Government & Economy

Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, or simply Ayutthaya, is divided into 16 amphoes (districts):

Situated at the confluence of the Chao Phraya, Pa Sak and Lopburi Rivers, Ayutthaya is a fertile province at the heart of the Central Plains, the so-called 'rice bowl' of Southeast Asia. Rice, the traditional livelihood throughout several centuries, continues to be the economic mainstay of the province. More than 70% of the total land area of Ayutthaya is given over to farming.

Tourism constitutes an important source of income for the province, both from foreign visitors and Thais. The province's rich historical heritage as a former capital of Thailand attracts large numbers of tourists. The Ayutthaya Historical Park, a large section of central Ayutthaya, has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since December 1991.

In the 1990s, industry came to the province in a big way. Several industrial estates have been established in Uthai, Wang Noi and Bang Pa-in districts to attract foreign investment in high-technology industries such as electronics and computer parts. Many factories operating within these estates are export-oriented or supply products to larger multinationals.

Emblem of the Province: A temple sanctuary with a tray and a conch-shell under a sweeping 'man' (cordia dichotoma) tree.

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