Ayutthaya History for Tourism: Thailand Environmental Guide

Ayutthaya History for Tourism. Thailand Environmental Guide. A mere 300 years ago, Ayutthaya was the largest city in the world and a key trading hub between East and West. It had over 1 million inhabitants, with merchants and dignitaries from all over the world calling it home. It was established as the second Siamese capital after Sukhothai, and flourished between the 14th and 18th centuries. Its strategic location on the banks of three rivers connected to the sea protected it from attack by sea-going warships, while enabling trade to prosper. The city’s wealth and importance is evident to this day in the sheer number and size of Buddhist monasteries remaining. It all came to an end in April 1767 however, when Burmese armies razed the city to the ground after a 14 month siege. Art treasures, libraries and important historic documents were all destroyed, along with the bulk of the. Today Ayutthaya is an interesting mix of old and new, characterised by magnificent historical sites scattered around a modern Thai city. The majority of them are found in the Ayutthaya Historical Park, but a few noteworthy others are located outside of this central area. Nothing is too far though, and it’s easy to get around on foot, bike or by tuk tuk. There are five wats within the Ayutthaya Historical Park that we recommend you visit, plus two more across the river that are must-sees. From a photography perspective, we struggled to find good information about opening hours, lighting conditions, and the best spots for sunrise and sunset. In the end we took our chances and kicked ourselves a few times, but fortunately for you, we’re here to give you all the info we lacked. Taking into consideration the best light, opening hours and weather, here’s where and when to visit the best of Ayutthaya. Read more