About UNDV
Story of each Vesak Celebrations
UNDV History
History of UN Day of Vesak Celebrations
ICDV EXCO
International Council of the United Nations Day of Vesak
IABU EXCO
International Association of Buddhist Universities
IABU/ICDV OFFICE
Officers and Location
Project
Background & Objectives
Bangkok Declaration
on The International Celebration on the Occasion
of United Nations Day of Vesak
 

Panel Discussion on the Main Theme:
Education and Global Citizenship: A Buddhist Perspective
Keynote Speaker
Mr. Phongthep Thepkanjana
Thailand Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister


Speakers
Venerable Professor Mahinda Deegalle
Most Ven. Bhikkuni SHI RURUI
Jack Miller
Jamie Cresswell

Moderators
Venerable Assoc. Prof. Phra Sigambhirayan, Ph.D.
Venerable Phra Khammai Dhammasami
Panel Discussion on the Theme:
Contribution of Buddhist Sangha for Education and Humanity
Speakers
Venerable Ashin Nyanissara
Venerable Seck Kwang Phing
Venerable Phramaha Anilaman Dhammasakiyo, Ph.D
SUAH KIM (Bhikkhuni Soun )
Prof. Chandima Wijebandara

Moderators
Venerable Dr. Tampalawela Dhammaratana
Phra Rajavaramuni
 

The President of Supreme Sangha Council Committee of Thailand
Somdej Phra Sangharaj Sakol Mahasanghaparinayok


The President of IABU/ICDV
The Most Venerable Prof. Dr. Phra Brahmapundit


The Secretary-General of the United Nations
Ban Ki-moon


The Director-General of UNESCO
Irina Bokova


President of the Privy Council and Statesman
H.E. General Prem Tinsulanonda


Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand
Ms. Yingluck Shinawatra
Prime Minister of Australia
The Honourable Julia Eileen Gillard


Prime Minister of Bangladesh
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina


Sangha Supreme Council Message


Council of Ministers Messages


Messages from The Foreign Embassies and Consulates in Thailand


VIP Messages


Organization Messages
 

United Nations Conference Centre
Information
Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University (MCU)
Phutthamonthon
Hotel & Accommodations
Suvarnabhumi Airport
Temple of the Emerald Buddha
Wat Phra Kaew
Ayutthaya World Heritage

Volunteer's News
News and schedule for Vesak 2013's volunteer
Available Positions
Do you have what it takes to be a Vesak Day Celebration Volunteer?
Apply to be a Volunteer
Once in a lifetime Opportunity
Volunteer FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions About Vesak Day Celebration Volunteer
Volunteer Policy
Policy on volunteering
 

Live Broadcasting
United Nations Day of Vesak 2013 Live
Video Broadcasting
United Nations Day of Vesak 2013 Video Highlight
Press Released
2013's Press Collection
Gallery
View Photo from the Event
Media Download
Logo and High Quality Photo
Books
View & Download Academic books
Music
Exhibitions
Read & View Exhibitions's Theme and Concepts
 


Biography
Brief Biography of His Holiness Somdet Phra Nyanasamvara The Supreme Patriarch of Thailand (Suvaddhana Mahãthera Charoen Gajavatra)
Celebration Documentary
on His Holiness Somdet Phra Nyanasamvara the Supreme Patriarch of Thailand
Panel Discussion on the Theme:
Contribution of Buddhist Sangha for Education and Humanity
View & Download Books
On The Celebration of the100th Birthday Anniversary of His Holiness Somdet Phra Nyanasamvara
The Supreme Patriarch of Thailand
3rd October 2013
 
Ayutthaya
  World Heritage


  United Nations Conference Centre
Information
Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University (MCU)
Phutthamonthon
Hotel & Accommodations
Suvarnabhumi Airport
Temple of the Emerald Buddha
Wat Phra Kaew
Ayutthaya World Heritage
     

