Ayutthaya was the capital city of Thailand for 417 years. While it was the capital, the city flourished. The former grandeur of Ayutthaya can be seen from the ruins of many palaces and temples found in phra Nakorn si Ayutthaya province. One of the most interesting sites in this province is the ancient city of Ayutthaya. The ancient city consists mainly of three palaces: the Grand Palace, Chankasem Palace and Suan Luang Sobsawan Palace. The Grand Palace, built on the bank of the Lopburi River was known as he old palace The palace buildings are in ruins. Only brick foundations remain to indicate the locations of the throne halls and pavilions and their former splendor Chankasem Palace was known as the Palace of the Front being the residence of the Prince successor 12 The palace was destroyed when Ayutthaya was taken by Burma in 1767. It was left in ruins until the reign of ing Mongkut when it was partly14 restored. The palace was later used as e aya provincial office. 15 Now it is a museum 6 Suan Luang sobsawan Palace, known as the 17"Palace of the Rear 18 of a royal garden