Ayutthaya: Bygone Glory

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Capital of Thailand from 1350, and a power centre for over 400 years till its ravage and destruction by Burmese invaders in 1767, Ayutthaya today is a restored, priceless Thai relic.

Ayutthaya’s heydays in the 17th Century saw it become the most fabulous city in the Orient, a centre of pomp and glory, with fabulous temples built by its people in honour of their Gods, and palaces for their royalty. The buildings were constructed on a grand scale, set amidst landscaped gardens, and given definite shapes, all of which testify to a well-developed architectural flair. Today, restored ruins tell the story of those bygone days of glory.

Today, visitors find a rare sense of space here that’s soothing both to the mind and body, and the effect of the overall vastness is enhanced by the comparative lack of vehicular traffic and complete silence.

Replete with attractions, a city tour is as educative as it’s interesting. The restored ruins still show their rough, rugged beauty through elegant shapes and distinct contours. Shells of palaces lie in the middle of large courtyards, precariously leaning pagodas partly submerged beneath vegetation, stop one’s walk around the city. There are countless, diverse smaller structures, and a superb and priceless collection of Buddha images, some neatly lined up in a row as though part of some grand ceremony. In keeping with their religious and heritage value, the Buddha images deserve respect. It’s considered disrespectful to point one’s feet towards them or ascend to higher levels than where they are placed. And smoking is prohibited.

Some landmark sites are the ruins of the former royal palace, once a complex of several buildings, something like a ‘city within a city’.  And the Chao Sam Phraya National Museum that’s  stocked with old handicrafts and Thai art treasures that span several centuries of craftsmanship. Amidst these treasures, is a relic of great value - a large Buddha image called the Phra Mongkhon Bophit.

A fairytale scene of architectural wonders awaits one at Bang Pa-In Summer Palace, which played a significant role in former royal days. Featured is a unique collection of ornate ceilings, pillars, and bright arches, tastefully merged to form this beautiful and majestic structure.

While the main buildings are old and historic, there’s nothing old about the shopping outlets that do roaring business in souvenir sales. The famous local souvenir is fish mobiles, but equally popular are other items like silks, weaves, artificial flowers, basketry, gilded human figurines, dolls, and the choicest woodcarving.  Adjacent to Bang Pa – In is the Bang Sai Royal Folk Arts and Crafts Centre, where craftsmen from Thailand’s four main regions converge and produce quality handicrafts.

Ayutthaya is a destination apart. One peeps into the country’s past, learns about the rituals of old, and gets a chance to admire superb old architecture. Instead of loud contemporary music, there are religious chants of monks. And in place of bright lights, here there is the glow of little candles and lamps lit in reverence to local Gods and deities.

It is soulful, peaceful, and beautiful, lingering long in one’s memory…

Fact File

From Bangkok, the best way to get to Ayutthaya is by the ‘Oriental Queen’, an ultra-luxury river cruiser operated by the Oriental Hotel, that sails down the Chao Phraya (‘River of Kings’) to the town that lies 80 km down-river. By road, it’s an hour’s drive.

While the town is a year-round destination, climate-wise, the best time to visit is from October through March.


Some monuments require visitors to follow certain norms, like removing one’s shoes etc. The local tourist office furnishes relevant details and also provides general tourist information.  

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