Ayutthaya

is one of Thailand's historical and majestic highlights. Serving as the Thai capital for 417 years until 1767, it was once glorified as one of the biggest cities in Southeast Asia. During the 17th century, most foreign visitors to Ayutthaya, traders or diplomats alike, claimed Ayutthaya to be the most illustrious and glittering city that they had ever visited. The Kingdom of Ayutthaya reached its apex in terms of sovereignty, military might, wealth, culture, and international commerce in the 16th century when the Kingdoms territory was extended far beyond present-day Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar. Ayutthaya even had diplomatic relations with Louis XIV of France and was courted by Dutch, Portuguese, English, Chinese and Japanese merchants.

Today visitors can explore the architecture and the Thai history at the Ayutthaya Historical Park, an extensive historical site that has been included in UNESCO's World Heritage list since 13 December, 1991.