Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Attractions

Attractions Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya

Wihan Phra Mongkhon Bophit

This chapel is located to the south of Wat Phra Si Sanphet. A large bronze seated Buddha image (Phra Mongkhon Bophit) was originally enshrined outside the Grand Palace to the east. It could be dated to the 15th century and was originally intended to stand in the open air. Later, King Songtham commanded it to be transferred to the west, where it is currently enshrined and covered with a Mondop. In the reign of Phra Chao Sua, the top of the Mondop was burnt down by a fire due to a thunderbolt. The King then commanded that 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 present Viharn and Buddha image have been reconstructed and renovated. The open

area located east of the Viharn was formerly Sanam Luang, where royal cremation ceremonies took place.

Wat Phra Si Sanphet

In 1491, Wat Phra Si Sanphet was located inside the compound of the Grand Palace-the foundations of which are still visible-and served as the royal chapel, as Wat Phra Kaeo does in Bangkok. This Wang Lung Palace (Royal Palace) was built by King U-Thong upon the founding of the city. Used as a residential palace, it became a monastery in the reign of King Ramathibodi I. When King Borom Trai Lokanat commanded the construction of new living quarters, this residential palace was transformed into a temple,and the establishment of Wat Phra Si Sanphet. In Ayutthaya's heyday, this was the largest temple in the city.

The three main chedis which have been restored contain the ashes of three Ayutthaya kings. The temple is situated at the northern end of Si Sanphet Road. The royal chapel does not have any monks and novice inhabitants. Admission fee is 20 bahts.

Wat Phanan Choeng

Overlooking the river on the opposite bank from the main city, Wat Phanan Choeng was founded shortly before the establishment of Ayutthaya as the Kingdoms capital. Its main building enshrines a huge, seated Buddha image, that is 57 feet tall an object of particular devotion to Thais of Chinese origin. This principal image called Phrachao Phananchoeng was built of stucco in the attitude of subduing evil in 1325. The temple is a popular stopover for riverboat cruises along the Maenam Chao Phraya. This temple can be reached by boat from the fortress ruins.

Wat Chaiwatthanaram

Located on the bank of the Maenam Chao Phraya, to the west of the city island is Wat Chaiwatthanaram. Built in 1630 by King Prasat Thong to honor his mother, Wat Chai Wattanaram was conceived as a replica of the Angkor temple. A Royal monastery, the temples unique feature is a huge prang which is surrounded by smaller prangs. This symbolizes Mount Meru, the abode of the heavenly gods. Now restored, the temple is also accessible by a long-tailed boat trip from Chankasem Palace Pier. This 1-hour trip to the temple costs approximately 300-400 bahts (round-trip). Entry fee to the temple itself is 20 bahts.

Elephant Kraal Pavilion

The Pavilion, utilized as the royal seat to witness the elephant round up, is situated north of the city island. In the past wild elephants would be trained here to become war or transport animals. It is thought that in the Ayutthaya period the stockade was inside the city wall, but this one was built later and was used up until the Bangkok period. In the middle of the stockade is a shrine where the elephant guardian is supposed to reside. Posts made of whole timbers form the fence where elephants were tied up during the training. An elephant round-up was demonstrated here in 1890, during the reign of King Rama V, for the benefit of the Tsarevitch, who later became Nicholas II of Russia, during his visit to Siam.

Bang Sai Royal Folk Arts and Craft Centre

Located on the left bank of the Chao Phraya River in Tambon Bueng Yai, Amphoe Bang Sai. Farmers from Ayutthaya as well as from other provinces undergo training in folk arts and crafts here. At this centre, you will have a glimpes of how farmers in the four regions live and work ; how their products of arts and crafts are produced. The centre is under the Promotion of Supplementary Occupations and Related Techniques (SUPPORT) which was established under Royal Patronage on the 21st July, 1976. Products and activities which can be seen here are Fern Vien Basketry, Weaving Basketry, Artificial Flowers, Hand-Woven Silk and Cotton, Silk Dyeing, Wood Carving, Miniature Hand - Modelled Thai Dolls, Furniture Making, Cloth-Made Products, etc. All the products are sold at the Centre and in every branch of Chitralada Store.  The Centre covers a total area of approximately 1,000 rai and houses several places of interest including:
 
Sala Phra Ming Khwan is a 4-storey applied Thai building with 4 porches, towering in the heart of the Bang Sai Royal Folk Arts and Crafts Centre. The first floor houses arts and crafts demonstration and shops displaying as well as selling products from the Centre and other arts and crafts centres throughout the country. The second and third floors exhibit the Centre’s masterpieces of the arts and crafts products, and the fourth floor accommodates meetings and seminars. Open daily during 9.00 a.m. – 5.00 p.m. on weekdays and 9.00 a.m. – 6.00 p.m. on holidays. Admission is free.

Arts and Crafts Village The establishment of this village was supported by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) in order to showcase different aspects of architecture of the Thai houses in various regions of the country as well as their ways of living and culture. Lifestyle and handicraft demonstrations are provided daily between 8.30 a.m.–5.00 p.m. on weekdays and 9.00 a.m.–7.00 p.m. on weekends. Thai classical dances and folk entertainment of the 4 regions are performed during 4.30–5.30 p.m. on weekends and national holidays. 
 
