Ayutthaya Day Tour From Bangkok

Itinerary:

PRICE: (JOIN IN) ADULT 1,800THB / CHILD 1,500THB

PRICE: (PRIVATE) 3,000THB / PERSON (2 person minimum)

06:00 AM Pick up from hotel lobby

07:30 AM Depart for Ayutthaya. Visit Bang Pa-In Palace, Wat Yai, Wat Lokaya, Wat Phra Sisanphet, Wat Mahathat, Lunch

03:00 PM Back to your hotel

Child Policy:

• Children under 2 years old will be free of charge (No seat provided)
• Children over 120cm will be charged at adult rate

No Show Policy:

• If you have any last-minute changes, please feel free to contact our reservation team 24 hours in advance, if not a no-show rate of full ticket price / pax will be charged for the tour

Inclusions:

• Round trip transfer to the hotel (city hotel only)
• Transportation for tour
• Admission fee & Lunch
• English Speaking Guide

Exclusions:

• Other optional or other tour & meal than mentioned in the program

General Pick up Area / Road:

• Asoke, Charoen Krung Road Soi 1-50, Chidlom, Pathumwan. Phayathai, Ploenchit, Pratunam, Petchburi Road from Soi 1 to Avani Atrium, Silom, Sathorn, Siam Square, Sukhumvit Soi 1-33 and Soi 2-24.
• For Joined Group Tour, there is no pick up and drop off at the hotels in Chinatown, Pomprab, Pranakorn and Khao San Area which are in Bangkok Downtown.n
• Pick up at the lobby of your hotel. If your hotel is out of route, a meeting point will be suggested.

General Terms and Conditions:

• The given time frame is an estimate of timing only, and can deviate due to traffic, road conditions, weather, pace of tourists and/or any unforeseen circumstances.

History

Bang pa-in summer palace

The original Palace was built by King Prasat Thong of Ayutthaya in the first half of the 17th century. When Ayutthaya was invaded and destroyed by the Burmese in 1767, Bang Pa-In Palace was left abandoned for almost a century.

During the reign of King Mongkut (Rama IV) in the 1850’s some of the Palace was rebuilt. Most of the buildings of Bang Pa-In Palace today date from the late 19th century. The Palace is still in use by the Royal Family today.

Several impressive buildings can be found in the Palace complex, built in very different architectural styles, some in classical Thai, some Chinese and some European design. The large landscaped grounds are very well maintained, the neo classical style European buildings give Bang Pa-In Summer Palace a little of a Versailles like atmosphere. A full day can easily be spent in this picturesque and very photogenic place.

The buildings of Bang Pa-In Palace

Maybe best known is the Aisawan Thiphya-Art Sala (Thai style pavilion) in a small lake, which is also called “The divine seat of personal freedom”. This structure was built in traditional Thai architecture during the reign of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) and it contains a statue of the King. This is the only building on the Palace grounds built in traditional Thai architectural style. This Royal Sala is a copy of the Phra Thinang Aphonphimok Pavilion in the Grand Palace in Bangkok, which was built by King Rama IV.

WAT YAI CHAI MONGKHON

The temple was founded in the second half of the 14th century during the reign of King U Thong, the first ruler of Ayutthaya. A chedi and viharn were built, the temple was named Wat Pa Kaeo. Wat Pa Kaeo became an important temple when it was made the seat of the Supreme Patriarch of the forest sect of Buddhism. The monastery got its present name after construction of the Chedi Chai Mongkhon in the late 16th century.

During the Burmese invasion of 1767 the temple was largely destroyed.

The Battle of Nong Sarai

In 1592 the battle of Nong Sarai took place, one of many battles between Ayutthaya and the Burmese. During the battle Ayutthaya King Naresuan moved forward and attacked the Burmese Crown Prince Minchit Sra in one on one combat on war elephants. King Naresuan killed the Burmese Prince with his sword, after which the Burmese army retreated. On return to Ayutthaya the King ordered the Chedi Chai Mongkhon built to commemorate the victory over the Burmese. This battle is depicted on the seal of Suphan Buri province

WAT PHRA SISANPHET

Wat Phra Si Sanphet, “the temple of the Buddha Si Sanphet” was the most important temple in the Ayutthaya Kingdom. Being part of the Royal Palace complex, the very large monastery with dozens of structures was used by Ayutthaya Kings only; it was a Royal temple without resident monks.

In its heydays in the mid-17th century, the temple consisted of a raised platform supporting three very large gilded bell-shaped stupas and three gilded mondops, an enormous viharn enshrining a 16 meter tall gilded Buddha image, as well as dozens of smaller chedis and chapels.

Architecture of the Wat Phra Si Sanphet

The monastery’s main structures are aligned East West. At the center of the Wat Phra Si Sanphet are three large bell-shaped stupas (chedis) standing on an elevated platform. Next to each chedi stood a square mondop with a pyramidal roof.

The platform is surrounded by a walled and roofed gallery lined with Buddha images. East stands the massive principal viharn that enshrined the 16-meter-tall gilded Phra Si Sanphet Buddha as well as two smaller viharns.

Near the East wall are an ordination hall and the Sala Chom Thong, the hall were monks studied the teachings of the Buddha.

The complex is surrounded by an outer wall with access gates at each of the cardinal directions. Lining the walls is a great number of subsidiary chedis and viharns.

WAT LOKAYA SUTHA

Wat Lokaya Sutha, “the temple of the Earth” is located near the North West tip of the historical island near the old Royal Palace and Wat Phra Si Sanphet.

Highlight of the monastery is its 42-meter-long Reclining Buddha image, usually draped in orange cloth. Apart from the central prang which is in good condition, little more than the base of the main buildings remains today.

History of the Wat Lokaya Sutha

Little is known about the monastery’s history. Since it is located close to the Royal palace it was probably an important temple.

Its founding date is unknown; judging from the style of the main prang which is constructed in the same style as nearby Wat Ratchaburana and Wat Mahathat, it is believed that the temple dates from the early Ayutthaya period.

As many other monasteries in Ayutthaya, Wat Lokaya Sutha was destroyed by the Burmese armies during the invasion of 1767.

WAT MAHATHAT

Wat Mahathat, “the temple of the Great Relic” was one of the most important temples in the Ayutthaya Kingdom. Located on the historical island the large monastery features a huge central prang, a very large principal viharn and ubosot and a great number of subsidiary chedis and viharns. The upper part of its once massive central prang has collapsed. Today only the base remains.

One of the temple’s most photographed objects is the head of a stone Buddha image entwined in the roots of a tree.

One of Ayutthaya’s most important temples

Wat Mahathat was one of Ayutthaya’s most important temples. It enshrined Buddha relics and was the seat of the Supreme Patriarch of Buddhism and thus the center of Buddhism in the Ayutthaya Kingdom.

Wat Mahathat was a Royal monastery located close to the palace. The King performed important ceremonies here, such as the Royal Kathin ceremony.

History of the Wat Mahathat

The temple was constructed in 1374 by King Boromma Rachathirat I. A large prang was built to enshrine Buddha relics. The prang collapsed in the early 17th century, after which it was restored and enlarged. Many viharns (assembly halls) and chedis have been added during the reign of later Kings.

When the Burmese invaded and largely destroyed Ayutthaya in 1767, the Wat Mahathat was set on fire. The central prang collapsed again in the early 20th century and has not been restored.