Ayutthaya

29 June 2011 12:02

By Train Trains leave Bangkok Railway Station (Hua Lamphong Rama IV Rd. Tel. 2230710,2230720) daily every hour starting from 06.40 A.M. until 10.00 P.M. By Bus Direct air - conditioned buses leave Bangkok every half an hour from the and the Northern bus terminal on Phaholyothin Road. (Tel. 537-8055-6) starting 05.30 A.M. until 07.20 P.M. And non air-conditioned buses (Tel. 272-5761-5 ext. 117) leave for Bang Pa-In, Bang Sai, and Ayutthaya many times daily from 05.30-19.20 hrs.

TRANSPORTATION IN AYUTTHAYA Mini-buses can be taken from the railway station into the city. Hiring a mini-bus within Ayutthaya costs between 250 and 300 baht/day. For travelling between Ayutthaya and Bang Pa-In, mini-buses regularly leave Chao Prom Market, Chao Prom Road. Starting from 06.30. The fare is about 30 Baht. The trip take fifty minutes.

Transport
Ayutthaya Historical Study Center Located on Rochana Road, this center is a national research institute devoted to the study of Ayutthaya, especially during the period when it was the capital of Thailand. The center is responsible for the museum of the history of Ayutthaya, which exhibits reconstructions from the past. The center also supports an information service and a library containing historical materials about Ayutthaya. The center is open everyday from 09.00-16.30 hrs, official holidays from 09.00-17.00. For more details please contact Tel: (035) 245 -124 (Admission fee: 100 Baht) ----------------------------------------------------------------Chao Sam Phraya National Museum This is on Rochana Road, opposite the city wall. It houses various antique bronze Buddha images and famous carved panels. a receptacle at the Thai pavilion contains relics of lord Buddha and objects of art more that 500 years old. The museum also has a substantial collection of local artifacts. The museum is open everyday except Monday, Tuesday and national holidays from 09.00 -16.00 hrs. (Admission fee: 10 Baht). For more information Tel: (035) 241 587

(prices from 2010) Train from Bangkok From Hualamphong train station in Bangkok it is approximately a 90 minute train journey to Ayutthaya. A one-way ticket ranges from 15 Baht to 66 Baht depending on how much comfort you require (the cheapest seats in 3rd class are hard wooden ones). On arrival at Ayutthaya train station, head out of the main entrance and make the short trip by foot to the pier where a ferry takes passengers across the Pasak River. Most of the main sights and accommodation are located on the other side of the Pasak River. Bus Buses for Ayutthaya depart at regular intervals throughout the day from Bangkoks Northern Bus Terminal at Mo Chit. Depending on traffic and number of stops, journey time can range from 1.5- 2 hours with a fare of between 35-45 Baht. Mini-Van Mini-vans depart from Victory Monument in Bangkok and take approximately an hour to get to Ayutthaya with an average fare of 60 Baht. This is an option if you are travelling light, but be warned that there isnt much room on board for luggage and some of the drivers seem to be in training for a future career in Formula 1 racing. Boat In the absence of a public passenger boat service to Ayutthaya, a number of private companies fill the void by operating tours. A typical day tour from Bangkok involves a cruise to Ayutthaya, lunch, a tour of the main temples and a return trip by road. Transport Within Ayutthaya The main sightseeing area is compact, but in the heat and humidity can be exhausting to walk around. It may be easier to take the option to hire a tuk-tuk or bicycle which can be arranged inexpensively at most hotels and guest houses. Elephant rides are also available with mahouts and elephants dressed in all their finery from days gone by.

