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A Short History of Ayutthaya: 417 Years, 5 Dynasties, 33 Kings

Ayutthaya was the royal capital of Siam for 417 years, from 1351 to 1767. Over that time it was ruled by 33 kings from five dynasties. This article tells the story in brief — from the founding of the city, through its golden age of trade and its two falls, to the day its ruins became a UNESCO World Heritage Site — and points out where you can still see traces of each period.

5 Dynasties

1351–1409 (not continuous)U Thong dynasty3 kings 1370–1388 and 1409–1569 (not continuous)Suphannaphum dynasty13 kings 1569–1629Sukhothai (Phra Ruang) dynasty7 kings 1629–1688Prasat Thong dynasty4 kings 1688–1767Ban Phlu Luang dynasty6 kings

Before the city, and its founding (1351)

The site of Ayutthaya was not empty land before the city was founded. On the east side of the city island stood a community known as Ayothaya, which was linked to the kingdom of Lavo (Lopburi). The evidence most often cited is the great Buddha image at Wat Phanan Choeng, which according to the chronicles was made in 1324, about 26 years before the city was founded.

As for King U Thong, the city's founder, no one can yet say for certain where he came from. The Thai chronicles say he moved his people here from the town of U Thong because of an epidemic. The 17th-century Dutchman Jeremias van Vliet recorded that he was a Chinese merchant who had lived in Phetchaburi, while Lanna sources connect him with Lavo. Today's textbooks therefore usually explain that Ayutthaya was born from the joining of forces between Lavo and Suphannaphum.

King Ramathibodi I founded Ayutthaya in 1351 on an island where three rivers meet. The location was both a trading crossroads from which ships could easily sail out to sea and a strong defensive position, since it was ringed by rivers.

The first royal palace stood where Wat Phra Si Sanphet is today. In the same reign, Wat Phutthaisawan was built on the site of the Wiang Lek residence where the king had lived before founding the city, and Wat Pa Kaeo was founded — the temple that later became Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon.

The early period: two dynasties take turns on the throne (1351–1488)

The city's early years were a struggle for power between two royal lineages: on one side the U Thong dynasty, whose power base was Lopburi, and on the other the Suphannaphum dynasty from Suphan Buri. The throne changed hands several times until 1409, when Chao Nakhon In of Suphan Buri was crowned as King Intharacha. From then on the Suphannaphum dynasty held power without a break for more than 150 years.

During this period Ayutthaya extended its power in every direction. Its armies captured Angkor, the Khmer capital, in 1431, and the kingdom of Sukhothai was gradually absorbed. King Borommatrailokkanat (r. 1448–1488) separated military from civil administration and fixed the sakdina (official rank) of every noble — reforms that became the foundation of government for several hundred years. He also gave the old palace to the Buddhist order to become Wat Phra Si Sanphet, and built a new palace further to the north.

Trade and war with Hanthawaddy (1488–1569)

In the reign of King Ramathibodi II, the Phra Si Sanphet — a huge standing Buddha image covered in gold — was cast in 1500, and in 1511 a Portuguese envoy arrived, making the Portuguese the first Europeans to establish contact. Later, King Chairacha took about 120 Portuguese soldiers into royal service and granted them land to found a village south of the city island.

In 1548 a Burmese army from Toungoo reached the capital, and Queen Suriyothai was killed on the back of her war elephant in that campaign. Later, in the War of the White Elephants of 1563–1564, Ayutthaya was forced to accept terms of friendship with King Bayinnaung, and in the end the city fell to the armies of Hanthawaddy in 1569 — the first fall of Ayutthaya.

Fifteen years as a vassal state, and independence regained (1569–1605)

After the fall, King Bayinnaung installed King Maha Thammaracha as ruler of Ayutthaya as a vassal king, which marks the beginning of the Sukhothai dynasty. During this period Chandra Kasem Palace (Wang Na, the Front Palace) was built as a residence for Naresuan, and the city walls were extended out to the river's edge.

