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Ayutthaya
Historical Study Centre
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Ayutthaya Historical
Study Centre Located on Rochana Road, this centre
is a national research institute devoted to the
study of Ayutthaya, especially during the period
when it was the capital of Thailand. The Centre
is responsible for the museum of the history of
Ayutthaya, which exhibits reconstructions from
the past. The Centre also supports an information
service and a library containing historical materials
about Ayutthaya. |
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Chao
Sam Phraya National Museum |
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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 Pavillion contains relics of Lord
Buddha and objects of art more that 500 years
old. The museum also has a substantial collection
of local artifacts. |
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Chedi
Phra Si Suriyothai |
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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 honour 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 compond. 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 Pharachao 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
Chronical. 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. |
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Elephant
Kraal Pavilion |
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The pavilion, utilized
as the royal seat to witness the elephant round
up, is located 4 kilometres from the city along
Highway No. 309. The outlook is a big cage surrounded
with logs having, from the front centre, fencing
lines of 45 degrees spread out to both sides far
away into the jungle area. Around the kraal itself,
is an earthen wall with bricks to the height of
the pillars'top. Behind the kraal and opposite
the front fencing line, is the pavilion housing
the royal seat. The Kraal currently seen was renovated
in the year 1957. |
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Yamada
House |
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Japanese Village This
is located 1.5 kilometres far from Wat Phanancheong
in Tambon Ko Rien. There is an additional building
of the Ayutthaya Historical Study Centre, where
the foreign affairs of Ayutthaya Period are on
exhibition. |
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Portuguese
village |
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The Portuguese village
located in Tambon Samphao Lom, on the west bank
of the Chao Phraya River and to the south of the
city. The Portuguese were the first Europeans
who travelled 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 centre 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. |
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Wat
Chaiwatthanaram |
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Another monastery that
is located on the bank of Chao Phraya 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. Travelling 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. |
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Wat
Kasattrathirat Worawihan |
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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 centre. |
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Wat
Na Phramen |
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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. |
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Wat
Phananchoeng |
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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. |
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Wat
Phra Mahathat |
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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
Phra Si Sanphet |
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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. |
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Wat
Ratchaburana |
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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. |
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Wat
Suwandaram Ratchaworawihan |
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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. |
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Wat
Yai Chaimongkhon or Wat Chao Phraya |
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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". |
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Wihan
Phramongkhon Bophit Phra Mongkhon Bophit |
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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 be built
in the form of a big sanctuary (Maha Wihan) to
cover the image in lieu of the former Mondop.
During the second fall of Ayutthaya, the building
and the image were badly destroyed by fire, the
one currently seen was renovated but does not
have as beautiful 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, the Phramain Ground of Bangkok). |
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