The Saddest, Most Beautiful Place In Thailand (Maybe the world)

One of my favorite places to visit in Thailand is Ayutthaya. I have long said it is one of the saddest places I have ever seen, because the ruins there stand as a lasting reminder of the glory of its past and of the horrible toll of war and hate.

I have been to Ayutthaya many times, but wanted to come again after seeing this from my airplane window on my return from Chiang Mai.  I looked down and recognized Ayutthaya because it has the unique characteristic of being completely surrounded by water.  The mighty Chao Praya river runs to its east and feeder streams run just north and south of the river,  The western portion was man made to complete the surrounding of the capital city by water, which, it was believed, would make them invulnerable to attack.  Anyway, seeing her from above, I wanted to visit Ayutthaya one more time, so I arranged to do a day trip with New on Tuesday.

The Ayutthaya kingdom existed from the mid 1300's until its destruction at the hands of the Burmese army in 1767.  At its height, it controlled most of what is now central and parts of northern Thailand, along with parts of what is now Myanmar and Cambodia.  Ayutthaya welcomed foreigners and traded freely with other countries, including those of Europe.  It rivaled the capitals of Europe in population and power.  Sights like the rows of Buddhas lining temple walls were common.

Bhuddas line the walls at Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon

For making a fair sized donation, you can spread a robe across the reclining Bhudda at Wat Yai CHai Mongkhon.  New was happy to get to do this.

The ruined remains of Wat Phra Si Sanphet.  In 1767, the Burmese army laid siege to Ayutthaya. After 14 months, the kingdom gave in and the Burmese army burned and destroyed most of the city.  The glittering gold gave way to this....  These ruins fill the old city.  Some years later, Taksin the Great would re-gather the Siamese people and establish a new capital in Thonburi, just across the river from what is now Bangkok,  

Rows of Bhuddas, must like those in Wat Yai Chai, but these have all been beheaded.  It's just heart wrenching.

The famous Buddah in the tree.  Roots of the tree grew to surround it.  Today this is one of the most photographed places in Thailand.

If I could ask everyone to do one thing while in Thailand, it would be to visit Ayutthaya.  In one day, you capture so much of the history and culture of this wonderful country.