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Set in the heart of
the central plains that extend north from
Bangkok is Ayutthaya. Easily visited on a day
excursion from Bangkok, either by road or, more
interestingly, by the Chao Phraya River, this
ancient city offers an intriguing glimpse into a
glorious past whereby it was named after the
home of Rama in the Indian epic Ramayana.
Founded in the 14th
century, Ayutthaya was the country's former capital
city for
more than 400 years until its destruction in
1767 whereby the river defenses were unable to
repulse persistent attacks by the Burmese. During the height of its power it ranked
as the largest, most magnificent city in the
orient, as witnessed in the extensive ruins of
numerous temples and palaces that are today
preserved in what is a UNESCO World Heritage
Site and also an international shipping route
and the cultural centre of the emerging Thai
nation.
To know more about
the historical importance of the temple here,
visiting the Ayutthaya Historical Study Centre
is a must because it has informative displays to
give you a better understanding when viewing the
ancient city. The best time to
visit Ayutthaya is during the celebrations of
Loi Krathong, a festival held on a full moon
night whereby tiny votive boats are floated on
rivers and ponds as a tribute to the River
Goddess, because it is being celebrated with
great fanfare and the fun never seemed to end.
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