Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Wat Chaiwatthanaram, Ayutthaya

Thailand is recently hit by the worst flood in half a century, while the government estimates the total loss is now ballooned close to $4B, disruptions to the global supply chain is still underestimated according to the new sources.

One of the many badly hit province, Ayutthaya, my deep condolence to those who lost their friends and family in this devastating event, and now it has it Bankkok, the city of Angel.

It's hard to imagine this ancient site was so magnificent and beautiful just couple of months back.

Wat Chai, Ayutthaya at normal day
A quick search over the Internet and these images are very mind bothering, it's saddening.

Picture of Wat Chai, Ayutthaya - flooding taken of Internet source




One day, the beauty of the ancient city will be restored once again.

Wat Chaiwatthanaram, Ayutthaya

Ayutthaya, the ancient city of Thailand existed some 600 years ago that housed some of the oldest temples in Thailand, was truly sensational!

Wat Chai, Temple of long reign and glorious era

The central chedi at Wat Chai, Ayutthaya and the broken wall

A scaled down model of the whole picture of the ancient Wat Chai placed just before the entrance

It's always best to travel around the small town by bicycle, which I did back then.

The entry fee was around 50 Baht, Wat Chaiwatthanaram is a 400 years old Buddhist temple situated on the west bank of Chao Phraya River, outside Ayutthaya island.

It was less visited than those in the island, the quiet and peaceful temple was very photogenic, countless of headless Buddha statues lining up against the wall.



The ancient temple was constructed in 1630 by the King of Prasat Thong where it was being used by the royal family to perform religious ceremonies.

The temple's name literally means the Temple of long reign and glorious era. It was designed in Khmer style which was popular at the time.

Many intact pagodas surrounded the central chedi where one could climb from all sides, but it's restricted now to go to the top for a view of what it's like in the central chedi.

Staircase link to the top of the chedi

Ayutthaya is such an amazing ancient city, full of colours, it never lacks the element of excitement if you love cultural walkthrough this is absolutely going to be it! One of the stop you can't be missing!

It's only 4 hours away from the busy Capital of Thailand, it surely be one of my favourite touristy spot.

If anyone is going, I suggest you to stay at least two nights and spend your days roaming through the streets from temple to temples by bicycle.

At night, I usually decided to go on the street for stall food, and spent the rest of the gorgeous night at one of the chilling restaurant pubs with live singer.

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