The town is intersected by many canals, and houseboats and shop boats crowd the water. Pagodas and impressive spires abound. The Wat Phra Si Sanphet, a monastery on the grounds of the so-called Wang Luang (Ancient Palace), served as the royal chapel and once contained an image of the Buddha covered in some 375 pounds (170 kg) of gold. Other palaces in Ayutthaya are the Chantharakasem (Chandra...