Ayutthaya and Wat Arun

Wat Arun in Bangkok and the ancient capital of Thailand, Ayutthaya, 80 kilometres north, are spectacular, must see destinations.

Wat Arun

Wat Arun is a Buddhist temple (wat) on the west bank of the Chao Praya River in Bangkok.

: View of main prang (spire).

The temple derives its name from the Hindu god Aruna.

: Portico.

: Minor spire.

Wat Arun is known as the ‘Temple of Dawn’ because the first light of the morning reflects of the surface of the temple with a pearly iridescence. Although the wat has existed since the 17th century its distinctive spires were built only in the early 19th century during the reign of King Rama II.

: Minor prang.

: One of the intricately decorated minor prangs.

: Access to the main spire is restricted.

: Yuyee at one of the minor spires.

It has recently been restored.

Ayutthaya – Ancient Capital

The city of Ayutthaya is about 80 kilometres north of Bangkok. It was the capital of the Kingdom of Siam, and a prosperous international trading port, from 1350 until razed by the Burmese in 1767. The ruins of the old city now form the Ayutthaya Historical Park, an archaeological site that contains palaces, Buddhist temples, monasteries and statues. The park is on an island between three rivers.

It has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site of Outstanding Universal Value.

: The capital of Siam, in 1700 Ayutthaya was home to a million people and was the largest city in the world.

: This Octagonal Pagoda or Chedi is in the east of Ayutthaya temple. It has 20 indented corners

: Interesting juxtaposition of old and new.

: Reconstruction of Ayutthaya is a mammoth task.

: The only part of Ayutthaha temple being actively worked on.

: The main part of the Ayutthaya temple.

: Tassy and Yuyee.

: Ayutthaya ‘tuk tuks’.

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