Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya (city)

Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya
พระนครศรีอยุธยา
Principality of Ayutthaya
City of Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya
เทศบาลนครพระนครศรีอยุธยา
Official seal of Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya
Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya is located in Thailand
Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya
Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya
Location in Thailand
Coordinates: 14°20′52″N 100°33′38″E / 14.34778°N 100.56056°E / 14.34778; 100.56056
Country Thailand
ProvincePhra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya
DistrictPhra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya
Named forAyodhya, Uttar Pradesh, India
Government
 • TypeCity Municipality
 • MayorSomsong Sappakosonlakul
Area
 • Total14.84 km2 (5.73 sq mi)
Population
(2020)
 • Total50,830
 • Density3,400/km2 (8,900/sq mi)
 Registered residents only
Time zoneUTC+7 (ICT)
Postcode
13xxx
Area code(+66) 35
Websiteayutthayacity.go.th/

Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya (Thai: พระนครศรีอยุธยา, pronounced [pʰráʔ ná(ʔ).kʰɔ̄ːn sǐː ʔā.jút.tʰā.jāː]; also spelled "Ayudhya"), or locally and simply Ayutthaya is the capital of Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya province of Thailand. Ayutthaya was the capital of the Ayutthaya kingdom. Located on an island at the confluence of the Chao Phraya and Pa Sak rivers, Ayutthaya is the birthplace of the founder of Bangkok, King Rama I. The ruins of the old city are preserved in the Ayutthaya Historical Park.

Etymology

Ayutthaya is shown in the Fra Mauro map of the world (approximately 1450 CE, with south at the top) under the name "Scierno", derived from the Persian "Shahr-i Naw", meaning "New City"

The name Ayutthaya is from the Thai national epic Ramakien; phra (from Khmer: preah ព្រះ ) is a prefix for a noun concerning a royal person, and nakhon (from Pali: nagara) designates an important or capital city.

History

Ayutthaya skyline, photographed by John Thomson, early 1866

Prior to Ayutthaya's traditional founding date, archaeological and written evidence has revealed that Ayutthaya may have existed as early as the late 13th century as a water-borne port town. King Mongkut in an article written in the mid-19th century and published in Canton, China, notes:

I am just availing myself of an opportunity for searching into some pages of Siamese ancient history, and beg to state that our ancient capital Ayuthia before the year AD 1350, was but the ruin of an ancient place belonging to Kambuja (now known as Cambodia), formerly called Lawek... There were other cities not far remote, also possessed by the Kambujans...

Further evidence of this can be seen with Wat Phanan Choeng, which was founded in 1324, 27 years before Ayutthaya's official foundation.

Ayutthaya was officially founded in 1351 by King U Thong, who went there to escape a smallpox outbreak in Lopburi and proclaimed it the capital of his kingdom, often referred to as the Ayutthaya Kingdom or Siam. Ayutthaya became the second Siamese capital after Sukhothai. It is estimated that Ayutthaya by the year 1600 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, when it was sometimes known as the "Venice of the East".

In 1767, the city was destroyed by the Burmese army, resulting in the collapse of the kingdom. The ruins of the old city are preserved in the Ayutthaya historical park, which is recognised internationally as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The ruins, characterised by the prang (reliquary towers) and gigantic monasteries, give an idea of the city's past splendour. Modern Ayutthaya was refounded a few kilometres to the east.

Population

Since 2005, the population of Ayutthaya has been declining.

Estimation date 31 Dec 2005 31 Dec 2010 31 Dec 2015 31 Dec 2019
Population 55,097 54,190 52,940 50,830

Geography

The city is about 40 miles (64 km) north of Bangkok.

Climate

Ayutthaya, located in the central plains, is affected by three seasons:

  • Hot Season: March – May
  • Rainy season: June – October
  • Cool season: November – February
Climate data for Ayutthaya
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 31.0
(87.8)
33.3
(91.9)
35.4
(95.7)
35.9
(96.6)
34.3
(93.7)
32.6
(90.7)
32.0
(89.6)
31.4
(88.5)
31.3
(88.3)
31.3
(88.3)
30.7
(87.3)
30.0
(86.0)
32.4
(90.3)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 17.0
(62.6)
19.4
(66.9)
22.3
(72.1)
24.3
(75.7)
24.5
(76.1)
24.3
(75.7)
24.0
(75.2)
23.8
(74.8)
23.5
(74.3)
22.5
(72.5)
20.0
(68.0)
17.4
(63.3)
21.9
(71.4)
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

Ayutthaya City Sites

Notable cultural sites

Name Picture Built Sponsor(s) Notes
Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon 1357 King Ramathibodi I One of the most famous temples in Ayutthaya
Wat Mahathat 1374 King Borommaracha I
Wat Chai Watthanaram 1630 King Prasat Thong One of the most famous temples in Ayutthaya
Wat Phanan Choeng 1324
Wat Phra Si Sanphet 1350 King Ramathibodi I
Wihan Phra Mongkhon Bophit c. 1637 (restored c. 1742/20th century, on multiple occasions) King Chairacha
King Borommakot
Restored once or twice in the 18th century. Reduced to ruins after the Fall of Ayutthaya in 1767. Restored in the 20th century.
Wat Na Phra Men 1503 King Ramathibodi II One of the best preserved temples to survive after the Fall of Ayutthaya in 1767. Restored during the reign of Rama III (r. 1824–51).
Wat Ratchaburana 1424 King Borommarachathirat II
Wat Pradu Songtham Under royal patronage from King Songtham (r. 1611–28) until the fall of Ayutthaya in 1767 King Uthumphon entered the monkhood at this temple following his forced abdication in 1758
Wat Lokaya Sutharam 1452 King Intharacha
Wat Phra Ram 1369 King Ramesuan
Wat Phutthaisawan Before 1350 King Ramathibodi I Built before Ayutthaya was founded
Chedi Phukhao Thong c. 1569, 1587 (rebuilt in 1744) King (then-Prince) Naresuan
King Borommakot
Built to commemorate a battle victory following Ayutthaya's liberation from Burma in 1584
Wat Thammikarat Before 1350 King of Lavo Built before Ayutthaya was founded
Wat Kudi Dao 1711 or earlier Prince, later King Borommakot A good example of 18th-century Late Ayutthaya wat architecture. Partially restored.

Museums

  • Ayutthaya Historical Study Centre
  • Chao Sam Phraya National Museum: The museum was specially display the objects excavated at Wat Racha Burana and Wat Maha That.

Other tourism sites

St. Joseph's Church

The city is located at the junction of the Chao Phraya, Lopburi and Pa Sak rivers, and on the main north–south railway linking Chiang 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.

The approximate centre of the old city is 14°20′N 100°34′E / 14.333°N 100.567°E / 14.333; 100.567.

Ayutthaya Night Market

The market offers a plethora of shopping opportunities, including a wide variety of food, clothing, and handicrafts. Visitors can enjoy traditional Thai 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.

The Floating Market of Ayutthaya

There is a lesser-known floating market in Ayutthaya called Klong Sabua which is more popular with Thai tourists than foreign travellers.

The main attraction is a Water Theatre, said to be the only one of its kind in Thailand, featuring live performances of Thai folk tales and Sepaa musicals.

Transport

Ayutthaya railway station

Ayutthaya is accessible by air and rail.

Air

The closest airport is Bangkok's Don 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.

Rail

Trains to Ayutthaya leave Bangkok's Hua 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.

In fiction

Gallery


This page was last updated at 2024-03-11 13:11 UTC. Update now. View original page.

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