Ayutthaya is the ancient capital of the Kingdom of Siam, dominating the kingdom for over four centuries. It is a site of historical importance in Thailand, classified as a UNESCO world heritage siteLocated just 80 km north of Bangkok, the ancient city is easily accessible for a day trip.
An opportunity to delve into Thailand's little-known history and marvel at the many temple ruins to explore.
Here I will summarize its history, why visit Ayutthaya and, above all, tell you the temples not to be missed if you visit the historical park for a single day. So, are you ready to take a leap?
Ayutthaya: some historical landmarks
- End of the 10th century : a first settlement already existed on the banks of the Pasak River, well before the official founding of the capital.
- 1351 Ayutthaya was established as the capital by King U-Thong. The city became the political center of a new kingdom, contemporary with and rival to Sukhothai.
- 14th – 18th century Ayutthaya gradually established itself as the capital of a larger kingdom, soon to be known as Siam. Thanks to its strategic location, the city became a major center of trade in Southeast Asia, with links to China, India and the Malay world.
- 1511 The Portuguese established a trading post in Ayutthaya, marking the beginning of trade relations with Europe.
- Seventeenth century Emissaries of Louis XIV travel to Ayutthaya; the French trade with the city. Travelers' accounts describe a prosperous and impressive city.
- Apogee (17th century) Known by its full name Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, the city is estimated to have nearly one million inhabitants and more than 1,500 temples, making it one of the largest urban areas in the world.
- 1569-1590 The city was severely damaged during a Burmese invasion. The kingdom briefly became a vassal of Burma before regaining its independence under the reign of King Naresuan.
- 1767 : after several decades of tensions, the Burmese army besieged and destroyed Ayutthaya, ending more than four centuries of domination.
- After 1767 : the kingdom of Siam moved its capital further south, first to Thonburi, then a few years later to Bangkok, with the advent of a new dynasty.
StillThe remains of the looting and fires that ravaged the old capital are clearly visible, notably the Buddha statues, deliberately decapitated to mark Burmese domination and prevent any reconstruction.
As a side note, even today in Burma, a Thai person is referred to as a "Yodhiya," a name whose pronunciation is very similar to Ayutthaya. This is a way of referring to the inhabitants of their former rival, a direct reference to the time when the city dominated the region, a period to which the Burmese have remained attached in their use of the term.
This name is itself derived from the city of Ayodhya, located in northern India. The latter is known as the capital of the hero Rama, the central character of the Hindu mythological epic Ramayana, from which the Thai Ramakien draws heavily.
Moreover, this word of Sanskrit origin means "that cannot be conquered"… History will remember that a name is not enough…
Ayutthaya Historical Park Tour with 6 Temples
UNESCO World Heritage since 1991The modern city was rebuilt around the historical park, leaving an area of nearly 300 hectares for walking, dotted with numerous ruins, the most famous of which are located on the "island" forming the heart of the historical park.
Why these 6 temples? This is the question I will now answer for you. Knowing that there are a significant number of ruins, the idea is to discover a variety that is sufficiently interesting and, above all, different, because in the end, too many temples can quickly give an "overdose" effect.
Better still, if you had to make an even more limited choice, the three truly unmissable temples are the Wat Mahathat (the famous Buddha embedded in the roots), the Wat phra si sanphet (former royal temple) and the iconic Wat Chai Watthanaram, on the riverbank.
1- Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon
Le Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon is an imposing temple located outside the main part of the historical park, on the other side of the river. It was built in the late 16th century to celebrate King Narusuan's victory in single combat against a Burmese prince, a major event in the history of the war between Burma and Thailand at the time. Its name, which means "the Great Victory Monastery", reflects this historical significance.
The temple features a cloister surrounded by 135 Buddha statues, providing a more spiritual atmosphere compared to other temples, whose statues are often destroyed or incomplete. One reason is that this temple is still active, with monks still present within it.
The most notable feature is the imposing 62-metre-high chedi, which offers stunning panoramic views of the surrounding area from its summit. Inside, it houses a well, made visible following excavations carried out in the pagoda, where visitors can drop coins by aiming at the central stone square at the very bottom.
Doing so is supposed to bring good fortune. Outside, you have a beautiful garden, the remains of a Viharn behind and in front, the Ubosot, part of the original walls of which are still visible. If you are curious, head to the building to the right of the main entrance, you will see a discreet reclining Buddha, hidden by its 4 walls still surrounding it.
2- Wat Mahathat
This temple is among the first buildings constructed in the new capital of Ayutthaya. Its name is found in several temples throughout the country because it is a fairly generic term meaning: Monastery of the Great Relic"
Le Wat Mahathat Nevertheless, it remains an important temple; it was a royal monastery and the seat of the supreme patriarch ("religious leader of the monks" of the country) until the end of the Ayutthaya period.
