As indicated in the previous blog, here are some pictures from a recent weekend trip to Ayutthaya, the former capital of Siam (Thailand), destroyed by the Burmese in the 18th century, after which the capital was shifted to Bangkok. Did we already mention that Bangkok is the city with the longest name in the world? The full name is "Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahinthara Yuthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udomratchaniwet Mahasathan Amon Piman Awatan Sathit Sakkathattiya Witsanukam Prasit" (Thai script: กรุงเทพมหานคร อมรรัตนโกสินทร์ มหินทรายุธยามหาดิลกภพ นพรัตน์ราชธานี บุรีรมย์อุดมราชนิเวศน์มหาสถาน อมรพิมานอวตารสถิต สักกะทัตติยะวิษณุกรรมประสิทธิ์) or "The city of angels, the great city, the eternal jewel city, the impregnable city of God Indra, the grand capital of the world endowed with nine precious gems, the happy city, abounding in an enormous Royal Palace that resembles the heavenly abode where reigns the reincarnated god, a city given by Indra and built by Vishnukam", of course better known in the shorter versions Krung Thep, Bangkok or City of Angels (Los Angeles if you wish). Back to Ayutthaya: this is now a lively city about an hour and a half away from Bangkok. The city, with a design apparently inspired by Angkor, is filled with ancient temple ruins, as Ayutthaya was an important religious and political centre for more than four centuries. The city never fully recovered from its destruction and most ancient temple buildings have not been fully restored. You can see the ancient brick work, the covering is damaged or has disappeared. A new city has sprung up around the temple buildings and ruins, contrary to Angkor. We drove around in a local tuk-tuk (pictured), saw a number of ancient monuments as well as an elephant swallowing a man... as part of a show, of course. The most famous sight in Ayutthaya is the Buddha head captured in tree roots in Wat Mahathat, one of the temples (see background of our picture). In the same temple archeologists (and thieves) discovered a gold treasure buried under one of the main buildings. Whatever was not stolen can be viewed at the local museum. Ayutthaya is Unesco world heritage and certainly worth a visit if you are planning a trip to Thailand!
Just a short post to update you on the recent trouble in Thailand and Bangkok in particular. First of all, many thanks to all of you who have called or e-mailed us to ask whether we are fine. Yes, we are fine. Tom is currently in Singapore, Nirmala in Bangkok. Tom was planning to travel back this weekend but this may not be possible for obvious reasons. One of his colleagues from Singapore is currently in Bangkok and may not be able to return as planned as the airports are blocked by protesters. Nirmala has not noticed much of the unrest downtown Bangkok but was asked to go home early today as there are many rumours circulating that a coup may happen in the coming hours. To be continued... 
Kawa Ijen
