The History of Ayutthaya
Ayutthaya(Thai: also spelled Ayudhya)
was a Siamese kingdom that existed from 1351 to 1767.
Ayutthaya was friendly towards foreign traders, including
the Chinese, the Vietnamese, the Indians, the Japanese and
the Persians, Spanish, Dutch and French.
in the sixteenth century, it was described by foreign traders as one
of the biggest and wealthiest cities in Asia. The court of
King Narai(1656-88) had strong links with that of King Louis XIV of
France, whose ambassadors compared the city in size and wealth
to Paris.
By 1550, the kingdom controlled cities in the Malay Peninsula, in
Sukhothai, and in parts of Cambodia In foreign stories. Ayutthaya
was called Siam, but many sources say the people of Ayutthaya
called themselves Tai, and their kingdom Krung Thai, "The Tai
capital'. The word 'krung' has different meanings.
The kings of Ayutthaya were absolute monarchs with religious
status. Their authority derived from Hinduism and Buddhism as well
as from natural leadership. The king of Sukhothai would hear the
complaint of any subject who rang the bell at the palace gate. The
king was considered as a father by his people.
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