Brief of Ayutthaya

The Siamese state of Ayutthaya nestled in the valley of the Chao Phraya River, 86 kilometers north of Bangkok, is distinguished for its historical heritage. Serving as the Thai capital for 417 years (1350 – 1767) the Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya was glorified as one of the biggest cities in Southeast Asia. The Kingdom of Ayutthaya reached its pinnacle in terms of sovereignty, military might, wealth, culture, and international commerce in the 16th century, pushing its territory further beyond current Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar. Ayutthaya is replete with the grandeur of Thai history stored in the magnificent structures and ruins concentrated in and around the city.

Coined as the ‘Sacred City’, Ayutthaya with its lineage of 400 years is an archaeological treasure trove for the contemporary tourist as they travel for 3 hours from Bangkok. Despite the crumbling state the temple compounds are still awe-inspiring. A unique object is the Buddha head lodged in the tree trunk at Wat Mahatat.

However, modern Ayutthaya is a provincial capital with a number of industrial estates in the vicinity. The historical centre is a short tuk-tuk ride from the train station. The city covers 2,556 square kilometers and is administratively divided into 16 districts - Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Ban Phraek, Bang Ban, Bang Pahan, Bang Pa-in, Amphoe Bang Sai, Bang Sai, Lat Bua Luang, Maha Rat, Nakhon Luang, Phachi, Phak-Hai, Sena, Tha Rua, Uthai and Wang Noi.

The central part of the city is actually an island surrounded by two rivers and a canal. It is far enough from Bangkok not to be a suburb, but close enough for escapism. There is a small community of expatriates living here as well as a small, unobtrusive tourism scene so western food and second-hand books are close at hand. Additionally, Ayutthaya is home to a few clubs, restaurants by the river and bars catering to the local population. English teaching has exploded as an opportunity in Ayutthaya over the past fifteen years. Many schools are actively seeking native-English speakers for their classrooms today. The city’s appeal is in its spiritual and cultural attributes.