----------------------------------------------------------------Khun Phaen House Khun Phaen's Thai - style house conforms to descriptions in a popular Thai literary work. Khun Phaen's House is near Wihan Phra Mongkhon Bophit. ----------------------------------------------------------------FORT AND FORTRESS AROUND THE CITY The forts along the city wall and outer circle fortresses as found in the historical records include Pom Mahachai, Pom Phet, Pom Ho Ratchakhru, Pom Chidkop, Pom Champaphon, Pom Yai, etc. They are mostly situated at waterway intersections. ----------------------------------------------------------------Palace and Buildings There were three palaces in Ayutthaya : Grand Palace, Chankasem Palace or the Front and Wang Lang or the Rear Palace. In addition, there were many other palaces and buildings for royal visits located outside the city area of Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, such as Bang Pa-In Palace at Amphoe Bang Pa-In and Nakhon Luang Buelding at Amphoe Nakhon Luang. ----------------------------------------------------------------Grand Palace Currently called Ancient Palace , the residential palace of every king was located close to the city wall of Ayutthaya. A road passes by from Chankasem Palace, which is two kilometres away to the north. Important buildings inside the Grand Palace compound are : ----------------------------------------------------------------Wihan Somdet Hall The top of this hall has been decorated in a unique style of architecture called Prang. It has longer space in front and rear gabled rooms, and shorter space in the side gabled rooms. It was surrounded with a three-sided cloister and utilized for various royal ceremnoies such as coronations. This was the first building over constructed in Ayutthaya to be affixed with gold leaf. ----------------------------------------------------------------Sandphet Prasat Hall This is the middle buelding construted in the same design as Wihan Somdet Hall. Kings used it to welcome foreign envoys and visitors. -----------------------------------------------------------------

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Suriyat Amarin Hall A four-gabled roof building constructed of sandstone and brick; it is close to the riverside city wall. It was used as a place to witness the royal barge processions. ----------------------------------------------------------------Chakkrawat Phaichayon Hall With a three-gabled roof, it is on the inner eastern city wall in front of the Grand Palace. It was used to view processions and military practice. ----------------------------------------------------------------Trimuk Hall This is located behind the Sanphet Prasat Hall. It is believed to have been the residential area of the consort members and is also the royal relaxing place in the garden. ----------------------------------------------------------------Banyong Rattanat Hall Formerly known by the name of Phra Thinang Thaisa , It is located in the back compound of the Grand Palace on an Island in a pond. It has four-gabled roof architecture. ----------------------------------------------------------------Wat Phra Si Sanphet This important and most outstanding monastery is located in grand palace compound like Wat Phra Si Ratanasatsadaram (Wat Phra Kaeo) of Bangkok. Used as a residential palace, it became a monastery in the reign of King Ramathibodi I. When King Borom Trai Lokanat commanded new living quarters built, this residential palace was given to be a temple area, thus originating Wat Phra Si Sanphet: the royal chapel does not have any monks and novice inhabitants.

----------------------------------------------------------------Wihan Phramongkhon Bophit Phra Mongkhon Bophit, a large bronze cast Buddha image was originally enshrined outside the Grand Palace to the east. King Songtham commanded it to be transferred to the west, where it is currently enshrined and covered with a Mondop. Later in the reign of Phra Chao Sua, the top of the Mondop was burnt down by a fire due to a thunderbolt. Then, the King commanded a new building and the image were badly destroyed by fire, the one currently seen was renovated but does not have as beautifun craftsmanship as the previous ones. The open area east of the Sanctuary (Wihan) was formerly Sanam Luang, where the royal cremation ceremonies took place (This prectice is now held at Sanam Luang, where the royal cremation ceremonies took place (This prectice is now held at Sanam Luang, the Phramain Ground of Bangkok). ----------------------------------------------------------------Wat Phraram This monastery was situated outside the grand palace compound to the east. King Ramesuan commanded it built on ground, where the royal cremation ceremony for his father King U -Thong, took place. A big lagoon is in front of this monastery. its original name was "Nong Sano", it was changed to be "Bung Phraram" or currently Phraram Public Park.

----------------------------------------------------------------Wat Phra Mahathat Located in front of the grand palace to the east near pa than bridge it was constructed in the reign of King Borom Rachathirat I.

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----------------------------------------------------------------Wat Ratchaburana This monastery was located near pa than bridge opposite Wat Mahathat. King Borom Rachathirat II (Chao Sam Phraya) commanded two pagodas built on the ground where Chao Ai and Chao Yi engaged in single hand combat from elephant's back, and both were killed. Later, he established a Wihan combined with the pagodas and upgraded it to be monastery.

----------------------------------------------------------------Suan Somdet Situated on U - Thong Road to the southwest of the city, is a big public park offering various plants referred to in Thai literature and archaeological sites.

History Wat Phu Khao Tong Wat Lakkayaasuttharam Wat Phutthaisawan

Elephant Kraal

Sri Suriyothai Memorial

Wat Maharaat

Wat Ratchaburana

Royal Palace

Viharan Phra MongKol Bophit Bang Pa-In Royal Palace

Wat Phra Ram

Wat Phra Si Sanphet Phomphet Fortress Wat Chaiwattanaram

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