Ayutthaya

From Bangkok we headed north to Ayutthaya, the former capital of the Thai kingdom. It was completely destroyed hundreds of years ago, but the remains are still impressive.

Ruins at Ayutthaya

According to the story we were told, Ayutthaya was the longstanding capital of the Thai kings. They were in constant battle with their neighbors, the most powerful of which were the Burmese and the Khmers. While the Khmer Empire dominated much of the region (from their capital in Angkor), around 1431 the Thais sacked Angkor, taking dancers, architects, and other artisans back to their capital. As a result, many of the buildings in Ayutthaya have similarities with the more famous buildings of Angkor Wat.

An Angkor-style temple

Jami with one of the most famous symbols of Ayutthaya – the head of a Buddha statue that has become wrapped by the roots of a Bodhi tree.

Three stupas

The buildings that remain are beautiful.  The only remains that have survived are of the religious temples and buildings, which were gorgeously crafted.

But those who live by the sword die by the sword, and after years of conflict, in 1767 Ayutthaya was in turn sacked and completely destroyed by the Burmese. Buildings were toppled, statues’ heads chopped off, and most of the citizens killed. The King escaped, however, and fled south to land not conquered by the Burmese, where he founded a new capital in the safety of the marshland – Bangkok (not exactly, but close enough).

Former temple halls are ruins

One of the few Buddha statues whose head was not removed

Exploring the grounds

Burma paid for this temple to be built, as part of an apology for sacking the city centuries earlier.

The modern town of Ayutthaya was small and nice enough, with a chill tourist section of guesthouses and bars. Our favorite aspect of the town was its fantastic night market – a short section of street packed with food vendors selling everything from soup, to fish, to crepes, to fried chicken, to sushi.

Jami looking through the night market

Throwing the eggs in

Vegetables and soups came in plastic bags

Making designs for crepes

Lots of fish

And mini-sushi

While not needing anything longer than a day to visit, Ayutthaya was a nice break from Bangkok, and a good chance to learn about early Thai history.  Now on to one of our most anticipated cities – Chiang Mai!

A couple seeing the sights by elephant