Attractions2

	[ 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) [ 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. [ 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 [ 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. [ 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. [ 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. [ 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. [ Wat Senasanaram ] This ancient monastery named "Wat Sua" is behind Chankasem Palace. The main attractions are two Buddha images: Phra Samphuttha Muni, the principal image enshrined in the Ubosot, and Phra In Plaeng enshrined in the Wihan; both were transferred from Vientiane. [ Wat Suwandaram Ratchaworawihan ] is the monastery within the royal compound, located to the southwest on the edge of Pom Phet, an ancient fort. First, it was called "Wat Thong". Established in the Ayutthaya period, the monastery was extended and restored several times during the reigns of the Chakri kings. The mural paintings on the upper part of the inside wall of the Ubosot depict the gathering of the deities, and on the lower part, the jataka stories of Wetsandon, Temi, and Suwannasam are described. The front wall shows a picture of the Buddha subduing evil. Within the Vihara, there is a picture of the bravery of King Naresuan the Great, which is a masterpiece of several copies found in many places. [ Chedi Phra Si Suriyothai ] The memorial for the first heroine in Thai history, is located in Ko Muang to the west. Among various places of interest within the Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Historical Park, this ancient place is of much importance as a proof of honor that ancient Thai society gave to Thai women. Phra Si Suriyothai was the royal consort of Phra Mahachakkraphat. In 1548, only 7 months after being crowned as king he was challenged by a Burmese attack under the supervision of Phrachao Tabeng Chaweti and his warlord, Burengnong. The Burmese army intruded into the kingdom through the Three Pagoda Pass in Kanchanaburi and came to set up military camps around the royal compound. During the fighting on elephant back, Phra Mahachakkaraphat faced danger. Phra Si Suriyothai, clad in a warrior's suit, interrupted the fighting with the intention to provide assistance for her husband. she rode her elephant in the way of Phrachao Prae, a Burmese commander, and was cut to death by his sword. after the end of the war, Phra Mahachakkraphat arranged a funeral and established the cremation site to be a temple named "Wat Sopsawan". In the reign of King Rama V, there was a quest for the historical sites as mentioned in the royal chronicle. The exact location of Wat Sopsawan was identified with a large indented stupa which was renamed by King Rama VI as Chedi Phra Si Suriyothai. In 1990, the government assigned the Fine Arts Department and the National Security Command to restore the chedi, which had deteriorated over time. Fortunately, on 20 May 1990, some antique objects were found such as a white rock crystal Buddha image in the posture of subduing Mara, a chedi replica, and a golden reliquary. These ancient objects were brought to be under the care of the Chao Sam Phraya National Museum. [ Si Suriyothai Park ] Is located within the area of the Ayutthaya liquor plant adjacent to Chedi Phra Si Suriyothai. On its total area of 5 rai, there 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 devoted all good deeds in transforming the former inner part of the royal compound to all of the late kings who used to live here before. King Rama IX graciously named the park "Suan Si Suriyothai" on 25 May, 1989. Then, the park was conferred to Her Majesty Queen Sirikit on the eve of her 60th birthday anniversary. The park opens daily for the public from 09.00-17.00 hrs. [ 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), it is in the area of the ancient palace passing Wat Woraphot and Wat Worachettharam going to the site of the large reclining Buddha, made of brick and covered with plaster, approximately 29 meters long. Many large hexagonal pillar ruins near the image are believed to be the ruins of the Ubosot. [ Wat Kasattrathirat Worawihan ] Is the monastery located outside Ko Muang, opposite Chedi Phra Si Suriyothai, on the bank of the Chao Phraya river. Its former name was Kasattra or Kasattraram. It is an ancient temple of the Ayutthaya period with a main Prang (stupa) as its center. [ Wat Chaiwatthanaram ] Another monastery that is located on the bank of Chaophraya River, on the west of the city island. King Prasat Thong commanded it built. The great beauty has been reflected from the main stupa and its satellite stupas along the gallery, an architecture influenced by Khmer. Traveling can be made by river form Chankasem Palace. A long-tailed boat service is available at 300-400 Baht for a round trip, consuming about one hour. [ Wat Phutthaisawan ] Is the monastery situated on the riverbank opposite Ko Muang to the south. Travel by car along the route Ayutthaya - Sena to the west of Ko Muang. After passing the bridge in front of Wat Kasattrathirat, turn left to Wat Chaiwattanaram. Follow the direction signs, you will find a left turn to Wat Phutthaisawan. This monastery was built in the area where King U-Thong moved to establish his city. The area was first known as Wiang Lek, named after the royal palace of King U-Thong the most interesting part of Wat Phutthaisawan is the great principal Buddha image; its style is of the early Ayutthaya period. [ Mu Ban Protuket ] is the Portuguese village located in Tambon Samphao Lorn, on the west bank of the Chao Phraya river and to the south of the city. The Portuguese were the first Europeans who traveled to trade with the Ayutthaya kingdom. In 1511, Al Fonco De Al Buquerq, the Portuguese governor to Asia, dispatched a diplomatic troupe led by ambassador Mr.Du Arte Fernandes to Ayutthaya during the reign of King Ramathibodi II. After that, some Portuguese came to the kingdom for different purposes: trade, military volunteers in the Ayutthaya army, or on a religious mission. They built a church as the center of their community and to serve religious purposes. Presently, some traces of former construction have been found at the village site. At the ancient remains of San Petro, a Dominican church, some antique objects were excavated together with human skeletons such as tobacco pipes, coins, and accessories for a religious ceremony. [ Wat Phukhao Thong ] Located two kilometers northeast of the grand palace, this monastery was constructed in the year 1387 during the reign of King Ramesuan. [ Wat Na Phramen ] The former name of this monastery was Wat Phra Merurachikaram. Located on the bank of Khlong Sabua opposite the grand palace, the date of construction is unknown. The Ubosot design is of very old typical Thai style. The most interesting objects are the principal Buddha image, fully decorated in regal attire, and another image make of black stone in the small Wihan. [ Wat Kudidao ] Located in front of the railway station to the east, this old monastery has beautiful work with better craftsmanship than many other temples, but it has deteriorated to a high degree. [ Wat Samanakot ] Located near Wat Kudidao, it 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 Prang having an unusual outlook different from the others. It is believed to imitate the design of Chedi Chet Yot of Chiangmai. [ Wat Yai Chaimongkhon or Wat Chao Phraya Thai ] This monastery constructed in the reign of King U-Thong is located outside the city to the southeast in the same direction as the railway station; one can see its large pagodas from far away. King Naresuan the great commanded the pagoda built to celebrate the victory of his single-handed combat on the elephant's back. he also aimed at a huge construction to match the large pagoda of Wat Phukhao Thong, and named it "Phra Chedi Chaiyamongkhon". [ Wat Phananchoeng ] this monastery located south of Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya has no record as to its date of construction , or the person causing its construction. It existed before Ayutthaya was founded as the capital. The principal image in the Wihan called "Phrachao Phananchoeng" was built in a.d. 1325; it is made of stucco in the attitude of subduing evil; considered beautiful, it is most revered by the inhabitants of Ayutthaya. [ Japanese Village ] This is located 1.5 kilometers far from Wat Phanancheong in Tambon Ko Rien. There is an additional building of the Ayutthaya Historical Study Center, where the foreign affairs of Ayutthaya period are on exhibition.