The village also offers a traditional Thai wedding ceremony of the Central Region which is to include a religious rite, a procession of the groom’s presents for the bride or Khan Mak, a lustral water pouring ceremony, venue decorations, music as well as food and beverage for guests and relatives. For more details, contact the Arts and Crafts Village at Tel. 0 3536 6666-7, 08 9132 0303 (Khun Atchara).

Arts and Crafts Training Buildings They are situated in the heart of the Centre and comprise various divisions of arts and crafts. The Centre currently provides 29 divisions of arts and crafts training for farmers from all regions of the country to be their supplementary occupations out of the farming season. Visitors can have a look at all stages of the elaborate arts and crafts production. Open daily between 9.00 a.m. – 4.00 p.m. during training periods.

One Thousand-armed Kwan Yin Bodhisattva The 6-metre high image of the one thousand-armed Kwan Yin Bodhisattva was carved out of yellow sandalwood and presented to His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej on the auspicious occasion of his 6th cycle birthday anniversary by Mr. Tu Zhia on behalf of the Chinese people. His Majesty had the image enshrined in a temporary shrine at the elephant pavilion – Sala Rong Chang -  within the Centre for the public to pay respect daily during 9.00 a.m.–5.00 p.m.

Phra Tamnak  is a royal residence for Their Majesties the King and the Queen and their royal children built into a traditional Thai house of Central Thailand with an open basement, using construction materials available locally and surrounded by a beautiful garden and miniature waterfall.
 
Wang Pla is an aquarium displaying freshwater fish constructed and administered by the Department of Fisheries. The main building contains two large aquariums; one is of a bean shape with a capacity of 1,400 tons, the other of a round shape with a capacity of 600 tons, both accommodating various species of freshwater fish native to Thailand. Open during 10.00 a.m. – 4.00 p.m. and closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. 
 
Suan Nok is a bird park operated by the Wildlife Fund Thailand under the Royal Patronage of H.M. the Queen. There are two large aviaries providing nests for more than 30 species of rare birds within natural-like environments including an artificial stream and waterfall as well as forest. There is a suspension bridge for visitors to have a look and take photos of the birds from on top of the aviaries. Other wild animals are also to be seen nearby. Open daily during 9.00 a.m. – 7.00 p.m. Admission is 20 Baht for adults and 10 Baht for children. 
 
Bang Sai Arts and Crafts Centre is open during 8.30 a.m.–5.00 p.m. on weekdays and 8.30 a.m.–6.00 p.m. on weekends and national holidays. Admission is 100 Baht for adults and 50 Baht for children. Visit the Arts and Crafts Village, “Wang Pla” – Thailand’s largest freshwater fish aquarium, arts and crafts training buildings, “Sala Phra Ming Khwan” – a modern Thai building where the Centre’s products are on sale, pay respect to the one thousand-armed Kwan Yin Bodhisattva at the elephant pavilion and take a mini-train free of charge around the Centre. For more information, Tel. 0 3536 6252-4, 0 3528 3246-9 or click www.bangsaiarts.com.

Wat Ratburana

King Borom Rachathirat II (Chao Sam Phraya) built a temple on the site where his two elder brothers were cremated. His two brothers died in a power struggle to succeed their father, King Nakhon In who died in 1424. A series of bell-shaped chedis surround the main prang and a large oblong-shaped viharn is situated at the front. The architectural style evolved from the Khmer prasat, but has been adapted by the addition of a higher multi-layered base and an extended upper section. More corners were added to the main body and the tower section was extended to become corn-shaped. The antefixes, on the other hand, were attached to the body of the tower instead of leaving a decent gap between them which was common in Khmer prasats.

These two temples are separated by Naresuan Road. The Admission fee for each site is 20 bahts.

Chedi Phra Si Suriyothai

This pagoda is situated at the original site of the Rear Palace, in the west of the city. It is a memorial to Somdet Phra Suriyothai, who was the royal consort of Phra Mahachakkaraphat and the first heroine in Thai history. When the Burmese army intruded in 1548, Somdet Phra Suriyothai, clad in a warrior's suit, interrupted the fighting between the King and Phrachao Prae of Burma and was cut to death. Her death saved Ayutthaya from another attack from the Burmese.

Chao Sam Phraya National Museum

This museum is perfect for history buffs who admire fine arts and handicraft of the Ayutthaya period. Housed in the museum are various original antiques, mostly made of gold and decorated with precious jewels. In addition, there are various antique bronze Buddha images and famous carved panels. Of note is a receptacle in the Thai Pavilion
that contains relics of the Lord Buddha and other objects of art that are over 500 years old.

The museum which is located on Rochana Road, opposite the city wall is open daily, except Mondays, Tuesdays and national holidays, from 09.00 a.m. until 4.00 p.m. (Admission fee is 10 Bahts). For more information, call: 0 3524 1587

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