Ayutthaya

Saturday—Sunday January 18—19, 2014

On Saturday, we took the SkyTrain to the Chatuchak Weekend Market. The market’s web site says it is one of “the world’s largest weekend markets.” We cannot verify the claim that there are more than 15,000 booths, but having walked through it, that could be an accurate number.

This photo gives a good idea of what the market is like—packed with people and merchandise. 

Besides clothes, antiques, ceramics and books, there are plastic flowers for sale, too.

A couple of taxis are lined up, waiting for customers. A table with the King’s photo is on the right.

One thing we were looking for, but did not see, were fruits and vegetables. We spent the afternoon at our hotel’s swimming pool and while doing some reading, discovered that the Chatuchak Weekend Market is across the street from a large everyday fruit and vegetable market. That market isn’t on the Weekend map, because it is open every day of the week. Logical, but vexatious.

Here is a map showing the location of the Chauchak Weekend Market.

Back by our hotel, Long–Tail boats are a common sight on the river. The engines are from automobiles, and the propeller is on the end of a long drive shaft. 

On Sunday morning, our guide drove us north to the island city of Ayutthaya, the ancient capital of Siam. Ayutthaya’s symbol on the map is a fire—the city was torched by the Burmese in 1766 and abandoned afterward.

Ayutthaya was founded in 1350, and, according to what we have read, it had a population of about one million people in 1700.

After feeding turtles to provide us with good fortune, our first stop was at Wat Yai Chaimongkhon, just across the river from Ayutthaya Island.

There are different spellings of place names in Thailand. On the map, the same wat is Wat Yai Chai Mongkol. However, if you change the scale by clicking in the negative sign, the spelling changes to Wat Yai Chaimongkhon!

The principal stupa is big. Visitors can be seen on the lower staircase.

Here is one wall (of several) of dressed Buddha statues.

While it is not historical, this is a beautiful grafting job.

Our next stop was at the Royal Palace/Wat Phrasisanphet, west of the island’s central lake.

The stupas were built in the 15th century.

Some of the ruins look Greek or Roman.

Wat Mahathat, just east of the big lake in the center of the island, was next. It was founded in the 14th century.

Here is another wall of Buddha statues, but not in the same condition as those at Wat Yai Chaimongkhon (above).

A ficus tree has grown around a fallen head.

After lunch, we took a boat tour around the island. Here is a vehicle ferry crossing the Chao Phraya River.

Our last stop was at Wat Chai Watthanaram, which is just southwest of the island, across the Chao Phraya River. 

Two ruined Buddha statutes, gazing at the destruction at Wat Chai Watthanaram.

The wat has a Khmer–looking tower.

During the weekend, we visited the Chatuchak Weekend Market and took a guided trip north to Ayutthaya, the old capital of Siam.

Next—Luang Prabang, Laos.