Commenting on Business Insider’s rating, the deputy governor of the city said Ayutthaya had scored highly as it had been the country’s capital for 417 years. Due to its location at a river confluence, Ayutthaya was also an important trade post in days of yore.
Ayutthaya also garnered kudos with its impact on current Thai culture as well as with its architecture and agricultural legacy. In the early 1700s, Ayutthaya had a population of one million and was said by visiting traders and diplomats to be the planet’s most beautiful town.
Ayutthaya proved to be so attractive that it was invaded and largely destroyed by a marauding Burmese army in 1767. The Thai monarchy shifted their capital south to Thonburi and then, fifteen years later, to Bangkok on the opposite side of the Chao Phraya River.
Ayutthaya Historical Park is close to modern-day Ayutthaya and most of the remaining architecture from its past is contained within its boundaries. Enough of the pagodas, chedis and palaces remain to give an idea of the city’s former splendour. Ayutthaya is one of the most popular daytrips for tourists visiting Bangkok.
Ayutthaya ranked as global historic great
News in Asia
A leading global online news website has named Thailand’s Ayutthaya as the 13th greatest city in world history. Business Insider compiled a list of 16 cities which are considered to have had important effects on history and culture