The Support Arts and Craft International Centre of Thailand (SACICT)
Location : Amphoe Bang Sai
The Support Arts and Crafts International Centre of Thailand is located on the left bank of the Chao
Phraya River, at Chang Yai sub-distract. There are two mains building at the centre, namely Phra
Ming Monkhon Pavillion and the Marketing place Building.
Phra Ming Monkhon Pavillion This is a large three-story building with the area of 34,340 square meters
used for product display and exhibitions of handicrafts for export. The first floor area is divided into 4 sections.
Section 1 is the area for displaying products for living, dressing, giving and dining. Section 2 is the
exhibition area for products from the Bang Sai Arts and Crafts centre. In addition, there are shops
selling arts and crafts items made by trainees from both the Bang Sai Arts and Crafts Training Centre
and from other support arts and crafts centres. Section 3 is the area for shops selling Thai handicrafts
comprising OTOP products and items from various regions of Thailand. Section 4, this area is allocated
for demonstration of exceptional and rare pieces of Thai handicrafts. The second and third floor are
the auditorium and the meeting rooms for trade negotiations to promote the expansion of arts and crafts products
in international markets. Facilities to accommodate E-commerce are also
provided
Market Place This building is built to facilitate sales of handicrafts and OTOP products from the 76 provinces
of the country. It is open everyday (Monday-Friday from 10.00 a.m.-5.00 p.m., Saturday-Sunday and
national holidays from 9.00 a.m.-6.00 p.m.)
Chao Sam Phraya National Museum
Location : Amphoe Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya
This museum is perfect for history buffs who admire fine arts and handicraft of the Ayutthaya period.
Housed in the museum are various original antiques, mostly made of gold and decorated with precious jewels.
In addition, there are various antique bronze Buddha images and famous carved panels. Of note is
a receptacle in the Thai Pavilion that contains relics of the Lord Buddha and other
objects of art that are over 500 years old.
The museum which is located on Rochana Road, opposite the city wall is open daily,
except Mondays, Tuesdays and national holidays, from 09.00 a.m. until 4.00 p.m.
Thai Boat Museum
Location : Amphoe Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya
The museum is located at the residence of its founder, Mr. Phaithun Khaomala, a renowned
Thai boat modeller and former boat builder. Inspired by their beauty and relationship to
the lives of Thai people, Mr. Phaithun dedicated a part of his residence to preseving
what he holds to be fine examples of the country's treasured traditions.
On display are a wide range of models from his large and exquisite collection, make in teak.
Included in the collection are more than 100 models boats delicately made by hand. They range
from Thai and Chinese junks to other traditional Thai boats and ocean liners. Among the most
impressive items in the collection are models of Thailand's famous Royal Barges. As some of
them are rarely seen nowadays, the museum is considered a must-visit. Open daily from 8.00 a.m.-5.00 p.m.
The Thai Boat Museum is situated opposite Wat Mahathat, Bang Iean Road.
Chankasem or Front Palace National Museum
Location : Amphoe Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya
Chankasem Palace was built during the reign of King Maha Thammaraja, the 17
th
King of the Kingdom of Ayutthaya. During the reign of King Naresuan the Great the
Palace became his permanent residence. Chankasem Palace, like the other palaces, was
destroyed during the Burmese invasion. It has been renovated and reopened as a museum open
to the public on Wednesdays through Sundays from 9.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m.
Gong Khong Market
Location : Amphoe Bang Pa-In
A newly established market worth visiting. Showcasing Ayutthaya's old way of live,
the market's name is derived from an action of visitors who need to bend down (Gong Khong)
when looking or purchasing the products. A wide range of reasonably priced local products
including fresh and chemical-free vegetables and fruits, as well as OTOP products, food
and desserts are available.
Location : Amhoe Nakhon Luang
The name "Aranyik" is traditionally related to the history of the Ayutthaya period,
when wars were fought in hand-to-hand battles. Aranyik village emerged as a place
where sword smiths specialized in battle swords worked. To this day, Aranyik Village
remains at the forefront as the country’s leading producer of hand made, high-quality knives and swords
Now also noted for its five-star OTOP products, Aranyik has diversified its product range
to suit modern-day markets and requirements. Cutlery, dinnerware and other table accessories
are produced and exported. These represent another great tradition that thrives even in modern times.
Production is in the villages of Ban Ton Pho and Ban Pai Nong. However,
the OTOP Village is located at Ban Sarai, Tha Chang Sub-District,
Nakhon Luang District. It is here that visitors can take a closer
look at how Aranyik knives and other related products and made while
exploring the villagers’ remarkably charming traditional way of life.
Homestay accommodation is available.
Handicrafted Aranyik Knife Villages
Location : Amhoe Nakhon Luang
Background Ban Ton Pho and Ban Phai Nong are two densely populated villages
in Tambon Tha Chang, Amphoe Nakhon Luang, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya. Both have
been widely recognized for nearly 200 years as a major source of the country’s
hand-made knife products.
Aranyik Knife There used to be a market, shops and gambling houses at Ban Aranyik,
Tambon Pak Tha, Amphoe Tha Ruea, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, approximately 3 kilometres
from Ban Ton Pho and Ban Phai Nong. Ban Aranyik was a marketplace where villagers including
those from the two knife-making villages took their products to offer for sale or exchange.