In 1584 Naresuan declared independence at Mueang Khraeng, and he then defended the capital against Hanthawaddy's armies several times, leading up to the elephant duel of 1593. He died in 1605 while marching his army toward Ava. You can read more on the page devoted to his life.

The golden age of international trade (1605–1688)

Once the great wars had died down, Ayutthaya became one of the busiest port cities in Asia. In the reign of King Ekathotsarot, a Siamese embassy reached The Hague in Holland in 1608. The Dutch East India Company (VOC) set up a trading post, the Japanese established a community on the riverbank, and Chinese, Persian and English merchants all came to trade.

In 1629 a powerful nobleman took the throne as King Prasat Thong, and the following year he built Wat Chaiwatthanaram. King Narai the Great (r. 1656–1688) used Lopburi as a second royal residence and exchanged embassies with France; his envoy Kosa Pan was received by Louis XIV at Versailles in 1686.

The last dynasty and the second fall of Ayutthaya (1688–1767)

At the end of King Narai's reign, Phetracha seized power and took the throne, founding the Ban Phlu Luang dynasty. The court scaled back its dealings with the Western powers, keeping the Dutch as its main partner, but trade with China continued to flourish. The reign of King Borommakot was the last period of peace: a great many temples were restored, and a mission of monks was sent to revive Buddhism in Lanka (Sri Lanka).

Conflicts over the royal succession weakened the kingdom. In 1760 King Alaungpaya's army reached the outskirts of the capital but had to turn back. Then in 1765 the armies of King Hsinbyushin advanced along two routes and besieged the city for about 14 months, until it fell in April 1767. The palaces and temples were burned, and large numbers of people were carried off to Burma.

From ruined city to World Heritage Site — and touring along the timeline

About seven months after the fall, Phraya Tak gathered his forces, came back to free the country, and established Thonburi as the new capital. Ayutthaya was abandoned, and much of the brick from its ancient monuments was later carted away to build Bangkok.

The old city was declared a historical park in 1976, and in 1991 UNESCO inscribed the Historic City of Ayutthaya as a World Heritage Site, as a testimony to the development of Thai art.

If you would like to see Ayutthaya in chronological order, try planning your route by era as below, then tap each place on the site's map.

Before and at the founding of the city: Wat Phanan Choeng, Wat Phutthaisawan, Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon, Wat Mahathat
The Suphannaphum dynasty: Wat Ratchaburana, Wat Phra Si Sanphet, the Ancient Royal Palace, Queen Suriyothai Chedi
The age of Naresuan: Chandra Kasem Palace, Wat Worachettharam, the King Naresuan Monument at Phu Khao Thong Field
The age of international trade: the Portuguese Settlement, Baan Hollanda, the Japanese Settlement, Wat Chaiwatthanaram
Late Ayutthaya: Wat Phu Khao Thong, restored in the reign of King Borommakot, and Wat Na Phra Men

