Ayutthaya or Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya is situated 76 kms north of Bangkok; the city is delimited by the Chao Phraya, Pa Sak and Lop Buri Rivers. Ayutthaya was the capital of the Siamese empire for 417 years. The city was founded in 1350 by King Ramathibodi I, in these times it was a hub for international trade. In 1767, the city was sacked by the Burmese.

Nowadays, the area has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site (since 13 December 1991). The Ayutthaya historical

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	Ayutthaya
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park has magnificent structures, with grand, brooding redbrick ruins.

The best ways to explore Ayutthaya is on foot or bicycle, but take a travel guide so you know what you are seeing. The city is easily reachable by train or bus from Bangkok. A yearly festival, Ayutthaya World Heritage Day, is held in December and inside the historical park.

Address: 72 kilometers north of Bangkok, Ayutthaya 10500 Thailand
Telephone: +66 35 226 0060 (Tourist Information Center)

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