Ayutthaya Historical Park, located in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya province, Thailand, includes the ruins of the ancient city of Ayutthaya. The city was built by King Ramathibodi I in 1351, but evidence suggests it may be much older. During the Mon Dvaravati period, the area was already inhabited. Around 850 AD, the Khmers occupied the region and created a stronghold named Ayodhya, after a holy Hindu city in India. The early history of Ayutthaya is linked to this Khmer settlement. Prince Damrong also noted the existence of a city called Ayodhya, founded by the Khmers from Lopburi where three rivers meet. An excavation map shows signs of an ancient baray (water reservoir) near Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon, possibly built on a former Khmer temple complex.

The main evidence for Ayutthaya’s early history comes from the Śri Canāśa Inscription K.949, dated to the 850s during the reign of Bhagadatta, a ruler of Qiān Zhī Fú who governed Si Thep. This inscription has been used to support claims about Ayutthaya’s early existence. However, some scholars believe the inscription may have been moved to Ayutthaya much later, as no clear archaeological materials from that time have been found there. The earliest known written mention of Ayutthaya appears in the Thai Northern Chronicle, which credits its founding to a nobleman from the north in 944.

In 1569, the city was captured by the Burmese. Though not destroyed, it lost many valuable and artistic items. Ayutthaya remained the capital of Thailand until its destruction by the Burmese in 1767.

In 1969, Thailand’s Fine Arts Department began restoring the ruins. The project expanded after the site was designated a historical park in 1976. Part of the park was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991.

Park sites

The following monuments are found in the protected area of the Historic City of Ayutthaya, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1991. The following sites are found outside the protected area but still located within the Ayutthaya Historical Park.

Gallery

• Ruins inside Ayutthaya Historical Park
• Wat Phra Si Sanphet
• Chedi of Wat Phra Sri Sanphet
• Wat Mahathat
• Buddha Head at Wat Mahathat
• Buddha Head in Tree Roots at Wat Mahathat
• Reclining Buddha at Wat Lokayasutharam
• Wat Ratchaburana
• Buddha on the Prang of Wat Ratchaburana
• Wat Yanasen
• Wat Phra Ram
• Wat Thammikarat
• Altar at Wat Chaiwatthanaram
• Headless Statues
• Wat Chaiwatthanaram