Tourists flock to see excavation of Ayutthaya king's tomb
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The excavation of a former Siamese king's tomb in modern-day Amarapura, Mandalay Region, is attracting many tourists, including Thai visitors, according to the excavation team.
The tomb of King Uthumphon, 32nd monarch of the Ayutthaya Kingdom, has made headlines in Thailand since excavation work started in February this year. After an urn containing human bones was found at the site in March, visitors started arriving to witness the archaeological work.
“Over 10,000 visitors have come within two months to October,” said Phoe Wai, a researcher from the team digging at the tomb site. “Besides Thailand, tourists from the United States, France, Holland, Germany and Japan have also visited the site. I even saw some Thai visitors crying in front of their king’s tomb.”
According to historical records, King Uthumphon was among 100,000 Siamese captured by King Hsinbyushin, the third king of the Burmese Konbaung Dynasty, when he invaded the ancient Thai capital in 1767. King Uthumphon entered the monkhood while living in Amarapura and remained a monk until his death.
The excavation team plans to establish a cultural heritage centre near the tomb to reflect the lifestyles of the Ayutthaya Kingdom captives in and near Mandalay.
