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Ayutthaya (city)

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Ayutthaya (full name Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, พระนครศรีอยุธยา, aˡjutʰajaː; also spelled "Ayudhya") city is the capital of Ayutthaya province in Thailand. The city was founded in 1350 by King U-Thong, who came here to escape a smallpox outbreak in Lop Buri, and proclaimed it the capital of his kingdom, often referred to as the Ayutthaya kingdom or Siam. Ayutthaya was named after the city of Ayodhya in India, the birthplace of Rama in the Ramayana (Thai, Ramakien). In 1767 the city was destroyed by the Burmese army, and the ruins of the old city now form the Ayutthaya historical park, which is recognized internationally as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city was refounded a few kilometers to the east.

It is estimated that Ayutthaya around ca. 1600 had a population of ca. 300,000, and even 1,000,000 around 1700. In that era Ayutthaya belonged thus to the world's largest cities.

Ayutthaya Town Center

  • Ayutthaya Historical Study Center
  • Chan Kasem Palace
  • Chao Sam Phraya National Museum
  • St. Joseph's Church
  • Wang Luang
  • Wat Chai Watthanaram
  • Wat Lokaya Sutharam
  • Wat Mahathat
  • Wat Na Phra Men
  • Wat Phanan Choeng
  • Wat Phra Ram
  • Wat Phra Si Sanphet
  • Wat Phutthaisawan
  • Wat Ratchaburana
  • Wat Suwan Dararam
  • Wat Thammikarat
  • Wihan Phra Mongkhon Bophit

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, on the northern side, the Klong Maung canal.

Approximate centre of old city:

The Empire was actually brought down in 1569 by the Burmese destruction of Ayudhya.

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Last updated on Thursday February 07, 2008 at 05:09:04 PST (GMT -0800)
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