Ayutthaya World Heritage
Ayutthaya is ancient capital city of Thailand, situated about 76 kilometers, north of Bangkok. The city itself is surrounded with 3 major rivers, the Lopburi on the north, the Pasak on the east and the Chao Phya on the south and the west. The kingdom of Ayutthaya had been the capital of Thailand for 417 years between 1350 - 1767 with 33 kings of five dynasties ruling the successive kingdom

Phranakhonsriayutthaya was the former capital of Thailand established on the bank of Chao Phraya River since the Buddhist Era 16 - 18. The traces of ancient cities and ruins, stories, chronicles, historical annals and stone tablets can be found at present. Prior to the establishment of Ayutthaya Kingdom in 1350, the town called "Ayothaya City" or "Ayothaya Srirama" or "City of King Rama" had been already constructed. In the east of the island. Ayutthya City was very prosperous in administration, politics and culture. At that time, three laws were used in the administration, that is, all-inclusive laws, slavery laws and loan laws.

King Ramathibodi I or King Uthong established Ayutthaya City as the capital in 1350. Ayutthaya had been the center of Siam for 417 years. The kingdom had been ruled by 33 kings from 5 dynasties, that is, Uthong Dynasty, Suphannabhumi Dynasty, Sukhothai Dynasty, Prasatthong Dynasty and Ban Plu Laung Dynasty. The kingdom lost the independence to Burma 2 times in 1569 where King Nereesuan the Great could redeem the independence in 1584 and the second time in 1767 where King Taksin could redeem the independence at the end of the same year. In addition, King Taksin also migrated people from Ayutthay Kingdom to establish Thonburi Kingdom, the new capital of Siam. However, Ayutthya was not deserted as some people still lived there. Thus, the city was appointed as the fourth-level city called "Muang Krung Kao."

King Bhuddhayodfah Chulalok the Great appointed Muang Krung Kao as the fourth-level city like in the reign of Thinburi dom. Later, King Rama V reformed the central and regional administration. The administration of "Theesapibarn" was established for the regional government. Namely, 304 cities in the same area were grouped as the county ruled by the commissioner. In 1895, the county of Krung Kao was established. Such county consisted of Ayutthaya, Angthong, Saraburi, Lopburi, Phromburi, Indraburi

and Singburi. Later, Indra City and Phrom City were included in Singburi. The county office was established in Ayutthaya. Later, in 1926, the county of Krung Kao was renamed as Ayutthaya County. As a result, Ayutthaya played more significant role on the administration. The construction of infrastructure influenced the development of Ayutthaya City. After the cancellation of Theesabibarn system in 1932, Ayutthay was changed to Phranakhonsriayutthaya Province until today.

In the period of the Prime Minister Field Marshal Por. Pibulsongkram, the policy was established to renovate the historic sites in Ayutthaya in order to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Buddhist century. In addition, in 1955, the Prime Minister of Burma visited Thailand and gave money in the sum of 200,000 Baht for the improvement of the temple and Phra Mongkholbopit. It could be mentioned that the significant renovation of ancient sites in Ayutthaya was seriously performed. Later, the Department of Fine Arts was responsible for the renovation. On 13 December 1991, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization or UNESCO then resolved and registered the ancient city of Ayutthaya as the "World Heritage."

Ayutthaya Kingdom had been established as the capital since 3 April 1350 and the kingdom was ended on 7 April 1767. During 417 years of the kingdom, there were a lot of stories related to the administration, independence redemption, heroic deeds, culture and tradition. Moreover, the city was abundant with plants and foods as the statement that There were fishes in water and rice in the fields.In addition, Phranakhonsriayutthaya Province was full of temples, palaces and historical sites. During the reign of Ayutthaya, the kingdom was totally ruled by 33 kings from 5 dynasties as follows:

1. Uthong Dynasty, 4 kings
2. Suphannabhumi, 13 kings
3. Sukhothai Dynasty, 7 kings
4. Prasatthong Dynasty, 4 kings
5. Ban Plu Laung Dynasty, 6 kings
   
Ayutthaya Map

click image to enlarge