Friday, April 25, 2008

Ayutthaya Province

Ayutthaya is one of the most popular province near Bangkok. I recommend you to go to...
Monuments in the area of Historical Park

The Royal Palace
when King Boroma-Tri-Loka-Nat ascended the throne in 1448, he built Wat Phra Sri Sanphet on the site of the old building, and erected a new residence nearer the river.
* Suriyat Amarindra Buliding was built by King Narai the Great on the site of the Bencharatana Building of King Borom-tri-loka-nat, near the compound wall by the river side.
* Sanphet-Prasat Building was built by King Boroma-Tri-Loka-Nat used for the reception in of guests of State.
* Wihara Somdet Building was constructed by the command of King Prasat Thong in 1643 to replace the Mangkalaphisek Building, which built by King Boroma-Tri-Loka-Nat. It was used for such State ceremonies as coronations.
* Chakrwat-Phaichayon Building was used by the kings for reviewing processions and military exerecises. King Prasat Thong founded this building in 1632 and called it Siriyasothorn Mahaphimanbanyoug which was afterwards changed in to Chakrawat Phaichayon.
* The Banyong-Ratanat Builiding (Thai Sra Building) was built on an islet in a lake in 1688 by the commeand of King Phetha Racha.
* The Banyong-Ratanat Building (Thai Sra Building) was built on an islet in a lake in 1688 by the command of King Phetha Racha.
* The Tri Muk Building is mentioned for the first time in the chronircle of the reign of King Boroma-racha ll where it states that this building was destroyed by fire in 1427. In 1908 King Chulalongkorn had the fortieth anniversary of his reign, he commanded Phay Boranrachathanindra to construct a three-portico pavilico on the foundation of what is understood to be the original Tri Muk Building.
* The Song Puen Building was used as the hall of audience since it was situated near his residence. The officials who had audience with the king had access to this building through the Maha phoka rat gate which was the nearest one.

Wat Phra Si Sanphet
Wat Phra Si Sanphet was situated on the premises of the royal palace which had been established in the reign of King Ramathibodi I (King U-Thong). In 1448 King Boroma-Tri-Loka-Nat dedicated the site of the palace to the construction of the temple. The important edifices in this temple are the three main stupas containing the ashes of King Boroma-Tri-Loka-Nat, King Boroma-Rachathirat lll and King Ramathibodi ll . It was a royal temple of the Kingdom of Ayutthaya, used for such important royal ceremonies as swearing allegiance l and it also served as the royal family's private chapel and the place where the royal family's ashes were preserved. No monks resided here though they were occasionally invited for particular rites.
Wat Mahathat
Wat Mahathat was a grand temple, like wat Ratchaburana. The royal chronicle says that it was built in the reign of King Boroma-Rachathirat l in 1374 and completed in the reign of King Ramesuan. The main prang where the relic of the Lord Buddha was kept and found is originally 50 metres high. At present only the base can he seen as the top was broken down in 1911 in the reign of King Rama Vl.
Wat Ratchaburana
Wat Ratchaburana was built in the reign of King Boromrachthirat ll (Chao Sam Phya) in 1424 on the cremation site of his brothers, Prince Ai and Yi. They died of fighting for the throne on elephant's backs. Two chedi for the ashes of the two princes were built on the combat spot, which was between Wat Mahathat and Wat Ratchaburanan. At present only the bases can be seen. In the main prang, two crypts filled with golden royal treasure, such as Buddha images, and votive tablets, were foud. The finds are exhibited in the Chao Sam Phya National Museum, Ayutthaya.
Wat Phra Ram
King Ramesuan established Wat Phra Ram in 1369 on the cremation site of King Ramathibodi l, his father. At present, the temple is situated near Phra Ram pond which has originally called "Nong Sano". In the temple there remains a main prang surrounded by a cloister containing deteriorated stone Buddha images. The ubosot (ordination hall) is in north of the site.
Wihara Phra Mongkhon Bophit
Wihra Mongkhon Bophit is one of the largest Buddha lmage in the attitude of subduing. The image was probably built in the reign of King Chairacha in 1538 for Wat Chi Chieng. During the fall of Ayutthaya in 1767 Wihara Phra Mongkhon Bophit was fired. The right arm and the knot of the Buddha image were broken.
In the reign of king Rama V (1992), Phraya Boranratchathanin restored the broken parts of the image with mortar and the wihara was built to cover the image in 1956.
Phra Chedi Si Suriyothai
Phra Chedi Si Suriyothai is situated in Wat Suan Luang Sopsawan, the place where Queen Suriyothai, king Mahachakraphat's wife, was cremated. She died on an elephant's back, having saved her husband from danger in the war with Burma. The chedi and the temple were established in 1548 in memorial of the Queen's heroic deed.