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Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya
The year of the ancient capital of Siam, consisting of 5 dynasties: the Uthong Dynasty, Suphanburi Dynasty, Sukhothai Dynasty, Prasat Thong Dynasty, and Ban Phlu Luang Dynasty, with a total of 33 kings. The first king was King Ramathibodi I (King Uthong). Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya is thus considered the longest-lasting capital in the history of Thailand, serving as the capital of the Thai kingdom for 417 years.
It was not only a period of the highest prosperity for the Thai people but also a creation of civilization recognized by many cultures worldwide. Although Ayutthaya was destroyed and damaged by wars with neighboring countries or by internal invasions and excavations,
what remains today still shows evidence of the great ingenuity and capability of the ancestors of the kingdom who dedicated themselves to creating cultural prosperity and wealth for the land of Thailand and even for the world. It is therefore pleasing that UNESCO, through its World Heritage Committee, has decided to inscribe the Historic City of Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, which covers the area of the Ayutthaya Historical Park,
and has been established as a historical park since 1976, on the World Heritage List on December 13, 1991, in Carthage, Tunisia, along with the Sukhothai Historical Park, Si Satchanalai Historical Park, and Kamphaeng Phet Historical Park. This status grants protection under the convention agreed upon by various countries. It is thus appropriate for future generations to study and visit our old capital city.
Most tourist attractions in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya province are ancient sites, including temples and various palaces. There are three palaces in the province: the Grand Palace, Chan Kasem Palace (Front Palace), and Rear Palace. Additionally, there are palaces and mansions outside the Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya district used for royal visits, such as Bang Pa-In Palace in Bang Pa-In district and Nakhon Luang Mansion in Nakhon Luang district. The geography of Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya province is flat lowland.
Three major rivers flow through it: the Chao Phraya River flows along the west and south sides, the Pa Sak River flows on the east side, and the Lopburi River (now a city canal) flows on the north side. These three rivers converge and surround the area of Ayutthaya city, making the city resemble an island. Houses are densely built along both riverbanks, reflecting the lifestyle of people long connected to the waterways.
Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya province is about 76 kilometers from Bangkok, covering a total area of approximately 2,556 square kilometers. It is divided into 16 districts: Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Nakhon Luang, Phachi, Ban Phraek, Bang Sai, Bang Sai, Lat Bua Luang, Bang Ban, Maha Rat, Bang Pa Han, Sena, Uthai, Bang Pa In, Phak Hai, Tha Ruea, and Wang Noi. To the north, it borders Lopburi and Ang Thong provinces.
It borders Pathum Thani province to the east, Saraburi province to the east, and Suphanburi province to the west. By car from Bangkok, you can travel to Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya province via several routes: 1. Use Highway No. 1 (Phahonyothin Road) passing Pratunam Phra In, then turn onto Highway No. 32, turn left onto Highway No. 309 to enter Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya province. 2. Use Highway No. 304 (Chaeng Watthana Road) or Highway No. 302 (Ngam Wong Wan Road), turn right onto Highway No. 306 (Tiwanon Road), then cross Nonthaburi or Nuan Chawi Bridge to Pathum Thani province, followed by the Pathum Thani - Sam Khok - Sena route (Highway No. 3111), turn right at Sena district onto Highway No. 3263 to enter Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya province. 3. Use the Bangkok - Nonthaburi - Pathum Thani route via Highway No. 306 to the Pathum Thani Bridge junction, turn onto Highway No. 347, then turn onto Highway No. 3309 passing Bang Sai Handicraft Center in Bang Pa In district. 4. Use Expressway No. 9 (Si Rat Expressway) passing Nonthaburi - Pathum Thani, exit the expressway onto Highway No. 1, pass Bang Sai Handicraft Center, turn left onto Highway No. 3469 following signs to Bang Pa Han, at the traffic light intersection (Worachet Intersection), turn right into Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya province.
Bus service: The Transport Company Limited offers first and second-class air-conditioned buses to Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya daily from 4:30 AM to 7:30 PM, departing every 15 minutes with many trips per day from Mo Chit Bus Terminal, Kamphaeng Phet 2 Road. For more information, call 0 2936 2852-66 or Ayutthaya Bus Terminal at 0 3533 5304 or visit http://www.transport.co.th.
Train: Travel to Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya province by train is available daily on routes to the northern and northeastern regions. Trains pass through Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya province in Bang Pa In, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, and Phachi districts before splitting to the north and northeast at Ban Phachi Junction. Additionally, the State Railway of Thailand operates special steam locomotive trains between Bangkok and Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya on three special occasions annually: March 26 (Railway Foundation Day commemorating the opening of the first railway line between Bangkok and Nakhon Ratchasima in 1890), October 23 (King Chulalongkorn Memorial Day honoring King Chulalongkorn who established the Thai railway), and December 5 (His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej's Birthday). For more details, contact the State Railway of Thailand at 0 2223 7010, 0 2223 7020, 0 220 4334, 0 2220 4444, 1690; Ayutthaya Railway Station at 0 3524 1521 or visit http://www.railway.co.th.
Boat: Traveling to Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya by water is popular among foreigners because it offers scenic views and insight into the lives of people along the Chao Phraya River. It also reflects the history when Ayutthaya was the capital and engaged in trade with foreigners via the Chao Phraya River.
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🔗 Districts in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province