But Ayutthaya's ever threatening enemy was the army of Burma, which over the centuries tried many attacks, until it managed to occupy the Siamese capital in 1549 and finally sacked and burned Ayutthaya in 1767. The Grand Palace with its golden halls and pavilions was destroyed, many temples were burned, the great standing Buddha of Phra Si Sanphet was melted down. The Burmese carried away its more than 170 kilos of gold.
Only few Ubosots and Viharns (temples) survived the Burmese attack in 1767. One of those is Wat Na Phra Men. The other remains of the former glory are ruins, today known as Ayutthaya Historical Park, listed as a Unesco World Heritage site. Some temples are floodlit at night: Wat Phraram, Wat Phra Si Sanphet, Wat Ratchaburana, Wat Mahathat and Wat Chaiwattanaram (the most fantastic look in the night).