#Ayutthaya

#Ayutthaya

Ayutthaya was the capital of Thailand (then called Siam) from 1350 until it was sacked by the Burmese army in 1767. This period of Thai history is now usually refered as the Ayutthaya period or Ayutthaya kingdom. The ruins of the old capital in the Ayutthaya historical park are now UNESCO World Heritage Site. The province is also home to the Bang Pa-in summer palace complex. Originally named Krung Kao (กรุงเก่า). the province was renamed to Phra Nakhon Sri Ayutthaya in 1919 (http://en.wikipedia.org/). The province is subdivided in to sixteen districts (amphone), communes (tambon) and 1328 villages (muban). There are two districts which have the same English name ; however this is only because the different pronunciation and thus different spelling in Thai gets lost in romanization. Ayutthaya is unique among the provinces of Thailand in that the district of its capital city is not called Amphoe Mueang (Ayutthaya), as the common scheme would suggest, but rather Amphoe Phra Nakorn Sri Ayutthaya. Phra Nakhon Sri Ayutthaya is located in the flat river plain of the Chao Phraya river valley. The presence of the Lop Buri and Pa Sak River make the province a major rice farming area.

#Lop Buri Province

#Lop Buri

Lop Buri hasbeen a town of cultural diversity and continuity for more than 3,000 years since the pre-historic period. It is a place where a lot of historical evidence has been discovered. During the Dvaravati period (the 6th-11th century), Lop Buri had been under the control of the Mons and Khmers until the 14th century when the Thai possessed more power in this land. During the reign of King U Thong, the first King of Ayutthaya, Lop Buri was the Mueang Luk Luang - the prince's town. King U Thong appointed Phra Ramesuan, his eldest son to rule Lop Buri in 1350. When King U Thong pass away in 1369, the prince had to give the throne to his uncle who ascended to the throne with the royal name of "Phra Borom Rachathirat I". The Price still governed Lop Buri afterwards. In 1388, Phra Borom Rachathirat I pass away and Phra Ramesuan went to the throne in Ayutthaya for secon time. Later, the significance of Lop Buri decreased until the reign of King Narai the Great (1656-1688). During that period, Lop Buri was greatly restored due to the invasion of the Dutch who traded with the Thais. King Narai realised that Ayuthaya was not quite safe from the blockade and fire of the enemies in wartime. Therefore, the King had Lop Buri re-constructed as the second capital city due to its strategic suitability. To do as such, King Narai the Great received assistance from French and Italian architects. The Palace and the battle fortresses were strongly built as a barrier line. The King also mostly resided in Lop Buri and allowed the diplomatic corps and foreigners to pay courtesy calls in this town on several occasions.

Pa Sak Jolasid Dam (เขื่อนป่าสักชลสิทธิ์) is located at Ban Kaeng Suea Ten, Nong Bua Sub-district. The dam's name was granted by King Rama IX. It was constructed under the Pa Sak River Basin Development Project under His Majesty's Royal Initiative. It is the longest dam whose core is made of clay in Thailand, with the length of 4,860 metres and 36.50 metres high. The distinctive points of the dam are the sightseeing point on its ridge, Pa Sak River Basin Museum, presenting the knowledge of nature and culture. The official opening ceremony of the dam was on 25 November, 1999. For more information, please contact Tel. 0-3649-4031-4.

Lop Buri Sunflower Bloming Festival (งานทุ่งตะวันบานที่ลพบุรี) takes place around December of every year because it is the period when the sunflowers are in full bloom. At present, Lop Buri possesses hundred of thousands of rai of sunflowers. Before the harvest, the sunflowers will creat a yellow field, being another splendid tourist attraction of Lop Buri. Interesting activities in the fair include floral decorated float processions, sales of products from sunflowers, and many kinds of rally areas. (http://wikitravel.org/)

To get there : From Mueang Lop Buri, take the Lop Buri - Khok Tum - Phatthana Nikhom route (highway No. 3017) for 48 ilometres. There is the Lop Buri - Wang Muang minibus, passing in front of Pa Sak Jolasid Dam. The bus leaves Lop Buri Bus Terminal from 6.00 a.m. - 5.30 p.m.

#Bangkok, Thailand

#Bangkok

Travelling Thailand wound not be complete without visiting Bangkok. As the Nation's Capital with an estimated population of over 10 million (including the neighboring provinces), this city is by far the largest in the country. The city is divided into 50 districts or khet but for tourists and those who are new in the place, 6 divisions would be more useful. These are Ratchadaphisek in the northeast section of the city, Sukhumvit in the southeast, Silom in the south, Thonburi in the west, Rattanakosin in the central north, and Phahonyothin in the north. The whole Bangkok district would give you a diverse taste of culture, history, religion, modernity, and fast-phase life. You can actually witness how all these blend together to comprise the whole Bangkok package. Buddhist temples, historical museums, towering buildings, contemporary restaurants and hotels, shopping centrers, canals and rivers, and food make Bangkok a one of kind city in Southeast Asia.