The Chao Phraya River begins where the Ping and Nan rivers meet in Nakhon Sawan. From there it flows 372 km south towards Bangkok and then into the Gulf of Thailand. In Chainat, the river splits into two, which is the main Chao Phraya River and the Tha Chin River. The Tha Chin River runs parallel with the main river for 35 km until it flows into the Gulf of Thailand. Some small canals split from the main river again in the plains below the Chainat dam.

The Chao Phraya river has been helping Thai people since old times. This river provides transport for boats and allows importing goods. Early settlers moved to what now is Bangkok because of the fertility and because of the fish from the Chao Phraya river. After the fall of Ayutthaya, King Taksin moved the capital city to the western banks of the river to Thonburi, but King Rama 1 decided to move to the eastern banks to what is now Bangkok.

Buffalo Village is located at Sri Prachant District, Suphanburi Province, approx. 110 kms from Bangkok. (Suphan Buri- Chai Nat Road, Amphoe Si Prachan) Thai people have made use of buffaloes since before the time of the Kingdom of Sukhothai, about a thousand years ago. Farmers look after the Buffalos until they died. After each farming season, farmers blessed the buffalos with a ceremony. Farmers showed a lot of respect to the buffalos because they were very helpful in their lives.

Rice growing is another attraction to the Buffalo Village. Visitors also try to farm and pick rice themselves. Steps on rice farming: 1.Put soil in right place using buffalos. 2.Plant seed by farmers. 3.The rice will grow… 4.Harvest on November or December.

BUFFALO SPECIES There are many water buffalos in the Buffalo Village. Including… -Pygme -Albino water buffaloes -Buffalos deformed in birth

Buffalo are used as draft, meat, and diary animals. Their dung is used as a fertilizer and as a fuel when dried. In the Buffalo village, they are used as farming animals. Farmers in the Buffalo Village don’t eat the buffalos because they are very important and special to them.

Buffalo Facts Buffalos have the color of gray or black. Water Buffalos are called ‘water buffalo’ because they spend their life in muddy water unlike some other kind of buffalos. Buffalos live up to years. Buffalos weigh about 1500 pounds.

 The park was declared a UNESCO World heritage site in 1991 after the serious renovation work by the Fine Art department.  The ancient temples and palace were founded by King Ramathibodi I in  This place represents the glory of its pasts and also covers the ruins of Ayutthaya.

 Visit the main attractions, which are..  Wat Phra Si Sanpet : It is known for its three bell-shaped chedis.  Wat Chaiwatthanaram : One of the most photographed places in Ayutthaya.  Wat Phra Ram : The temple is famous for its chedis.  Wat Phu Khao Thong : The white chedi of this temple sits in the plain of rice fields.  Wat Phra Mahathat : One of the most ancient temples in Ayutthaya.

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The museum was named “Chao Sam Phraya National Museum” to commemorate King Borommaracha II or Chao Sam Phraya. Opened in 1970 The ceremony of the first was presided by the King and the Queen on December 26 th, 1961 and the opening ceremony of the second building was presided by the Minister of Education on January 30 th, 1970.

 Take a look at the must see collection of Thai religious art and artifacts from the Ayutthaya period including bronze Buddha images and antiques that are made of gold and decorated with precious jewels.

Location It is located on the Rochana Road, opposite the city wall * On number 2

 Before Ayutthaya period, there was a Thai king named Phra Chao Sai Namphung.  He requested a king of China’s daughter to be his wife so she travelled from China to this area.  When she arrived the king was not there so she was heart broken and finally killed herself by holding her breath.  The king was very sad and had a temple built near her cremation to gain merit for her soul.

 Worship the Luang Por Phanancheong.  Pray for good health and happiness.  See a large, meditating, Buddha image that is entirely covered with gold leaf.  See a very colorful Chinese temple from the 19 th century and renovated in  Feed a very large fish in the Pasak river to make merit.

Wat Phananchoeng is located southeastern area at the confluence of the Chao Phraya and Pa Sak rivers. The easiest way to get to there from central Ayuthaya is by ferry from the pier near Phom Phet Fortress.

 Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon is built by king U Thong, Ayutthaya’s first ruler in 1357 for monks who is returning from Sri Lanka.  It was a school for royal children but as time pass by, Ayutthaya got bigger and Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon became central school for education of religious sciences.  In 1592 Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon had a chedi built by king Naresuan the great to celebrate his victory over the Burmese Crown Prince after the elephant battle.  King Naresuan the great also built reclining Buddha for his meditation place.

 Visit the highlight of this place, a giant chedi, which can be walked into and explored. This chedi is a highest standing building in Ayutthya.  Take a look at the reclining Buddha image.  Visit a large turtle pond and feed them for merit.  Visit the statue of King Naraesuan.

40/3 Moo 3 Tumbol Klong Suanplu Pranakorn Sriayutthaya District, Pranakorn Sriayutthaya Province Thailand

Wat Chaiwatthanaram - Wat Chaiwatthanaram ( วัดไชยวัฒนาราม ) is in Ayutthaya. - Built by King Prasatthong in 1630 AD. - Design is Symmetrical - People find it steep - Lies on West Bank of Chao Praya River. - Wat Chaiwatthanaram ( วัดไชยวัฒนาราม ) is in Ayutthaya. - Built by King Prasatthong in 1630 AD. - Design is Symmetrical - People find it steep - Lies on West Bank of Chao Praya River.

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How to Get to the Temple -You can get to the temple’s ruin by bicycle if you hire one. -You can also ride a Tuk Tuk to the temple from the centre area. I costs 30 baht. -Long tail boat service is also available from Chankasem Palace by paying about 350 baht for a full 1 hour trip.

History This temple was built in 1630 AD and is a memorial of King Prasatthong’s mother’s residence in the area. The name of the temple means “The Temple of long Reign”. It is built in Khymer Style. It is a replica of Angkor Wat in Cambodia. When the Burmese attacked Ayutthaya in 1767 AD, the temple was destroyed and turn into nothing but ruins. It became a subject to looting. The heads of the Buddha Statues were sold in a market. In 1987, the Thai Fine Arts Department constructed it back. Wat Chaiwattanaram is also a UNESCO world heritage site.

Construction It has a 35 metres tall prang as the central along with 4 smaller prangs. The construction stands on a rectangular platform. Half way up the temple, there are hidden entrances in which there are steep stairs. The central platform is surrounded by 8 Chedi shaped Chapels, which are connected to a rectangular cross shaped passage. Along the walls, their used to be 120 sitting Buddha statues, probably painted in black and gold. The ashes of King Prasatthong’s mother was laid in the two Chedis with 12 indented corners.

What you can do There… - You can look at the temples and paintings and visit the various Chedi and places around it. - It is one of the most famous temples in Ayutthaya. - It is one of the most photographed taken place in the National Park.

VIHARN PHRA MONKOL BOPITAH HISTORY  Viharn Phra Monkol Bopitah was originally enshrine outside the Grand palace to the East. King Songtham then transferred it to the West It is also home to the large bronze cast Buddha. But later on the top of the Mondop was burnt down by fire that was cause by thunderbolt. It was eventually rebuild. During the secong great fall of Aytthaya it was also badly destroy by fire. The new one that can be seen to day is not as beautiful as the past one.

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* We hope that you learned a lot from this powerpoint about Ayutthaya!