Located on an island at the confluence of the Chao Phraya and Pa Sak rivers, Ayutthaya is the birthplace of the founder of Bangkok, King Rama I.

The name Ayutthaya is derived from Sanskrit अयोध्य - Ayodhya and is from the Thai national epic Ramakien; phra (from Khmer: preah ព្រះ ) is a prefix for a noun concerning a royal person, and nakhon (from Pali: nagara) designates an important or capital city.

The ruins of the old city are preserved in the Ayutthaya historical park,[7] which is recognised internationally as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The ruins, characterised by the prang (reliquary towers) and gigantic monasteries, give an idea of the city's past splendour.

There is a lesser-known floating market in Ayutthaya called Klong Sabua which is more popular with Thai tourists than foreign travellers.

The main attraction is a Water Theatre, said to be the only one of its kind in Thailand, featuring live performances of Thai folk tales and Sepaa musicals.