Ayutthaya Historical Park

The Fine Arts Department dates the founding of Ayutthaya to 1351, under King Ramathibodi I, although the area was settled much earlier. The city became the second Siamese capital after Sukhothai and grew rich on river and sea trade, with communities of foreign merchants living around the island. UNESCO describes its art and architecture as an excellent witness to the development of a true national Thai art. The city was captured by the Burmese in 1569, and in 1767 a Burmese army attacked and razed it. It was never rebuilt on the same site; the capital moved south, first to Thonburi and then Bangkok.

Restoration of the ruins by the Fine Arts Department began in 1969, and the area was declared a historical park in 1976. The Historic City of Ayutthaya was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1991. The monuments are protected under Thailand's 1961 Act on Ancient Monuments, Antiques, Objects of Art and National Museums, and the park is managed under a master plan with national and local committees.

Ayutthaya is a working provincial town as well as a heritage site, and life carries on between the ruins: monks in active temples such as Wat Phanan Choeng, vendors selling roti sai mai (fine strands of spun sugar wrapped in a thin pancake), and riverside restaurants known for grilled river prawns. Several temples within the old city are still places of worship, so you will see people making merit with flowers, incense and gold leaf.