This is probably the most famous of the historical park, because it is here that you can admire the famous head of a Buddha statue, literally embedded in the old roots of a tree. This image has become a true symbol of Ayutthaya.
However, this is obviously not the only reason to visit this temple. The imposing complex remains an important vestige of this glorious era. The central prang, still standing at the beginning of the 20th century, unfortunately collapsed, because the temple was once entirely surrounded by water, weakening the soil.
But it still contains many standing chedis, including a rarer one with octagonal architecture. The cloister and its remains of Buddha statues bear witness to the ravages of time and the vicissitudes of history.
3- Wat Phra Si Sanphet
The largest of the sites, and for good reason, this monastery was the most important temple in Ayutthaya and was located within the grounds of the Grand Palace, including the royal residence and homes for the king's relatives and consorts. While virtually nothing remains of this area, the temple, which also served as a model for the Temple of the Emerald Buddha in Bangkok, still has some beautiful remains.
Many of the visible structures are the work of King Ramathibodi II, who had two of the three central chedis built in 3, to place the ashes of his father and his elder brother. The third pagoda was added by his successor.
The temple is also famous for having housed the Phra Si Sanphet (hence its name). This imposing 16-meter-high bronze statue of Buddha is also a creation of Ramathibodi II. Covered in gold and highly venerated, the statue is now hidden from public view at Wat Pho in Bangkok.
The site is pleasant to visit, in addition to being very photogenic. In addition to the chedis that we notice immediately, we can see a royal audience hall, the walls of which are still standing today. The other notable building is a chapel in the shape of a cross, where, in addition to the remains of a statue of Buddha, we note the surprising presence of windows with a more oriental design.
If you are also attentive, as this is a royal site, you can see that the ancient complex was surrounded by a wall of which there are still some remains with battlements attesting to the importance of the place.
Bonus: Wiharn Phra Mongkol Bophit
You can't miss it, it's right next to Wat Phra Si Sanphet. The imposing Wiharn Phra Mongkol Bophit is the only Ayutthaya-era temple still in use in the historical park. The temple gets its name from the 12m (not including the pedestal) Buddha statue it houses.
When the Burmese army invaded the city, the temple was damaged and burned. The roof collapsed onto the statue, which was partially damaged but remained relatively intact inside. For over 200 years, the statue remained exposed to the elements.
In 1957, a series of renovations were undertaken to preserve all this heritage, which had been somewhat neglected until then. These renovations allowed the temple to be restored to its former splendor and this historic statue, dating from 1538, to be preserved.
4- Wat Lokaya Sutha
Sometimes referred to as Wat Lokaya Sutharam, which can be translated as " Monastery of the Celestial World"This temple is mostly in ruins since practically only the red brick floors remain, with the exception of its central prang, which is still standing.
The interest of Wat Lokaya Sutha resides in its large reclining Buddha statue, called Phra Buddha Sai Yat, whose head rests on a lotus flower. 37 meters long and 8 meters high, the statue, which stands in front of the ruined ubosot, was once embedded in a viharn, but the latter also collapsed, leaving only its foundations visible.
The place remains sacred after all these years. Thais regularly come to make offerings and pray. For a long time, I saw this statue covered with a long orange cloth, symbolizing the monks' robes. Just to clarify, the current version of the reclining Buddha is the result of a series of renovations begun in the 50s.
Recently, she underwent a final facelift which I find alters her appearance a little too much and removes the old-fashioned character that gave her charm… I'll let you judge for yourselves below with a before/after comparison.
Before
AfterApart from the ruins of the ubosot and its prang, one can see on the side of the road, just south of the large statue, an ancient tower where the bell of the call to prayer was located. Discreet on a side away, to the north of the statue, this time, is a curiosity with a small chedi in a Lanna style, in a conical shape.
If you are in the area, you can also take a look at the nearby temple, Wat Worachettharam, which dates back to 1605. In addition to a large chedi (which is suspected to contain the ashes of the famous King Naresuan), you will see a building without a roof, but with all its walls intact, with spots of ornamental ceramics still visible in the stucco of the gable.
5- Wat Phu Khao Thong
This temple is a bit out of the way, just over 2km north of Ayutthaya. Built during the reign of King Ramesuan in 1395, it did not originally feature the imposing chedi that remains its main attraction today.
The large chedi is built on a square base, in a Mon-Burmese style since the construction is the work of the Burmese king Bayinnaung, wanting to mark his victory following the capture of the city in 1569. The final design would have resembled the Shwezigon pagoda, visible in Bagan.
After the construction of the base, the Burmese king returned to his capital, leaving his vassal, King Maha Thammaracha, to complete the monument. However, the latter was not enthusiastic about continuing the construction of the symbol of his neighbors' victory and so the chedi remained unfinished.
Shortly after, Maha Thammaracha's son, who became King Naresuan, returned the Ayutthaya Kingdom to independence. To commemorate this event, he decided to complete the chedi, thus thumbing his nose at the vanquished. In 1587, the top of the chedi was added in Thai style, with a bell shape set on an octagonal base.
