Today, Ayutthaya is a modern city attracting a number of tourists. It is located some 85 km north of Bangkok. Plenty of options are available for you as far as accommodation and dining is concerned.
Ayutthaya is one of the first destinations visited by Buddhist tourists to Thailand. Once a Buddhist kingdom, the place today houses the ruins of once magnificent temples. There are also museums that display Buddhist relics and parks that exhibit Buddha statues.
Buddhist Attractions
Temples
- Wat Phra Si Sanphet : The largest temple in Ayutthaya, Wat
Phra Si Sanphet is noted for its row of chedis or Thai-style stupas. The
temple is located within the grounds of the former royal palace and was
made use of only during royal religious ceremonies. The temple once had
a hugely attractive 16-meter tall image of Buddha covered with 340 kg of
gold. However, the Burmese burnt the statue so as to melt the gold and
in process also ruined the temple. Entrance fee to this temple is 30
baht.
- Viharn Phra Mongkol Bopitah : Standing next to Wat Phra Si
Sanphet is Viharn Phra Mongkol Bopitah preserving the large bronze cast
Buddha image. There is no entry fee charged in this temple.
- Wat Thammikarat : Located on the U-Thong Road, Wat
Thammikarat is still functional. Look out for the ruins of a large chedi
(pagoda) and a huge vihara which has a large tree growing beautifully
out of the side of one wall. Also to be seen inside are the chapl which
used to enshrine a huge bronze Buddha image (now exhibited at the Chao
Sam Phraya National Museum), an Ordination Hall and a hall preserving a
reclining Buddha image.
- Wat Ratchaburana : This temple is located on the Naresuan
Road and was constructed in 1420s to hold the ashes of the older
brothers of king King Boromracha II who died fighting with each other.
The temple was ruined by a fire in 1967 but the remanants are still
worthvisiting. Two unrestored rooms with original paintings on the walls
on the make for a good visit.
- Wat Phra Mahathat : Also on the Naresuan Road, Wat Phra
Mahathat was ruined by the Burmese invasion. However, the rows of
headless Buddhas are still worthseeing. Here, you can also see the tree
that has grown around a Buddha head. Entry fee for this temple is 30
baht.
- Wat Phra Ram : Situated on Sri Sanphet Road, this temple is
mostly in ruins. Entry charges here is 30 baht. On the terrace of the
temple, you can see a number of ruins of the Buddha statues.
- Wat Phu Khao Thong : This temple is situated around 3 km
from the town and is still functional. Here, an image of smiling fat
Buddha can be seen in the ruins of a small vihara.
- Wat Cheung Tha : This temple is 1 km away from the town and
has ruins of viharas housing some images of Buddha.
- Wat Nah Phra Meru : Lying to the eats of the of the Wat
Cheung Tha, this temple is home to the biggest bronze Buddha image in
Ayutthaya, cast dressed in full royal regalia. The image can be seen in
a viharas set in well maintained grounds. Remains of 3 chedis, out of
which one has a huge bodhi tree growing out from the top, are also
worthseeing here.
- Wat Phanancherng : Around 1.5 km out of the town, on the
Bang Pa-in Road, is a functional temple which consists of the oldest
large cast bronze Buddha image in Ayutthaya. Also to be visited in this
temple is a small room to the right of the main hall which houses a
commendable collection of Buddha images.
- Wat Yai Chaimongkon : Lying a km east of Wat Phanancherng is
this large working wat - Wat Yai Chaimongkon. The highlight of the
temple is an image of large reclining Buddha in saffron robes. There is
also a huge chedi covered by golden cloth set in a courtyard. Lined up
on the sides are Buddha images all adorned with saffron robes.
- Wat Lokayasutharam : The temple is well known for its 29 m
long reclining image of Lord Buddha made of brick and covered with
mortar.
- Chao Sam Phraya Museum : This museum is located on the
Rojana Road and was inaugurated in 1961 by King Bhumibol. The museums,
apart from other exhibits, also displays the Buddha heads that are so
noticeably missing at the sites themselves. Also to be seen here is an
image of seated Buddha (Dvaravati, 11-12th.c.) and a huge bust of the
Buddha in the U Thong style. The museum is open from Wed-Sun from 9 am
to 4 pm, entrance fee is 30 baht.
- The Chandra Kasem Museum : Housed in a palace which was
reconstructed by King Mongkut (Rama IV), the museums displays relics
from 13th to 17th century. Statues of Buddha and Bodhisattvas area also
on display.
- Phra Ram Park : Located behind Wat Mahathat, Phra Ram Park
is a huge wooded area with paths and bridges over waterways. Roaming
around, you will see various statues, buddha images and buildings. No
entry fee is charged.
How To Reach
By Air - The airport at Bangkok is the closest
one if you wish to reach Ayutthaya by air.
By Train - Trains from Bangkok's Hualamphong Train Station drop you to Ayutthaya in around an hour and a half. The train station in Ayutthaya is located to the east of the central island. From the station, the most convenient way to get to the central Naresuan Road is to first walk straight ahead and then take the cross-river ferry.
By Road - Ayutthaya can be reached from Bangkok by buses which run thrice every hour. The buses start from Bangkok's Northern Bus Terminal and take at least two hours to drop you to the central BKS bus station in Ayutthaya. The central BKS bus station lies on the south side of Thanon Naresuan, next to the Chao Phrom Market.
Minibuses are available from the Victory Monument square in Bangkok
By Boat - Boats are available from Bangkok to transfer you to Ayutthaya but the journey is quiet long, sometimes taking a complete day. Also, you will need to make prior bookings since there are no scheduled services, just trips for tourists.
By Train - Trains from Bangkok's Hualamphong Train Station drop you to Ayutthaya in around an hour and a half. The train station in Ayutthaya is located to the east of the central island. From the station, the most convenient way to get to the central Naresuan Road is to first walk straight ahead and then take the cross-river ferry.
By Road - Ayutthaya can be reached from Bangkok by buses which run thrice every hour. The buses start from Bangkok's Northern Bus Terminal and take at least two hours to drop you to the central BKS bus station in Ayutthaya. The central BKS bus station lies on the south side of Thanon Naresuan, next to the Chao Phrom Market.
Minibuses are available from the Victory Monument square in Bangkok
By Boat - Boats are available from Bangkok to transfer you to Ayutthaya but the journey is quiet long, sometimes taking a complete day. Also, you will need to make prior bookings since there are no scheduled services, just trips for tourists.
