Chao
Sam Phraya National Museum
This is on Rochana Road, opposite
the city wall. It houses various antique bronze Buddha images
and famous carved panels and different kings of Buddhist altars.
A receptacle at the Thai Pavilion contains relics of Lord Buddha
and objects of art more than 500 years old. The museum also has
a substantial collection of local artifacts.
The museum is open everyday
except Monday and Tuesday and National Holiday from 9.00 a.m.-4.00
p.m.
Wihan Phra Mongkhon Bophit
The principal Buddha image is
one of Thailand's largest bronze images. Many small Buddha images
were also discovered. The Vihara was destroyed when the Burmese
sacked Ayutthaya in 1767 and was rebuilt in 1956 in its original
style.
Khun
Phaen House
Khun Phaen's Thai-style house
conforms to descriptions in a popular Thai literary work. Khun
Phaen's house is near Wihan Phra Monkhon Bophit.
Chankasem
Palace
This palace was built during
the reign of King Maha Thammaraja, the 17th Ayutthayan monarch,
for his son's residence (King Naresuan). Like other ruins, the
palace was destroyed by the Burmese and left unrepaired for a
long time. King Mongkut of the present Chakri dynasty ordered
reconstruction of this palace for use as a residence during his
occasional visits to Ayutthaya.
The Elephant
Kraal
The Kraal, locally called "Phaniat",
was used for the capture of wild elephants in ancient times.
It is a spacious enclosure made of massive teak logs. Behind
the Kraal is the pavilion housing the royal seat. The last Capture
of elephants in the Kraal occured in May 1903, during King Chulalongkorn's
reign, as a demonstration for royal guests. More
