Private Ancient city of Ayutthaya Shore Excursion

Laem Chabang is a port city in Chonburi Province, Thailand. It includes tambon Bang Lamung of Bang Lamung District, the tambons Bueng, Surasak, Thung Sukhla, and parts of Nong Kham of Si Racha District. As of 2006 it had a population of 61,801. The town has grown up around the port, but also serves as a major stop on the coastal highway linking Pattaya and Bangkok via Sukhumvit Road . The town is also known for hosting a Japanese retirement community with specialty stores geared towards them.

The Ayutthaya Kingdom was a Siamese kingdom that existed from 1350 to 1767. Ayutthaya was friendly towards foreign traders, including the Chinese, Vietnamese, Portuguese, Indians, Japanese, Koreans, Persians, and later Spaniards, Dutch, English, and French, permitting them to set up villages outside the walls of the capital, also called Ayutthaya.

Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon or the Great Monastery of Auspicious Victory is located off the city island in the southeastern area of Ayutthaya in present Phai Ling Sub-district. In the past it bears other names as Wat Pa Kaeo, Wat Chao Phraya Thai and Wat Yai Chaiya Mongkhon.

Admission on Wednesday to Sunday. The Chao Sam Phraya National Museum on the historical island of Ayutthaya exhibits artifacts discovered during excavation works and restorations of ancient temples in Ayutthaya. The museum is named after Chao Sam Phraya, King of Ayutthaya in the 15th century. Exhibited are several thousand items including Buddha images, votive tablets, gold artifacts and other treasures recovered from the crypts of several temples.

Admission from Monday to Tuesday Ayutthaya Historical Study Centre is funded by the Japanese Government and dedicated to research into Ayutthaya's history (focusing on its era as the nation's capital). The centre houses a museum and provides a range of information alongside a well-stocked library covering all aspects of the city's history. The displays are very impressive and cover the development of the city and the traditions of the area. This is a good visit, but bear in mind that although the content of the study centre is varied, it does revolve around a single theme - Ayutthaya. If you have limited time a visit to the Study Centre might not be as high a priority as other sites unless you a keen student of Thai history.