AYUTTHAYA

   76 kilometers north of Bangkok , the Ancient city of Ayutthaya, or Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, the Thai capital for 417 years, is one of Thailand's major tourist attractions. many ancient ruins and art work can be seen in a city that was founded in 1350 by King U-Thong when the Thais were forced southwards by northern neighbors. During the period of Ayutthaya being the Thai capital, 33 kings of different dynasties ruled the kingdom until it was sacked by the Burmese in 1767. Ayutthaya, boasts numerous magnificent ruins. Such ruins indicate that Ayutthaya was one of Indo-China's most prosperous cities.

Bang Pa-In Summer Palace :

   Half an hour south of Ayutthaya, about 60 kilometres by road, Bang Pa-In is the site of a riverside summer palace formerly popular with late Ayutthaya-period monarchs and early kings of the present Chakri dy-nasty. Originally, the riverine island was used by the Ayutthayan monarch, Prasat Thong (reign: 1630-1655) as a summer residence, and by every Ayutthayan monarch thereafter. When Bangkok became the new Thai capital in 1782, Bang Pa-In remained deserted for 80 years. King Rama IV (reign: 1851-1868) stayed there and had a residence constructed in the old palace com-pound. His son, King Chulalongkorn (reign: 1868-1910) liked the place, and stayed there every year, largely constructing the royal palace, a collection of Thai, European and Chinese-style buildings, as it is seen today.

   Wehat Chamrun Hall is the only palace open to public. This magnificent Chinese-style building was a fifty to King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) from the king's subjects of Chinese ancestry. King Rama V used customarily to reside in the dwelling during Cool Season visits. The palace is open every day from 8.30 AM until 3.30 PM.

Wat Phra Si San Phet :
   This royal temple was the inspiration for the Emerald Buddha Chapel in Bangkok, an is the focal point of a complex currently called the "Ancient Palace'. Much like the Grand Palace complex in Bangkok, the "Ancient Palace' was the traditional residence of Ayutthayan monarchs. The entire complex is dominated by Wat Phra Si San Phet's three towering Ayutthayan-style chides, and contains several satellite ruins of meeting halls used for stare ceremonies, to welcome foreign envoys, to view military parades and royal barge processions, and for leisure.

Bang Sai Royal Folk Arts & Crafts Center :
   This 14-acre riverside complex in Ayutthaya's Bang Sai District is under the Foundation of Supplementary Occupations and Related Techniques (SUPPORT) which was established under royal patronage during 1976. The center trains farmers from Ayutthaya, and other provinces, in folk arts and crafts. Visitors to the center can see how such crafts are produced. That include: Fern vine basketry, basketry weaving, artificial silk flowers, hand-woven silks and cottons, silk dyeing, wood carving, miniature hand-made Thai Dolls, textile products.

The Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Historical Park :
   A vast stretch of historical site in the heart of Ayutthaya City, has been included in UNESCO list of World Heritage since December 13, 1991. Totally 375 temples.