All 33 kings, in order

No.	King	Reign	Dynasties	Key events
1	King Ramathibodi I (King U Thong)	1351–1369	U Thong dynasty	Founded Ayutthaya, built his palace where Wat Phra Si Sanphet stands today, and built Wat Phutthaisawan and Wat Pa Kaeo.
2	King Ramesuan	1369–1370 and 1388–1395	U Thong dynasty	Reigned twice: the first time he handed the throne to Khun Luang Pha-ngua; the second time he seized power back from King Thong Lan. Some versions of the chronicles say he built Wat Phra Ram, Wat Mahathat and Wat Phu Khao Thong.
3	King Borommaracha I (Khun Luang Pha-ngua)	1370–1388	Suphannaphum dynasty	Formerly ruler of Suphan Buri. He made war on Sukhothai until it submitted as a dependency, and died on the way back from Kamphaeng Phet.
4	King Thong Lan	1388 (7 days)	Suphannaphum dynasty	Son of Khun Luang Pha-ngua. After seven days on the throne he was overthrown by King Ramesuan, who had him executed at Wat Khok Phraya.
5	King Ramrachathirat	1395–1409	U Thong dynasty	Son of King Ramesuan. He was overthrown by Chao Nakhon In of Suphan Buri and sent to live at Pathakhucham, bringing the U Thong dynasty to a close.
6	King Intharacha (Chao Nakhon In)	1409–1424	Suphannaphum dynasty	Had personally led embassies to China, and brought the Suphannaphum dynasty back to rule Ayutthaya without interruption.
7	King Borommaracha II (Chao Sam Phraya)	1424–1448	Suphannaphum dynasty	Came to the throne after his two elder brothers were killed fighting on elephant-back. He had Wat Ratchaburana built and captured Angkor, the Khmer capital, in 1431.
8	King Borommatrailokkanat (Trailok)	1448–1488	Suphannaphum dynasty	Separated the military and civil administration, fixed the sakdina ranks, gave the old palace to become Wat Phra Si Sanphet, and lived at Phitsanulok during the war with Lanna.
9	King Borommaracha III (Intharacha II)	1488–1491	Suphannaphum dynasty	Looked after Ayutthaya while his father lived at Phitsanulok, and led an army that captured Tavoy (Dawei).
10	King Ramathibodi II	1491–1529	Suphannaphum dynasty	Built chedis and cast the Phra Si Sanphet image at Wat Phra Si Sanphet. It was in his reign that Portugal became the first European nation to send an envoy.
11	King Borommaracha IV (No Phutthangkun)	1529–1533	Suphannaphum dynasty	Died of smallpox after only a short reign.
12	King Ratsadathirat	1533–1534 (about 5 months)	Suphannaphum dynasty	Came to the throne as a child and was executed after about five months.
13	King Chairacha	1534–1546	Suphannaphum dynasty	Took about 120 Portuguese soldiers into royal service and granted them land for a village. He died after a campaign against Chiang Mai.
14	King Yot Fa (Kaeo Fa)	1546–1548	Suphannaphum dynasty	Came to the throne at about 10 or 11 years old, with Thao Si Sudachan governing on his behalf, and was done away with when Khun Worawongsathirat rose to power.
15	King Maha Chakkraphat	1548–1568	Suphannaphum dynasty	Early in his reign came the war in which Queen Suriyothai was killed. After the War of the White Elephants he had to accept terms of friendship with Hanthawaddy, and he died while the capital was under siege.
16	King Mahinthrathirat	1568–1569	Suphannaphum dynasty	King at the time of the first fall of Ayutthaya. He was taken away to Hanthawaddy and died on the journey.
17	King Maha Thammaracha	1569–1590	Sukhothai (Phra Ruang) dynasty	Formerly Khun Phirenthorathep, of Phra Ruang descent. He ruled Ayutthaya as a vassal of Hanthawaddy and had Chandra Kasem Palace built as Naresuan's residence.
18	King Naresuan the Great	1590–1605	Sukhothai (Phra Ruang) dynasty	Declared independence in 1584, won the elephant duel of 1593, and died at Mueang Hang while leading an army toward Ava.
19	King Ekathotsarot	1605–1610	Sukhothai (Phra Ruang) dynasty	Concentrated on running the kingdom and on trade, sent an embassy as far as Holland, and, according to the Fine Arts Department's sign, built Wat Worachettharam.
20	King Si Saowaphak	1610–1611	Sukhothai (Phra Ruang) dynasty	Son of King Ekathotsarot. He reigned for little more than a year before he was killed; his reign dates vary from source to source.
21	King Songtham	1611–1628	Sukhothai (Phra Ruang) dynasty	In his reign a Buddha footprint was discovered in Saraburi, the Japanese played a role at court, and a treaty was made with the Dutch.
22	King Chetthathirat	1628–1629	Sukhothai (Phra Ruang) dynasty	Son of King Songtham. He was overthrown by Okya Si Worawong and executed at Wat Khok Phraya.
23	King Athittayawong	1629 (about 36 days)	Sukhothai (Phra Ruang) dynasty	Came to the throne as a child and was deposed after about 36 days, bringing the Sukhothai dynasty to a close.
24	King Prasat Thong	1629–1656	Prasat Thong dynasty	A nobleman who seized power and took the throne. He had Wat Chaiwatthanaram built, crushed the Japanese community and allowed the Dutch to choose a site for their trading post.
25	King Chao Fa Chai	1656	Prasat Thong dynasty	Eldest son of King Prasat Thong. Soon after coming to the throne he was overthrown and executed by Si Suthammaracha and Narai.
26	King Si Suthammaracha	1656 (about 2 months)	Prasat Thong dynasty	Younger brother of King Prasat Thong. After about two months on the throne he was overthrown by Narai.
27	King Narai the Great	1656–1688	Prasat Thong dynasty	Lived at Chandra Kasem Palace before becoming king, used Lopburi as a second royal residence and exchanged embassies with France.
28	King Phetracha	1688–1703	Ban Phlu Luang dynasty	Born at Ban Phlu Luang in Suphan Buri and formerly head of the Royal Elephant Department, he seized power at the end of King Narai's reign and forced the French troops to withdraw from Bangkok.
29	King Suea (Sanphet VIII)	1703–1708	Ban Phlu Luang dynasty	Began digging the Khok Kham canal and restored the Phra Mongkhon Bophit image after it was struck by lightning.
30	King Thai Sa (Sanphet IX)	1708–1733	Ban Phlu Luang dynasty	Finished digging the Mahachai canal and restored Wat Maheyong; his younger brother restored Wat Kudi Dao during this reign.
31	King Borommakot	1733–1758	Ban Phlu Luang dynasty	The last peaceful period of Ayutthaya. He restored many temples, such as Wat Phu Khao Thong, and sent a mission of monks to revive Buddhism in Lanka.
32	King Uthumphon	1758	Ban Phlu Luang dynasty	Soon handed the throne to his elder brother and became a monk, which earned him the name Khun Luang Ha Wat. He was carried off to Burma after the fall of the city.
33	King Ekkathat	1758–1767	Ban Phlu Luang dynasty	His reign faced King Alaungpaya's army in 1760 and ended with the fall of Ayutthaya to King Hsinbyushin's armies in 1767.

