Salt weathering of the brick monuments in Ayutthaya, Thailand

In Ayutthaya, Thailand, there are numerous monuments suffering from deterioration due to salt weathering. In this study, the occurrence and process of salt weathering are described and discussed in relation to the conservation of monuments. Salt weathering is serious, mainly on bricks into which water permeates but is not retained. Salt efflorescences are widespread, especially at the beginning of the dry season but not during the rainy season. For effective conservation of the monuments, it is necessary to prevent impregnation of the bricks by water during the rainy season, and to keep water which does infiltrate from evaporating during the dry season.