Ayutthaya was once Thailand’s primary hub of tourism and trade. The island capital of Siam, it prospered as one of the world’s largest and richest cities during its heyday. From the 14th century until its conquest by the Burmese in 1767, Ayutthaya had over 1 million inhabitants—with merchants and dignitaries from all over the world calling the cosmopolitan capital home. In recent history, however, Bangkok has emerged as Thailand’s economic and political center. Meanwhile, Ayutthaya has all but faded into the background. But enigmatic ruins still lie scattered across the…