing attack of the city by the sea-going warships of other nations. The location also helped to protect the city from seasonal flooding.

      The ancient city of Ayutthaya, or Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, The Thai capital for 417 years, is one of Thailand's major tourist attractions. Many ancient ruins and art works can be seen in a city that was founded in 1350 by King U-Thong when the Thais were forced southwards by northern neighbours. During the period of Ayutthaya being the Thai capital, 33 Kings of different dynasties ruled the kingdom until it was sacked by the Burmese in 1767.

      Ayutthaya is 76 kilometers north of Bangkok and boasts numerous magnificent ruins. Such ruins indicate that Ayutthaya was one of Indo - China's most prosperous cities. Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya a Historical Park, a vast stretch of historical site in the heart of Ayutthaya city, has been included in UNESCO's list of world heritage since 13 December, 1991.

Ayutthaya covers 2,556 square kilometers, and is administratively divided into 16 districts (Amphoes). It is conveniently accessible due to good roads and a short distance from Bangkok.

      You can see and do an activity in Pranakorn Sri Ayutthaya:

Wat Phra Sri Sanphet  The royal palace was located here from the establishment of Ayutthaya in the reign of King Ramathibodi I (1350 A.D.) to the rign of King Sam Phraya (1448 A.D.). Later King Borommatrailokanat ordered a wat to be build on this site in 1448 A.D. to be used as a monastic area.

Wat Chaiwatthanaram Wat Chaiwatthanaram, one of the most imposing ancient Buddhist monasteries, was established by the command of King Prasatthong in 1630 A.D.. It is believed that the wat is located on the site of his former home. The reason for his building this monastery was to make merit for his mother. Prince Damrong Rachanuphap noted that its architecture was similar to that of Angkor Wat and infered that the wat might have been built to commemorate the king's victory over Cambodia.

Wat Mahathat  The construction of Wat Mahathat was begun during the reign of King Borommarachathirat I in 1374 A.D. but was completed during the reign of King Ramesuan (1388-1395 A.D.). When King Songtham (1610-1628 A.D.) was in power the main prang collapsed. The restoration work on the prang was probably completed in the reign of King Prasatthong (1630-1655 A.D.) Duing the restoration the height of the prang was considerably increased.

Phra Mongkhonbophit  In the early Ayutthaya period there was no place specially used for cremations. When a King died an area would be chosen for that royal ritual. After the ceremonies had been performed the location where the cremation took place became the site of a monastery; for example. Wat Phra Ram is located where King U Thong was cremated. Only as of the reign of King Songtham is there evidence of a specific area having been reserved for this purpose.