Thailand - Bangkok and Ayutthayah

The Land of Smiles - Part 1. We have visited Thailand several times over the years; this album was from a trip in 1987 - so the photos have been scanned from scratched and dusty negatives! Construction of the Grand Palace in Bangkok commenced in 1782, and it was occupied by the monarchy until 1932. The many temples and buildings of this large complex are simply gorgeous! Wat Arun (or Temple of Dawn) dates from the seventeenth century. We travelled by boat up the Chao Phraya river to reach the former capital of Ayutthaya.* The city was founded in 1350, and attacked many times over the centuries by the Burmese before finally being destroyed in 1767. We should probably revisit with modern digital cameras! (* = UNESCO World Heritage Site)