Travel Like The Wind : Suchart Choolee
In the searing heat of the Thai sun, as I stood before these ancient ruins, a sense of pride swelled within me. I watched tourists from distant lands—people who had crossed horizons and oceans—come seeking beauty, meaning, and history that belong to our soil, our spirit.
Wat Ratchaburana, or The Temple of the Royal Restoration, stands in the heart of Ayutthaya, Thailand’s ancient capital, as a monument of faith, memory, and royal devotion. Built in 1424 during the reign of King Borommarachathirat II, the temple was constructed to honor his two elder brothers who tragically lost their lives in a duel for the throne. The grand central prang rises gracefully above the ancient city, once containing precious treasures—gold artifacts, sacred Buddha images, and intricate murals that reflected the height of Ayutthaya’s artistry and spiritual devotion.
When Ayutthaya fell to the Burmese in 1767, the city was reduced to ashes, and the treasures of Wat Ratchaburana were plundered. Yet, despite centuries of ruin, the spirit of the temple endures. The prang still stands tall against the sky, weathered but proud, whispering stories of faith and resilience through its ancient stones. To descend into the temple’s crypt is to journey through time—to feel the cool air of history and to touch the quiet reverence left behind by generations past.
To walk among these ruins is to listen to the voice of Thailand’s soul. Each brick and carving speaks of impermanence, perseverance, and pride. Wat Ratchaburana is not merely a relic of the past—it is a living reminder of our heritage and strength. In that moment, I felt that a nation is not defined by borders or monuments, but by the spirit that endures within its people. Wat Ratchaburana stands as a timeless testament to who we were, who we are, and who we continue to become—steadfast, peaceful, and forever moving forward, like the wind.
Wat Mahathat in Ayutthaya:
Opening hours: Daily from 08:00 to 17:00 (some sources say until 18:00). Rehlat+2Ayutthaya+2
Entrance fee: 50 THB for foreign visitors. For Thai nationals, 10 THB
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