Sadly, there are few intact Buddha statues and only a handful of what was once 400 temples have been restored. However, it is still possible to get a real sense of how magnificent Ayuthaya must have been in its prime.
This Buddha head in the tight embrace of a banyan tree is one of the most enduring icons of Ayuthaya.
|The corncob-shaped structure in the background is a Khymer-style prasat (residence of a king or god). Earlier in the day I saw one at Bang Pa-In Palace that had been built by King Chulalongkorn in 1880 and dedicated to King Prasart Thong of Ayuthaya.|
|Many of the buildings are on quite a strong lean and would definitely not survive volcanic and seismic activity, such as Indonesia experiences in Jogya, near the temples of Pranbaran and Borobudur.|
|Some of the smaller statues at Wat Na Phra, one of the few temples to survive, because the Burmese army used it as their base.|
|This green sandstone Buddha in a shrine adjoiing Wat Na Phra Meru is Sri Lankan and 1500 years old.|
|Making offerings at the entrance of the temple housing the Sri Lankan Buddha.|
|In the same entry as above, a trio of adenium.|
|Detail of a niche on the exterior of the main building Wat Na Phra Meru|
|The reclining Buddha (Budhasaiyart) at Wat Lokayasutha|
|Lotus offerings to the reclining Buddha|
|A nearby vegetable patch|
|More lotus for sale as offerings at the adjoining stalls.|