AYUTTHAYA

Founded around 1350, Ayutthaya became the second capital of Siam after Sukhothai. Throughout the centuries, the ideal location between China, India and the Malay Archipelago made Ayutthaya the trading capital of Asia and even the world. By 1700 Ayutthaya had become the largest city in the world with a total of 1 million inhabitants. Many international merchants set sail for Ayutthaya, from diverse regions as the Arab world, China, India, Japan, Portugal, the Netherlands and France. Merchants from Europe proclaimed Ayutthaya as the finest city they had ever seen. Dutch and French maps of the city show grandeur with gold-laden palaces, large ceremonies and a huge float of trading vessels from all over the world. All this came to a quick end when the Burmese invaded Ayutthaya in 1767 and almost completely burnt the city down to the ground.

Today, only a few remains might give a glimpse of the impressive city they must have seen. Its remains are characterized by the prang (reliquary towers) and big monasteries. Most of the remains are temples and palaces, as those were the only buildings made of stone at that time. The great cultural value of Ayutthaya's ruins were officially recognized in 1991, when the Historic City became an UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its proximity to Bangkok make it a popular day-trip destination for travelers from Bangkok.

The temples with entry charges are usually in ruins, so there is no dress code, although visitors are still requested to refrain from blatant stupidity like clambering up the Buddha statues. Working temples tend to charge no fees and there are often no officials to check that a dress is appropriate (though it is advised to follow these customs to show respect for sacred places). A pass to access 6 chargeable Temples costs 230 Baht

Location and Time

- Ayothaya floating market is opened everyday 10 a.m. - 9 p.m. - Address : 65/12 Pai ling Region, Phra Nakhon Sri Ayutthaya - GPS : 14.360350, 100.593317 Link to the Google Map

How to get there (In case of being in Thailand)

>Private car You can go along Asia Rd., turn left to get into the city and go toward Wat Sam Pluem Temple. After that, look for Wat Ma Hae Yong Temple, and you will able to notice Ayothaya floating market - Public transportations The tourists who want to go to Ayothaya floating market, you can go there by getting on the buses which are tagged Bangkok-Ayuthaya.

Remarkable shop and product in this market

>Thai traditional snack , consists of grain , sticky rice that was fried in high temperature oil , and currant > Kung Hoi Pu Pla :Thai seafoods come with spicy sauce. > Look Chup : Thai traditional dessert made of mashed bean and be imitated from fruit shape to catch customer’s attention. > Chulee Umporn shop : the souvenir shop that sell product with elephant sign on it. To show identity of Thailand to the foreigners or tourists.

---

SOURCE: wikitravel.org/en/Ayutthaya