Where historians still disagree

The founding year: Thai textbooks use BE 1893, and the date given in the chronicles works out to 4 March 1351. That is why some sources write 1350 and others 1351. The difference comes from the old way of counting the new year, which began around April — it is not a case of conflicting evidence.
The number of kings: the standard list counts 33 kings, counting King Ramesuan only once and leaving out Khun Worawongsathirat, who held power briefly in 1548. Some lists do include Khun Worawongsathirat, which gives a total of 34.
King U Thong's origins: the Thai chronicles say he came from the town of U Thong; van Vliet's account says he was a Chinese merchant from Phetchaburi; Lanna sources connect him with Lavo; and some books suggest he was a prince who already ruled an area near Ayutthaya. There is still no consensus.
The dynasty names: all five names are labels that historians use to group the kings, and some scholarly work has questioned how closely the division into a U Thong dynasty and a Suphannaphum dynasty matches what really happened.
The date of the second fall: most sources give 7 April 1767, but some chronologies place it in late April, so it is best simply to say that the city fell in April 1767.

Frequently asked questions

How many kings did Ayutthaya have?

According to the standard list, 33 kings from five dynasties — U Thong, Suphannaphum, Sukhothai, Prasat Thong and Ban Phlu Luang — with King Ramesuan, who reigned twice, counted as one king.

How long was Ayutthaya the capital?

417 years, from 1351 to 1767.

How many times did Ayutthaya fall?

Twice. The first time was in 1569, to the armies of King Bayinnaung; King Naresuan declared independence in 1584. The second was in April 1767, to the armies of King Hsinbyushin, and it ended Ayutthaya's role as the capital.

When did Ayutthaya become a World Heritage Site?

UNESCO inscribed the Historic City of Ayutthaya as a World Heritage Site in 1991.

Sources

Last updated 10 November 2026