Ayutthaya
The ancient capital city of Ayuthaya is really something to see. A UNESCO World Heritage site, at its peak it had more than 1 million residents, larger thatn Paris and London combined.
Founded in c. 1350, Ayutthaya became the second Siamese capital after Sukhothai. It was destroyed by the Burmese in the 1767. Its remains, characterized by the prang (reliquary towers) and gigantic monasteries, give an idea of its past splendour.
It is one of those places that, when wandering around it, provides glimpses into the past. There are moments when you can see and feel what it was like 600 years ago. The majority of the ancient city was founded on "The island" that exists between the 3 rivers that merge around it then reform again into the larger Chao Phraya river.
The site was chosen for the second capital of the Siamese Kingdom because of the region's remarkably fertile soil and its strategic defensive position. Unfortunately, a stronger Burmese army lead by hundreds of elephants raided the town in 1767 and the Burmese ruthlessly burned and looted the city. Once covered in gold, the city was laid to ruins.
As in all areas of Thailand, there are bursts of vibrant color to be found throughout the park
Note the beheaded Buddha statures in the picture. Many of the heads have been stolen over the years. Theft of antiquities has plagued Thailand and all of SE Asia for decades. I am having trouble getting my other pictures to upload, so I will end this post here.
