Sunday, March 16, 2014

AYUTTHAYA THE ANCIENT CAPITAL OF THAILAND FROM 1351 TO 1767 AND IS NOW A UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE

KEE@FSWMAG.COM
Ayutthaya was founded in 1351 by King U Thong to escape an epidemic. He chose the rich floodplain of Auytthaya on a island surrouded by rivers which turned into the greatest seaport in Southeast Asia. At its peak, Ayutthaya was the richest and biggest in the East.

The court of famous King Narai (1656-88) had strong ties with Versailles under King Louis XIV of France whose ambassadors compared Ayuthhaya to Paris! When the Thai ambassador visited Versailles in 1686, his robe was so encrusted with diamonds and precious gems he could hardly walk and had to be supported by courtiers!

It was this surfeit of riches that led to Ayutthaya's downfall. Its palaces and temples were coated with gold and studded with diamonds, rubies, emeralds, sapphires, pearls and coloured gems and were the stuff of dreams. The  Burmese were envious and plotted to rob Ayutthaya.

One of Thailand's greatest moments in its golden history was the epic battle between Thai King Naresuan and Burmese Crown Prince Mingyi Swa. It was a duel on elephants and King Naresuan famously slew Mingyi Swa and the event is celebrated on 18 January as Royal Thai Armed Forces Day.

Unfortunately, Ayutthaya's star eventually dimmed after several attacks by the Burmese. The first few failed but one succeeded in sacking Ayutthaya in April 1767 and ended the kingdom.

The Burmese carted away all the gold and gems from Ayutthaya to embellish Schwedagon temple in their capital Yangon. It is said should the Burmese sell off all the gold and treasures they looted from Ayutthaya today, they could clear their National Debt and be one of the wealthiest nations in Southeast Asia!

After the downfall and utter destruction of Ayutthaya which could not be rebuilt, General Thaksin established a new kingdom downriver at Thonburi and proclaimed himself King. After his death King Rama I moved the capital across the river to what is now Bangkok.


Delicious food aboard our river cruise
Yummy tomyam
Kee Hua Chee gives thumbs up
The boat costs RM 200 to hire but food is extra, around RM 30 to RM 50 per person depending on dishes
Our captain!
That is Apple from TAT
Riverine houses
Restaurant with view
Temples
Scenic
Old Ayutthaya
New temple
Marvellous
Statue of King U Thong and generals
Nice
TAT hired the whole boat for us
Catholic church
Church
Nice
Postcard perfect
Mosque
Ong Suat Cheng and Apple
Historic Wat Phra Si Samphet
The remains of 3 Kings are interred here
Grand
Majestic
Stunning
Wow
A summer palace of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit
Unusual architecture
Grand riverine staircase
Grand
Magnificent
Serene
Kee Hua Chee and Wat Phra Si Sanphet
Kee Hua Chee the Tiger
Holy temple
Classical dance going on
Picturesque
Impressive
New iconic temple
Stately
Famous icon


Barges carrying sand and earth to Bangkok on Chao Phraya
Our boat!
Fun
Aye aye captain
Houseboat
Restaurant
Nice
Grand
Cool
Stunning new temple
Riverine beauty
Ong Suat Cheng and Rozita Shuib
Golden vista
The only fort out of 16 
The Burmese destroyed the remaining 15 forts
The only standing fort of old Ayutthaya
Well preserved
What a view
Kee Hua Chee was impressed
Magic
Scenic
Pantin fish
We fed them with bread
These greedy pantin fish!
Fighting for bread
Thrashing
Battling for food
As these fish are by the temple they could not be caught so they have a great life!
Pantin fish
Pantin fish by dusk
Golden
Golden vista
Golden magic
Drama 
I am attending this tomorrow!
Laser drama
Wow
Magic
Stunning
Night market










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