Thailand: Wat Mahathat with Wat Ratchaburana in the background, Ayutthaya Historical Park

Wat Ratburana (Ratchaburana) was built in 1424 during the reign of King Borom Rachathirat II (Borommarachathirat II).

Ayutthaya (Ayudhya)) was a Siamese kingdom that existed from 1351 to 1767. Ayutthaya was friendly towards foreign traders, including the Chinese, Vietnamese (Annamese), Indians, Japanese and Persians, and later the Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch and French, permitting them to set up villages outside the city walls. In the sixteenth century, it was described by foreign traders as one of the biggest and wealthiest cities in the East. The court of King Narai (1656–1688) had strong links with that of King Louis XIV of France, whose ambassadors compared the city in size and wealth to Paris.

Copyright:

CPA Media Co. Ltd.

Photographer:

David Henley

Credit:

Pictures From Asia