Their knives were famous by word-of-mouth for their good quality, and Aranyik knives have
become known ever since.
Aranyik Knife Products There are currently 4 categories of Aranyik knives; namely, farming, domestic, weapon,
and others. Each category can be classified by application into 12 types and each type can still be
classified by sizes and materials used in various parts, totaling 274 of them.
Tradition and Culture Other than merit-making that has been observed generally by Thai people on special
occasions such as Magha Puja, Visakha Puja, Buddhist Lent, Robe Offering, Floral Alms-giving and Songkran,
the villagers also have their own important tradition known as Wai Khru or Wai Khru Bucha Tao.
After the Songkran Festival, the community leaders will meet to fix the date of the ceremony held
to pay salute to their masters (Wai Khru) and forge spirits (Bucha Tao), usually on a Thursday
of the waxing moon of the sixth lunar month. Once the date is fixed, all equipment and tools
will be repaired and cleaned, new forges built and all required offerings prepared for
the early morning ceremony on the set Thursday. This ceremony has been observed until nowadays
for the auspiciousness and prosperity of their community. All visitors will be welcomed on that day.
Somdet Phra Si Nakharin Park
Location : Amphoe Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya
Located on U Thong Road in the Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Historical Park area,
to the southwest of Ko Mueang, the Park covers a vast stretch of land with plants
in Thai literature, a Thai pavilion and remains of ancient monuments. Part of the
area is being developed into a herb garden. The Park also houses a monument
of Her Royal Highness the Princess Mother. To get there, from Bangkok, upon
crossing Naresuan Bridge to enter the city of Ayutthaya,
turn left at the T-junction near Rajabhat University Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthya,
turn right via the provincial hospital and the Park will be on the right.
Ayutthaya Tourism Centre (ATC)
Location : Amphoe Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya
The centre is located at the province’s old city hall established by the
Fine Arts Department and developed to be a tourist information centre by
the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). The high reliefs of 6 great kings
and queens from the Ayutthaya Kingdom; namely, King U Thong, King Borommatrailokanat,
Queen Suriyothai, King Naresuan the Great, King Narai the Great and King
Taksin the Great on the facade of the building remain in their original
positions.
1st Floor The right wing in the front serves as TAT’s Tourist Information
Centre. Open daily during 8.30 a.m. – 4.30 p.m. For more details, please
call Tel. 0 3532 2730–1.
2nd Floor Exhibition on
Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya’s tourism presented through a high technological
system such as the Computer Touch Screen/Ghost Box. There are 5 sections
of the exhibition. Section 1 presents the glorious past of the civilisation.
Section 2 showcases tourist attractions within the province. Section 3 is
on its architecture constructed on the basis of religious beliefs about
the Three Worlds and cosmology. Section 4 introduces the lifestyle of the
people of Ayutthaya. Section 5 concludes the exhibition through a video
presentation on “Life in the Historical City of Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya”.
Open daily except for Wednesday during 8.30 a.m.– 4.30 p.m.
3rd Floor “Ayothaya Contemporary Art Gallery” established
with the main objective to be a stage for the expression as well as exchange
of ideas and lifestyles among artists, students, academics, tourists as
well as interested public. It exhibits creativity in traditional as well
as contemporary arts and culture and folk wisdom, in addition, to promoting
the province’s cultural and local tourism to be further developed to an
international level. The Gallery houses contemporary and temporary arts
rooms, and also provides folk wisdom and enhancing art activities intended
for the development of the learning potential of youth, intensive and extended
courses of children’s art, etc. Open during Thursday – Tuesday (closed on
Wednesday), 9.00 a.m.–5.00 p.m. Admission is free. For more information,
Tel. 0 3521 0225
Ayutthaya Studies Institute
Location : Amphoe Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya
Sited next to Ayutthaya Historical Study Centre is an institute established with the aim
of unertaking further study and research on Ayutthaya's history, its arts and culture,
ways of life as well as local wisdoms. Aside from this, Ayutthaya Studies Institute
also serves to promote this ancient capital by initiating several tourism-related
projects with a prime focus on local culture and wisdom. Featured in the projects are a
wide array of activities such as demonstration of OTOP products and performances.
As well as this, a learning centre on arts, culture and local wisdom and an information
centre providing local guide services for both Thais and foreigners alike are also established.
The institute, which is an organization of Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Rajabhat University,
has recently arranged an interesting exhibition showcasing Ayutthaya's timeless
treasures - a combination of history, arts and local wisdom. Five traditional
Thai houses located in the area of the institute are dedicated to this exhibition.
Those wishing to experience first-hand the diverse aspects of Ayutthaya's glory
should not miss cultural and arts performances scheduled to perform every Saturday
and Sunday, from 5.00 p.m. onwards. For further information, please contact 0 3524
1407 or 08 9115 5181.
Location : Amphoe Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya
This compound is located on Rochana Road and is a National Research Institute devoted to the study of Ayutthaya
, especially the period when it was the capital of Thailand. The Centre is responsible for the Museum of the History
of Ayutthaya, which exhibits reconstructions from the past. In addition, the Centre provides information services
and has a library containing historical materials about Ayutthaya. The Centre opens daily from 9.00 a.m. to
4.30 p.m. On official holidays service hours are from 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.
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