Ayutthaya World Heritage by Car

Ayutthaya, the old capital of the Thai Kingdom was found by U-Thong King in 1350. Ayutthaya as an island is formed by the gathering of three rivers, the Chao Phaya, the Pasak, and the Loburi and surrounded by rice terraces. It is easy to see why the Ayutthaya area was settled prior to this date since the since the site offered a variety of geographical and economic advantages. The Thai kings of Ayutthaya become powerful in the 14th and 15th centuries, taking over U-Thong, Lopburi and Ayutthaya.

Arrive Bang-Pa-In Summer Palace, a former royal garden retreat, this presents a mélange of different architectural schools, mostly reflecting King Rama V's love for all thing European.

Take the long-tail boat 40 minutes along the river. We will see many traditional Thai houses, Buddhist temples and see the way local people live and travel.

Visit Wat Phananchoeng Warawihan. This temple along the Pasak river was built in 1324 A.D. and thus 26 years before the founding of Ayutthaya by King Ramathibody. It contains a palladium Buddha image of Ayutthaya, Luang Phor To, a huge U-thong-style statue. The full name of the image is Phra Buddha Triratananayok and it is highly revered by Thais of Chinese descent. Inside the temple buildings are many old (but smaller) Buddha images and worshippers. When the people working in the temple stand on the Buddha's lap it becomes obvious how big the image really is.

Visit Wat Maha That, this was once the home of the Supreme Petriarch, a powerful religious force in Ayutthaya. The home of the Supreme Petriarch is a powerful religious force in Ayutthaya. The temple was likely construction by King Borom Rachathirat I around 1374. The temple weathered arson attacks during the Burmese invasion of 1767. As late as the early 20th century the reign of King Rama VI repairs have not been attempted.