Ayutthaya (full name Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Thai: พระนครศรีอยุธยา, IPA: [aˡjutʰajaː]; also spelled "Ayudhya") city is the capital of Ayutthaya province in Thailand. The city was founded in 1350 by King U-Thong, who came here to escape a smallpox outbreak in Lop Buri, and proclaimed it the capital of his kingdom, often referred to as the Ayutthaya kingdom or Siam. Ayutthaya was named after the city of Ayodhya in India, the birthplace of Rama in the Ramayana (Thai, Ramakien). In 1767 the city was destroyed by the Burmese army, and the ruins of the old city now form the Ayutthaya historical park, which is recognized internationally as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city was refounded a few kilometers to the east.

It is estimated that Ayutthaya around ca. 1600 had a population of ca. 300,000, and even 1,000,000 around 1700. In that era Ayutthaya belonged thus to the world's largest cities.

Wats (temples) in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Provice

Ayutthaya is 76 kilometers north of Bangkok and boasts numerous magnificent ruins. Such ruins indicate that Ayutthaya was one of Indo - China's most prosperous cities. Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya a Historical Park, a vast stretch of historical site in the heart of Ayutthaya city, has been included in UNESCO's list of world heritage since 13 December ,1991.

Ayutthaya covers 2,556 square kilometers, and is administratively divided into 16 districts (Amphoes). It is conveniently accessible due to good roads and a short distance from Bangkok.

Distance from Ayutthaya city to its districts

Amphoe Tha Rua 60 kms.
Amphoe Nakhon Luang 20 kms.
Amphoe Ban Sai 45 kms.
Amphoe Bang Ban 10 kms.
Amphoe Bang Pa-In 17 kms.
Amphoe Bang Pa Han 13 kms.
Amphoe Phak Hai 29 kms.
Amphoe Pha Chi 35 kms.
Amphoe Lat Bua Luang 65 kms.
Amphoe Wang Noi 20 kms.
Amphoe Sena 20 kms.
Amphoe Bang Sai 34 kms.
Amphoe U-Thai 15 kms.
Amphoe Maharat 25 kms.
Amphoe Ban Phraek 53 kms.

Tags: Thailand, tour, ayutthaya, province

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Revellers at the Candle Festival admire massive wax sculptures

Candle Festival

When to go: The province is at its best in the rainy season, when water fills the cascades in the three National Parks, and locals celebrate the Candle Festival. The popular alms-giving at Wat Thung Sri Muang runs from July 1 to 19.

How to get there: Ubon Ratchathani, 630 kilometres east of Bangkok, is easily reached by road, train (from Hua Lamphong station) or plane (daily Thai Airways and Air Asia flights).

Getting Around: Visitors can get around the town by buses just ฿5 - or cycle rickshaw. There are car rental agencies downtown.

Don't miss: The stunning architecture of Wat Thung Sri Muang. The scenic Mekong River is best viewed at Khong Chiam, 80km from the town. Famous Vipassana temples located in Ubon Ratchathani include Wat Nong Pa Pong and Wat Pa Nanavhat in Warin Chamrap district.

Lodging: Visitors can choose from a range of pleasant hotels overlooking the Mekong River, as well as cheaper accommodation and rental apartments in the city. The most famous hotel group is Tohsang, with its luxury spa resort on the river Khong Chiam district.

from: Daily Express Newspaper

Tags: Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand, festival, Wat, Mekong, River

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Thai fried rice, with common garnishes of cucumber, lime (for squeezing on top), tomato, and green onion served on a bed of lettuce.

Thai fried rice (Thai: ข้าวผัด, Khao Pad or Khao Phad) is a variety of Fried rice that is prepared in the style of central Thai cuisine. In Thai khao is rice) + pad (of or relating to being stir-fried). One of the ways the dish differs from Chinese fried rice is that it is prepared with Thai Jasmine rice instead of regular long-grain rice. It also is much less oily than its Chinese counterpart because of the way its cooked. It normally contains a meat (chicken, pork, beef, shrimp, and crab are all common), egg, onions, and tomatoes. Green onions, cilantro, and fried garlic are then mixed in. However, each individual place varies as it is a ubiquitious dish. Then poured over the concoction are a myriad of seasonings, including soy sauce, sugar, salt, possibly some chili sauce, and the ubiquitous nam pla (fish sauce). These are stirred in, and then the dish is plated and served with accompaniments like cucumber slices, tomato slices, lime and sprigs of green onion.

Other dishes include Coconut Fried Rice (ข้าวผัดมะพร้าว Khao Pad Maprao), and Pineapple Fried Rice (ข้าวผัดสับปะรด Khao Pad Saparod). Khao Op Saparod is a fancier fried rice pineapple dish with raisins and nuts and almost always comes served inside a cutout pineapple.

