Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya พระนครศรีอยุธยา Principality of Ayutthaya | |
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| City of Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya เทศบาลนครพระนครศรีอยุธยา | |
.jpg) View of theAyutthaya Historical Park, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Thailand. | |
 Seal | |
| Nickname: Ayodhya | |
  Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Location inThailand | |
| Coordinates:14°20′52″N100°33′38″E / 14.34778°N 100.56056°E /14.34778; 100.56056 | |
| Country |  Thailand |
| Province | Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya |
| District | Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya |
| Named after | Ayodhya,Uttar Pradesh,India |
| Government | |
| • Type | City Municipality |
| • Mayor | Somsong Sappakosonlakul |
| Area | |
• Total | 14.84 km2 (5.73 sq mi) |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 50,830 |
| • Density | 3,425/km2 (8,871/sq mi) |
| Registered residents only | |
| Time zone | UTC+7 (ICT) |
| Postcode | 13xxx |
| Area code | (+66) 35 |
| Website | ayutthayacity.go.th/ |
| UNESCO World Heritage Site | |
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 Interactive map of Historic City of Ayutthaya | |
| Criteria | Cultural: III, IV |
| Reference | 576 |
| Inscription | 1991 (15thSession) |
Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya (Thai:พระนครศรีอยุธยา,pronounced[pʰráʔná(ʔ).kʰɔ̄ːnsǐːʔā.jút.tʰā.jāː]), commonly known locally asAyutthaya, is the capital ofPhra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya province inThailand. It lies on an island at the confluence of theChao Phraya andPa Sak rivers. Ayutthaya was the capital of theAyutthaya Kingdom and, between the 14th and 18th centuries, grew into one of the world's largest cities and a major hub of diplomacy and commerce, before its destruction during theBurmese invasion of 1767.
Today, Ayutthaya is a major centre of cultural tourism, while the surrounding area forms part of Thailand's industrial and transport corridor north ofBangkok; its historic core is protected as theAyutthaya Historical Park, aUNESCO World Heritage Site.
The nameAyutthaya is derived from Sanskrit अयोध्य -Ayodhya and is from the Thai national epicRamakien;phra (fromKhmer:preah ព្រះ ) is a prefix for a noun concerning a royal person, andnakhon (fromPali:nagara) designates an important or capital city.
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Ayutthaya was officially founded in 1351[a] by KingUthong, who went there to escape asmallpox outbreak inLopburi and proclaimed it the capital of his kingdom, often referred to as theAyutthaya Kingdom or Siam. Archaeological and written evidence has revealed that Ayutthaya was inhabited as early as the late 13th century, before the arrival of Uthong.[2]: 44–5 Further evidence of this can be seen withWat Phanan Choeng, which was founded in 1324.[3]
Ayutthaya became the second Siamese capital afterSukhothai.[4] Early Western accounts describe Ayutthaya as a "noble" and "wealthy" city.[5] In thelate Ayutthaya period, European visitors described it as among the world's wealthiest and most cosmopolitan cities.[6] It is estimated that by the year 1600, Ayutthaya had a population of about 300,000, with the population perhaps reaching 1,000,000 around 1700, making it one of the world's largest cities at that time,[7] a period during whichUNESCO describes Ayutthaya as flourishing into one of the world's largest and most cosmopolitan urban areas and a center of global diplomacy and commerce,[4] with asystematic city-planning grid of roads, canals, and moats supported by an extremely advancedhydraulic water-management system,[4] when it was sometimes known as the "Venice of the East".[8][9]
In 1767, the city wasdestroyed by the Burmese army, resulting in the collapse of the kingdom. The ruins of the old city are preserved in theAyutthaya Historical Park,[10] which is recognised internationally as aWorld Heritage Site. The ruins, characterised by theprang (reliquary towers) and gigantic monasteries, give an idea of the city's past splendour.[4]
Modern Ayutthaya was refounded a few kilometres to the east. Although the former royal capital never regained its previous political prominence, the area remained inhabited and gradually developed into a provincial capital. Over time, conservation and archaeological work concentrated on the ruined core of the old city, while the modern urban centre expanded beyond the island. Today, Ayutthaya's historic monuments and cultural landscape continue to shape the city's identity and economy, particularly through heritage tourism and religious pilgrimage.
Since 2005, the population of Ayutthaya has been declining.[11]
| Estimation date | 31 Dec 2005 | 31 Dec 2010 | 31 Dec 2015 | 31 Dec 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 55,097 | 54,190 | 52,940 | 50,830 |
The city is located about 40 miles (64 km) north ofBangkok, at the confluence of theChao Phraya,Lopburi andPa Sak rivers, and on the main north–south railway linkingChiang Mai to Bangkok. The old city is on an island formed by a bend of the Chao Phraya on the west and south sides, the Pa Sak on the east side and the Klong Muang canal on the northern side.
