Ayutthaya Kingdom

Ayutthaya’s art and architecture was a delicate blend of Dvaravati, Khmer, Mon, Lawa and Khmer cultures. The city site at the heart of the riverine system of the lower Chao Phrayabasin was carefully chosen to allow a moated trapezoid plan and a water-borne way of life. Ayutthaya’s sister city, Lop Buri, just a short distance north. It shared in the capital’s splendour. One of Thailand’s greatest kings. Narai built a palace there that can still be seen. It was these two glorious cities that Europeans first saw.

This golden age of Thai culture also produced the exquisite architecture and decoration at Bang Pa-in, a royal summer palace on the majestic Chao Phraya River just south of the capital, as well as the elegance and grace of Thai classical dance and theatre. Unhappily, all these fabulous glories were sacked by a Burmese invasion in 1767. All that remains of 417 glorious years are the ruins you can see today. They are now a World Heritage site.