Tags: Thai fried rice, thai, food

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Baiyoke Tower II

The Baiyoke Tower II, located on 222 Rajprarop Road in the Ratchathewi district of Bangkok, Thailand, is the country's tallest building. It contains the Baiyoke Sky Hotel, the tallest hotel in Southeast Asia and the third-tallest all-hotel structure in the world, with 673 guest rooms.

The building is 304 m (997 ft) tall, or 328 m (1,076 ft) tall if its antenna is included. It has 85 floors, with a public observatory on the 77th floor, a bar called "Roof Top Bar & Music Lounge" on the 83rd floor, and a 360-degree revolving roof deck on the 84th floor. Construction on the building ended in 1997, with the antenna being added two years later, in 1999.

The Baiyoke Sky Hotel website itself lists the height without the antenna as 309 m (1,014 ft), but the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH), Emporis, and SkyscraperPage list it as 304 m (997 ft), with SkyscraperPage stating that this height was supplied by the structural engineering company.

Tags: Baiyoke Tower II, Thailand, tower, building, hotel

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Fish for sale at the animal section

One of the many narrow soi's in the market

Traditional Thai silk at the market

Chatuchak Weekend Market
Chatuchak (or Jatujak; Thai: จตุจักร) weekend market in Bangkok is the largest market in Thailand, and largest of the world. Frequently called J.J., it covers over 35 acres (1.13 km²) and contains upwards of 15,000 stalls. It is estimated that the market receives between 200,000 and 300,000 visitors each day. Most stalls only open on Saturdays and Sundays.

The market offers a wide variety of products including household items, clothing, Thai handicrafts, religious artifacts, collectibles, foods, and live animals.

Plants at the plants section

Porcelain little animals

History
Chatuchak Market owes its origin to Field Marshal Plaek Phibulsongkram, the late prime minister of Thailand (1938-1944, 1948-1957), who came up with the idea of setting up a flea market in every town. As a result, the first flea market in Bangkok was held at Sanam Luang and was called Sanam Luang flea Market. However, there was time when the place was needed for other special functions and the flea market was then relocated to Saranrom Palace and settled there for 8 years. After that, it was moved again to Sanam Chai. But because of the limited space, it had to be moved back to Sanam Luang. In the same year, the government issued a policy to turn Sanam Luang into a public park for citizens of Bangkok and to be the venue to celebrate 200-year-anniversary of Bangkok, which would be held in 1982. Thus, it was decided that the flea market would be held at the Phahonyothin area from then on and it is later called Chatuchak Market after the nearby park under the same name.

Location
Chatuchak market is adjacent to the Kamphaengphet station (MRT) of the Bangkok Metro, or about a 5-minute walk from the Mo Chit (หมอชิต) Skytrain (BTS) station and Suan Chatuchak(Chatuchak Park) station(MRT).

Open
Hours: 08:00 - 18:00 on weekends and Fridays (wholesale day). Plant shops are open Wednesdays and Thursdays too from 07:00 - 18:00.

Tags: Shopping, Thailand, Chatuchak, market, Thai

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Deriving from the Sansakrit language, the word “Songkran“ means to pass or to move into. In this context, the meaning implies to the passing and the moving of the sun, the moon and the other planets into one of the zodiacal orbit. And the Grand Songkran Festival which falls on the Aries indicates the new era of the Thai New Year. Owing to the ancient Indian belief, the Grand Songkran Festival is most appropriate to be the Thai New Year due to the timing of the best season which is known as the spring of India which comes right after the cold season of winter. Also, there are other aspects supporting this belief such as the blooming flowers, the fresh atmosphere of the nature and the livelihood of all the living creatures.

With the great influence from the Indians, the Songkran Festival portrays the typical ways of life of the Thais which involve the agricultural aspects. Free from their regular routine work, the Thai citizens will find time to perform their annual rites of showing respect to their ancestors. The highlight of the festival will include the younger Thais paying respect to their elders by sprinkling their hands with scented water. And in order to welcome the New Year, the celebration will include the delighted colourful local entertainment which, in fact, suitably unite the mutual relationship between members of the family, the society, the nature and surrounding. Therefore, this Songkran Festival has proved to be the most important and grandest festival of the year. Moreover, our neighbouring countries such as Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos have also organised this type of festival.

Since the old days during the Sukhothai period, the Songkran Festival had been practised both in the royal court palace and among the ordinary citizens. However, the size of the celebration had not been as elaborated as of today. Back in those days, civil servants and other government officials would pay homage to the king, and would drink the oath of allegiance to the king or the government, while the king would provide annual salary to all officials. Later on in Ayutthaya period, the festival had been expanded by including the bathing of the Buddha image. Also, the festivities would include the forming of sand pagodas and entertaining celebrations. In the Rattanakosin period, the rituals had been conducted in the similar pattern as those during the Ayutthaya period.

Information from Tourism Authority of Thailand

Tags: Thailand, songkran festival, tour, Thai, food, festival

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