The ancient, abandoned capital of Ayuthaya is a short distance north of Bangkok.
History of Ayuthaya
Reached as a day trip by road or - much more atmospherically - on board a traditional rice barge and encircled by three rivers, Ayuthaya was the capital of Siam for just over four centuries. At its height of power, the kingdom stretched well into Laos, Cambodia and Burma (Myanmar). As merchants travelled to Ayuthaya from all corners of the globe, it became an international centre of commerce and was considered one of the world’s most magnificent cities.
Today its picturesque ruins, statues and temples, gently decaying in the tropical heat, are fascinating to explore.