It is 80 kms to Ayutthaya from Bangkok. On the way out of the city we pass by the old railway station.  King Rama 5th brought trains to Bangkok 125 years ago…. in 1880.

Heavy rains that we experienced on Sunday when I arrived and last night, were from a typhoon.  It caused widespread flooding in the city.  The lightning last evening was so close and intense that made me just about have a heart attack. 

The new train station was built outside the downtown area, about 6 years ago but in another few years they with have high speed train to, starting with China & then to Europe.  

We arrive at the site at 10:25. There were 34 kings that reigned in Ayutthuya.

King #25 (of the 34 kings)built the stupas outside of the city in 1630. He dedicated it to his mother. It was built on land outside the city of Ayatthuya, that had been hers …..to celebrate his victory over Cambodia.  The surrounding area was for foreigners. Ayutthaya city is actually surrounded but 12 km of rivers (3rivers) …..only Thai personal/and military lived in the city area. 

There are 120 Buddha images. The Burmese later burned all the buildings. 

Golden Buddha in Bangkok, was made from rings & other jewelry belonging to the people as a way for them to contribute.  When it was made of solid gold, it was then covered with plaster. It, along with all statues of Buddha were transferred as much as 528 kms to Bangkok where it would be protected by the king of Thailand (a different set of kings from the ones that ruled Ayatthuya).  While being moved to the second floor of the building in Bangkok, it was dropped breaking the plaster and exposing the gold underneath. 

In the area outside Ayutthaya city, buildings or stupas were for the keeping of the ashes of royalty. One of the princes (how dare he)had affair with his father’s concubine. He was caned….beaten and died that day while the concubine, also beaten, died 3 days later. His “stupa” is the smallest of the buildings.  All of buildings were gold plated originally but are now only brick. Some are being reconstructed. 

In 1374, the temple in the “city” was built by 3rd king.  In the museum (that we didn’t stop at) is a room where the royal jewels were kept.

One temple, in 1911 was destroyed by earthquake.

We then stopped for lunch ….

Then to most important temple (within the city of Ayutthuya) from King #8. Treasures were kept in the temple/palace. It is a massive complex. There the Buddha was 343 kilo gold 16 metres high. Our guide pointed out the burial place of kings #8, 9, 10.  All the gold was taken by Burmese….palace/temples destroyed by fire in 1778.

Ayutthuya was the capital from 1350-1767.