With regards to the history and culture of Thailand, Ayutthaya is one of the most important cities in the country. This fact is evident in the number of ruins and cultural attractions which are dotted around the city. This ancient capital once glittered with gold and led the way in commerce and trade. Unfortunately, the sacking of the city by the Burmese led to it being destroyed forever.

While many travellers choose to visit Ayutthaya for a day trip while in Bangkok, the city is a great destination in its own right. There are countless ruins, some working temples, elephants, museums and excellent restaurants and bars. Hotels and guest houses are abundant, with some noteworthy chains represented here. For those not after such lavish accommodation, you will also find mid-range hotels which are ideal for the family and offer excellent facilities.

For architectural fans, Ayutthaya is in a class above many cities. The style of most buildings is a fascinating mix of Khmer and early Sukothai style; although many of the buildings now lay in ruins. You will find temple ruins throughout the city alongside headless Buddhas and crumbling pagodas. These ruins is what draws most people to the city as it is possible to get a glimpse into how spectacular Ayutthaya would have been during its golden era.

Ayutthaya is not home to a frenetic nightlife with countless bars and clubs. It is suited to people who enjoy good food, quiet drinks by the river and traditional Thai shows. There are of course the ubiquitous karaoke bars that are found across the country. Restaurants are aplenty and to savour the Thai atmosphere while you are here, visit a local eatery and try some delicious Thai dishes.

The city is one large museum preserving its ancient past and using this past to help rebuild its future. It is one of Thailand’s most important historical cities and as soon as you arrive, you will understand why.

Since Ayuthaya is a day trip from Bangkok, many visitors prefer the comfort and selection by returning to stay in the capital. Ayuthaya itself has a modest selection of hotels, mainly family run three star establishments. There is however a few comfortable choice of you prefer to stay several nights to truly explore this World Heritage site properly. They are modestly priced and some, such as the River View Place have a waterfront location.

The city of Ayutthaya was founded in 1351 by a man called U Thong. He established this city on the banks of the Chao Phraya River. It is believed that U Thong was the son of a Chinese merchant who had married into local aristocracy and it was this that allowed him to create this new thriving settlement, under his new name of Ramathibodi.

In 1378, Ayuthaya conquered Sukhothai and became the capital of the entire Thai kingdom and in 1431; the Ayutthayan army defeated the Khmer kingdom of Angkor Wat. Ayuthaya became the most important power in Southeast Asia.

The move of the Thai capital from Sukothai to Ayuthaya has remained very important in the history of the country. The move to the capital closer to the coast and as a result, Thai people became more commerce oriented and began prospering through trade.

King U Thong was the first of 34 kings in his line, with King Ekathat (1758-67) being the last. This royal lineage lasted for over 400 years and ended with a sacking by the Burmese.

The Burmese army invaded Ayuthaya in 1765 and while it took them two years to gain control, they made sure that the city was completely destroyed. Temples, statues, manuscripts and official memorandums were all lost forever. This resulted in a very fast decline of the city, which found itself under Burmese control for just over two years.

In 1769, Phaya Taksin (a Chinese-Thai general) appointed himself as king in 1769 and established a new capital, Thonburi, on the Chao Phraya River. This did not help Ayutthaya and the city was never restored to its former glory.

Today, Ayutthaya is famed for its relics and reminders of its distinguished past and sees a great number of people arrive in the city to see what’s left of this ancient Thai capital.

Despite its close proximity to Bangkok, Ayutthaya does not suffer from the extreme humidity as the capital. This is mainly due to the fact that much fewer people live there. It does however see the same three seasons as Bangkok: hot, cool and rainy.

Summer temperatures (March through until June) sees highs of up to 40°C and high humidity levels. While it is not as humid as in Bangkok, temperatures can still feel very uncomfortable. April is the hottest month of the year, so air con is a must if you are travelling during this time.

It is slightly cooler in the months of November to February, with temperatures dropping to about 20°C. This is one of the best times to visit the city as sightseeing is a lot more enjoyable in the cooler weather.

Rainy season runs from July through until October and can see heavy showers and occasional flooding. While temperatures are cooler than at the height of summer, it can still be very hot and muggy. This being said, the sun will still shine on many days, with showers taking place early evening, so sightseeing can still be enjoyed.