Ayutthaya, located in the central plains, is affected by three seasons:
| Climate data for Ayutthaya | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 31.6 (88.9) | 34.0 (93.2) | 36.7 (98.1) | 37.4 (99.3) | 36.8 (98.2) | 34.2 (93.6) | 33.8 (92.8) | 32.8 (91.0) | 32.3 (90.1) | 32.3 (90.1) | 32.0 (89.6) | 30.9 (87.6) | 33.7 (92.7) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 18.4 (65.1) | 20.2 (68.4) | 24.4 (75.9) | 25.6 (78.1) | 26.4 (79.5) | 26.3 (79.3) | 25.5 (77.9) | 24.8 (76.6) | 24.4 (75.9) | 23.5 (74.3) | 21.6 (70.9) | 19.4 (66.9) | 23.4 (74.1) |
| Average rainfall mm (inches) | 2.4 (0.09) | 18.8 (0.74) | 43.5 (1.71) | 67.9 (2.67) | 208.0 (8.19) | 223.0 (8.78) | 180.8 (7.12) | 260.0 (10.24) | 213.9 (8.42) | 167.6 (6.60) | 37.1 (1.46) | 0.8 (0.03) | 1,423.8 (56.05) |
| Average rainy days | 0 | 1 | 4 | 6 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 19 | 17 | 12 | 3 | 1 | 111 |
| Source: Thai Meteorological Department[12] | |||||||||||||
| Name | Picture | Built | Sponsor(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon |  | 1357[13] | KingRamathibodi I[14] | One of the most famous temples in Ayutthaya |
| Wat Mahathat |  | 1374 | KingBorommaracha I | |
| Wat Chai Watthanaram |  | 1630 | KingPrasat Thong | One of the most famous temples in Ayutthaya |
| Wat Phanan Choeng | .jpg) | 1324 | ||
| Wat Phra Si Sanphet |  | 1350 | KingRamathibodi I | |
| Wihan Phra Mongkhon Bophit | .jpg) | c. 1637 (restored c. 1742/20th century, on multiple occasions)[15] | KingChairacha KingBorommakot[16] | Restored once or twice in the 18th century. Reduced to ruins after theFall of Ayutthaya in 1767. Restored in the 20th century.[17] |
| Wat Na Phra Men |  | 1503[18] | KingRamathibodi II | One of the best preserved temples to survive after theFall of Ayutthaya in 1767. Restored during the reign ofRama III (r. 1824–51).[19] |
| Wat Ratchaburana | .jpg) | 1424 | KingBorommarachathirat II | |
| Wat Pradu Songtham | Under royal patronage from KingSongtham (r. 1611–28) until the fall of Ayutthaya in 1767[20] | KingUthumphon entered the monkhood at this temple following his forced abdication in 1758[21] | ||
| Wat Lokaya Sutharam | _Ayuthaya%2c_Thailand.jpg) | 1452 | KingIntharacha | |
| Wat Phra Ram |  | 1369 | KingRamesuan | |
| Wat Phutthaisawan |  | Before 1350 | KingRamathibodi I | Built before Ayutthaya was founded |
| Chedi Phukhao Thong | .jpg) | c. 1569, 1587 (rebuilt in 1744)[22] | King (then-Prince)Naresuan KingBorommakot[23] | Built to commemorate a battle victory following Ayutthaya's liberation from Burma in 1584[24] |
| Wat Thammikarat |  | Before 1350 | King ofLavo | Built before Ayutthaya was founded |
| Wat Kudi Dao |  | 1711 or earlier[25] | Prince, later KingBorommakot[26] | A good example of 18th-century Late Ayutthaya wat architecture. Partially restored.[27] |
The Ayutthaya Night Market offers a plethora of shopping opportunities, including a wide variety of food, clothing, and handicrafts. Visitors can enjoy traditionalThai dishes such as pad Thai, mango sticky rice, and tom yum soup, as well as a range of international cuisine. The market is also famous for its impressive array of souvenirs, including handmade bags, jewelry, and textiles. The atmosphere is lively and energetic, with street performers, music, and colorful lights adding to the festive ambiance.[28]
Khlong Sabua is afloating market in Ayutthaya; it is more popular with Thai tourists than foreign travellers. The main attraction is aWater Theatre featuring live performances of Thai folk tales and musicals.[29]
Ayutthaya is accessible by air and rail.
The closest airport is Bangkok'sDon Mueang International Airport, a hub for regional budget carriers. An elevated walkway connects Terminal 1 to the Don Muang Train Station, where Ayutthaya-bound trains regularly roll through.[30]
Trains to Ayutthaya leave Bangkok'sHua Lamphong Station approximately every hour between 04:20 am. and 10:00 pm. The 3rd class fare is 20 baht for the 1.5 hour trip. Train schedules are available from the information booth at Hua Lamphong Station, Bangkok.[31]
a The city was founded on Friday, the 6th day of the waxing moon of the 5th month, 1893Buddhist Era, corresponding to Friday, 4 March 1351Common Era, according to the calculation of theFine Arts Department of Thailand.[34]
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Ayutthaya travel guide from Wikivoyage| International | |
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| National | |
| Other | |
