Located alongside the Chao Phraya River and south of the main island, the Japanese village is another proof that Ayutthaya was once an “International trade centre”. In the reign of King Maha Thammaracha, the Japanese, among other foreigners, conducted trade with the kingdom, and gradually settled in the city with the population of approximately 1,000 – 1,500. At that time, Nagamasa Yamada, the community leader and one of King Songtham’s favourite warriors, was appointed as “Ok-Ya Sena Phimuk”, the commander of Japanese volunteer soldiers. Afterwards, he was promoted to Nakhon Si Thammarat governor, and was in his tenure until his death. Presently, the Thai-Japanese Association stages an exhibition of the Japanese village’s history, as well as relations between Ayutthaya Kingdom and other foreign countries, in a joined building of the Ayutthaya Historical Study Centre. The centre is open to the public daily between 08.00-17.00.