Page 39 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Bangkok

Ayutthaya ❮❮ 37

Wat Phu Khao Thong
St. Joseph’s Cathedral
7 0
1 mile (2 km) NW of Ayutthaya
W of Ayutthaya
Also known as the Golden Mount, A cathedral was built here in the
this temple’s main feature is its 17th century to accommodate the
chedi. It is possible to climb part of needs of foreign merchants, who
the way up the structure to get a were not permitted to enter the
panoramic view of the rice fields. city center except by invita tion.
The cathedral was renovated in the
Wat Puthaisawan
8 19th century and is still functional.
S of Ayutthaya
Located across the river from central
Ayutthaya, the temple has a restored
14th-century prang (tower), which is
surrounded by cloisters that are
packed with Buddha images.
Wat Chai Wattanaram
9
W of Ayutthaya
Built in the 17th century and restored
in the late 20th century, Wat Chai
Wattanaram is modeled on Angkor
Wat in Cambodia, with a central prang
surrounded by eight smaller ones. Interior of St. Joseph’s Cathedral
KING NARAI THE GREAT (R.1656–88)
Narai is best remembered for his TOP 10
warming of diplo matic relations with KINGS OF AYUTTHAYA
Western countries, his sending of 1 Ramathibodi
missions to European courts, and his (r.1351–69)
selection of a foreigner, Constantine 2 Borommaracha I
Phaulkon, as his principal advisor. (r.1370–88)
It was from reports by European
merchants of this era that 3 Borommaracha II
(r.1424–48)
Ayutthaya became known in the
west for its richness and splendor. 4 Borommatrailokanat
(r.1448–88)
Phaulkon encouraged Narai
to balance Dutch interests in 5 Ramathibodi II
the kingdom by inviting a (r.1491–1529)
French delegation to visit. 6 Naresuan
However, many Siamese (r.1590–1605)
suspected, quite correctly 7 Prasat Thong
as it turned out, that the (r.1629–56)
French mission’s main 8 Narai
objective was to convert (r.1656–88)
the king to Christianity, 9 Phra Phetracha
and on Narai’s death French (r.1688–1703)
officials and troops were 10 Phumintharacha
banished from Ayutthaya. (r.1758–67)
King Narai the Great was a usurper, like most
kings of Ayutthaya, and he deposed his uncle,
Si Suthammaracha, to take the throne.

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