Wat Phanan Choeng in Ayutthaya

Wat Phanan Choeng in Ayutthaya

Wat Phanan Choeng is located on Bang Pa-In Road, just next to Pasak River. The temple is located south of Ayutthaya City on the east part of the Chao Phraya River (just about 2 kilomater from Ayutthaya city). Wat Phanan Choeng temple was constructed in 1324, just 26 years before of the Ayutthaya city was found as capital by The King Ramathibodi, first king of Ayutthaya. The main attraction in Wat Phanan Choeng is The Principle Buddha images, called Luang Phor To, an huge U-thong-style image of Buddha. The full name of the Buddha image is Phra Buddha Triratananayok and it is highly respected by Thais and Chinese descent. The Buddha image measures about 14 meters from knee to knee and 19 meters high (including the ornament above the head). Inside the temple buildings are a lot of old Buddha images and people attending worship normally have the yellow robes of the image changed as part of their merit making. Within the holy place there is also a is a small 18th century Chinese style shrine just next to the Pasak River keeping many Chinese god Images. The shrine was built to honor a Chinese Princess who drowned herself because of the king's infidelity. There are many stalls lining the big parking area where food and souvenirs can be purchased.

Open : Daily 08.30 - 17.00
Admission Fee : 20 Baht

Ayutthaya Historical Study Centre

Ayutthaya Historical Study Centre

Ayutthaya Historical Study is a national research organization exhibit about Ayutthaya history, particularly during the period when Ayutthaya was the capital of Thailand during the period 1350-1767. The centre also supports an information service, and a library containing historical resources about Ayutthaya. The Study Centre is funded by the Japanese Government and dedicated to research into Ayutthaya’s history. It's a good idea to go to this centre before heading out elsewhere, as the Study Centre remains into a historical point of view. The exhibits are very remarkable and cover the growth of the city and the traditions of the area. Ayutthaya Historical Center is situated on Rochana Road, close to the local Tourism Authority of Thailand office.

The Ayuthaya Historical Study Center is open 9.00 am to 4.30 pm on weekdays except for Monday and Tuesday, and 9.00 am to 5.00 pm on Saturdays and Sundays

For more information, call +66 35 245-124. Admission Fees : 100 baht.

Wat Phra Mahathat in Ayutthaya

Wat Phra Mahathat (Temple of the Great Relics) is one of the most famous ancient temple in Ayutthaya located in the very center of the city. Wat Phra Mahathat was built in 1374 by King Borom Rachatirat to house the relic of the Buddha. Its current name was given during the reign of King Ramesuan (1388-1395). In about 1625 the top portion of the prang broke off and it was rebuilt in 1633. The reconstruction raised the prang to 44 meters and thence to 50 meters when a 6 meter metal spire was added. Later it collapsed again in 1911 so only the foundations of the main prang remains at present. In 1956, the Thailand Fine Arts Department excavated the middle area of the prang and recovered relics of the Buddha within a seven-layer reliquary.

Wat Phra Mahathat is classic of the Ayutthaya ruins: large collapsing stupas surrounded by low walls and rows of broken images of Buddha. This is also where the famous tree that has grown around a Buddha head is located.