Spent a full two days exploring this UNESCO World Heritage site.
◦ The Glorious History of Ayutthaya
Ayutthaya is a place located around 100 kilometers from Bangkok. In the past, the Ayutthaya Kingdom conquered the capital of the Khmer Empire, Angkor, three times. After 1431, Cambodia became subordinate to the Ayutthaya Kingdom. This long history of connection had a significant impact on the temple structures in Ayutthaya, blending Khmer and other cultural styles.
◦ After Burmese-Siamese Wars
In the 18th century, a major war broke out between Siam and Burma, resulting in the fall of Ayutthaya. Ayutthaya was under siege by the Burmese army for 14 months. Then, for 15 days, it was burned, destroyed, and looted. Almost everything in Ayutthaya was flattened, including its temples and statues of Buddha. Nowadays, when you visit Ayutthaya, you'll feel a sense of sadness when you see the broken stone statues, while also holding deep respect for the well-preserved Buddha images.
Seeing the ruins reminded me of Angkor Wat. However, the deep-rooted local culture and the way people worship here still made me smile. After all, this is Thailand!
To get from Bangkok to Ayutthaya 1. Take the BTS to Mo Chit Station. 2. From Mo Chit, you can take a taxi to Bangkok Bus Terminal - Chatuchak. 3. At the ticket counter, purchase a minivan ticket to Ayutthaya. The journey takes approximately 1.5 hours.