King U-Thong Monument, Ayutthaya | Timings, How to Reach

King U-Thong Monument, Ayutthaya Overview

King U-Thong Monument was built by a governor of the province, who wanted to ward off misfortune by paying homage to the founder of the entire Ayutthayan kingdom. All residents of Ayutthaya gather at the statue every year on April 3rd and celebrate the first king of the Kingdom. Garbed in royal attire this sword-bearing structure faces the location where his mortal remains were buried.

Though quite a recent monument, built from 1968 to 1970, the King U-Thong monument has significant historical relevance. This monument honours King U-Thong, the monarch who founded the Ayutthaya Empire of Siam in the 14th century. This empire lasted for more than 400 years and is an integral part of Thai history. It is believed that the monument is built on the same spot where King U-thong originally founded the city in 1350.

The bronze statue of King U-Thong at this monument is quite magnificent. The green coloured figure of King U-Thong here is clad in a royal costume of the early Ayutthaya period, and he is carrying a sword in his left hand. This monument is situated on a square inside the Ayutthaya Historical Park between Wat Phra Sri Sanphet and Wat Phra Ram, on the eastern side of the former Royal Palace. You can take a picture-perfect shot of the three stupas of Wat Phra Sri Sanphet from here. You can also check out a beautiful lake nearby called Bueng Phra Ram or Bueng Chi Khan.

How To Reach King U-Thong Monument

The Ayutthaya Historical Park is separate from the city, on the other side of the river. The best way to reach there is by road.

By Bicycle
You can rent a bicycle for the day, with a small deposit of around $2 per day and explore the various monuments and temples of Ayutthaya including the King U-Thong Monument, inside Ayutthaya Historical Park.

By Bike
If you don’t want the added exercise of peddling, you can always rent a bike. These are available for rent for $10-$14 per day in various places in the city.

By Tuk-Tuk
If you want to sit back and relax, hire a Tuk-Tuk for the day. This option is also suitable for families or larger groups travelling together. The charge is a bit steeper though, around THB 305 per hour.

By Rental Car
You can also rent a car to visit this monument, but it is a lot more expensive.

With A Tour
Since the King U-Thong monument is inside Ayutthaya Historical Park, you can become a part of the existing tours to visit this and other monuments inside the park.
These tours are of two kinds:
1. There are a couple of Bicycle tours that have been designed to take people to the prominent monuments inside Ayutthaya. You can choose one of these and see the King U-Thong monument.
2. There are also heritage walks organized by various groups. You can be a part of such a Historical Park Walk, and visit the King U-Thong monument.