Historic City of Ayutthaya adds flood defences on 24 September
Published on 10/04/2026 at 04:39 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS
Historic City of Ayutthaya (Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Historic Park) became the focus of new flood defences on 24 September 2026, as rising Chao Phraya levels reached riverside monuments in Ayutthaya, Thailand. The measures protected Wat Chaiwatthanaram while the temple and its access routes remained open to visitors.
Flood defences protect Wat Chaiwatthanaram on 24 September
Fine Arts Department officials installed a prefabricated barrier along approximately 165 metres of the Chao Phraya riverfront at Wat Chaiwatthanaram. The system stands 1.9 metres high and comprises 138 panels reinforced with tarpaulins and sandbags.
Automatic pumps were installed to remove water seeping through the defences, while workers added more sandbags as river levels continued to rise. The water stood about 30 centimetres below the temple's outer riverbank on 24 September 2026, according to the flood barrier report.
The protective work was part of wider preparations involving the Fine Arts Department, local officials, military personnel and communities. The separate Wat Kasattrathirat Worawihan also received a barrier as authorities prepared for further rises in the Chao Phraya and nearby rivers.
Rivers and ruins explain the protection work
The historic city was founded in 1350 and became the second capital of the Siamese Kingdom after Sukhothai. Its remains include prangs, Buddhist monasteries, roads, canals and moats on an island surrounded by three rivers.
UNESCO lists the Historic City of Ayutthaya as a World Heritage property covering 289 hectares. The organisation describes the site as an archaeological ruin shaped by the city's former role as a major centre of diplomacy and commerce, while Thailand's Fine Arts Department enforces its protection and management.
That setting connects the September flood response directly to the site's heritage. The same river system that helped shape Ayutthaya's historic layout now requires temporary barriers beside one of its best-known monuments, while pumps and sandbags protect the archaeological ground from rising water. UNESCO's World Heritage description records both the three-river setting and the site's management as a historical park.
Visitor access remained open as river levels rose
A report published on 3 October said a 2 October inspection found the inner city area safe and tourist venues and transport routes accessible. The update also said lighting fixtures had been removed from vulnerable areas as a safety measure, while flood prevention work covered Wat Chaiwatthanaram, Wat Thammaram, the Portuguese Settlement and Wat Choeng Tha. The later access update provides the most recent visitor detail in the reported period.
Visiting Historic City of Ayutthaya: what travellers from Western Europe should know
- Flood defences were reported at Wat Chaiwatthanaram on 24 September 2026, including a 165-metre riverfront barrier and automatic pumps.
- Wat Chaiwatthanaram remained open to Thai and foreign visitors on 24 September 2026, and the main roads and access routes were not flooded in the report.
- The site is in Ayutthaya, on an island surrounded by the Chao Phraya, Pa Sak and Lopburi rivers. Wat Chaiwatthanaram stands beside the Chao Phraya riverfront.
- The archaeological setting includes ruins, prangs, monasteries, roads, canals and moats. Riverside ground can require attention during periods of high water.
- Thai is the official language and the baht is Thailand's national currency.
- Entry requirements depend on your nationality; UK travellers can check the FCDO travel advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice, Irish travellers the Department of Foreign Affairs at ireland.ie.
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Frequently asked questions about Historic City of Ayutthaya
What happened at Wat Chaiwatthanaram on 24 September 2026?
Fine Arts Department officials installed a 1.9-metre-high flood barrier along approximately 165 metres of the Chao Phraya riverfront. Automatic pumps were also installed.
What is Historic City of Ayutthaya?
It is the archaeological remains of a former Siamese capital founded in 1350 and a UNESCO World Heritage property covering 289 hectares.
Where is Historic City of Ayutthaya and how do you get there?
The property is in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya District, Thailand, on an island surrounded by three rivers. Wat Chaiwatthanaram is beside the Chao Phraya riverfront in Ayutthaya.