However, due to its isolated location (once accessible only by a canal connecting it to the Chao Phraya River), the summit would eventually fall into disrepair and was finally renovated in its current design in 1744.
While there is now a road to access it, visitors can still climb the Mon-Burmese style base to the foot of the chedi, from where one can see the surrounding rice fields still present, and the city of Ayutthaya with several pagodas jutting out in the distance.
It is also possible to access the heart of the chedi via a small tunnel, where the sacred relics of this work are still visible. In addition to the 50 m chedi, you can see the ruins of a small viharn and especially an ubosot, whose recent work has restored the site to its former appearance. Around it are a few additional small chedis and the whole is surrounded by a surrounding wall and moats.
Note that this temple is still active, with monks living on site, which gives it a special aura.
Little bonus info : Literally, the name means "golden mountain", but the temple has nothing to do with the one in Bangkok that bears the same nickname (Wat Saket). Arriving at the site from the main entrance, you will pass in front of an equestrian statue of King Naresuan, surrounded by many statues of roosters of all sizes.
6- Wat Chai Watthanaram
Located west of the main island that forms the heart of the Ayutthaya Historical Park, the Wat Chai Watthanaram is a large quincunx structure, typical of Khmer architecture, like the temple of Angkor Wat for example, namely, towers forming a square plus a central one, whose shape takes up the ancient prangs, conical in shape, as opposed to the usual Thai style, in the shape of a bell.
King Prasat Thong built this royal monastery on the bank of the Chao Phraya River in 1630, to pay homage to his adoptive mother, the temple being built on the site of her residence.
It is one of the best preserved temples. You can still see sections of walls with the loophole windows. On these exterior facades; traces of stucco frescoes are also still visible.
Around the cloister, the statues, although having lost their heads, seem imperturbable. Under the intermediate towers, one can see other statues, with a headdress on their heads instead of the traditional hair in curlers. Each one is in a variable state of preservation, with sometimes remains of the wooden structure that decorated everything behind.
It was a monastery dedicated to the late mother of King Prasat Thong in the 17th century. Its riverside location and orientation make it an excellent temple to visit for sunset viewing.
The essential temples in Ayutthaya on a map
Gift for you! (I know, how generous) A map showing the location of each temple, the bonuses and the route layout if you do the visits in order.
Bonus: some optional temples
Assuming you are keen on old stones and Thai history, here is a selection of other temples to add to your "to see" list.
- Wat Ratcha Burana (entrance 80 baht), 15th century temple, dedicated to two brothers who fought to the death for the throne (the 3rd having taken the title, had the temple built on the cremation site).
- Wat Thammikkarat (free entry), an often overlooked complex with an imposing and well-preserved royal viharn.
- Wat Phanan Choeng Worawihan (entrance 20 baht), a substantial complex dating from the 14th century. Located outside the historic park to the south, it is known for its imposing 19-metre seated Buddha statue and includes a Chinese shrine in its courtyard.
- Portuguese Catholic Church (free entry), even if the interior is generally inaccessible, it has the merit of changing from Buddhist temples. Dating from the 17th century, this one is still in operation, because it is located within the grounds of a Catholic school, a little further after Wat Chai Watthanaram along the river.
And if you happen to have some time, I've written an article about two days in Ayutthaya, featuring other temples besides those mentioned above.
Practical information
How to get to Ayutthaya from Bangkok
Ayutthaya is only less than 80 km from the capital. It is therefore quick and easy to access. The choice is yours, bus, mini van, taxi, train or even boat, there is something for everyone and especially all types of budget.
Bangkok – Ayutthaya by regular bus
To do this, go to the Mo Chit bus terminal. Easily reachable from the BTS station of the same name (via motorbike taxi, it's a bit far on foot).
Allow about 1h30 for the journey. There are buses that leave every 15 minutes between 04:30 and 19:30. Typically, a 2nd Class air-conditioned bus (46 seats) costs 50 baht.
Bangkok – Ayutthaya by minivan
An alternative for those who want to go a little faster, the minibus. These famous 14-seater minivans widely used in Thailand are, in fact, a little faster to reach Ayutthaya in about an hour.
There are departures every 20-30 minutes from the bases, but as soon as they are full, they leave. The journey is only slightly more expensive than the regular bus, between 60 and 70 baht, but allows you to avoid the hassle of the big terminal which is a bit chaotic.
To get there, go to Mo Chit Van Terminal station, close to the BTS Skytrain of the same name (note that a taxi will be necessary to cover the last few kilometers).
Bangkok – Ayutthaya by train
For those in a less hurry, this is a way to get to the historic park that has its charm. You can either leave from the new main Bang Sue station (reachable from the metro, MRT Bang Sue) or, to avoid the crowds, from the small Samsen station, which is the stop between Bang Sue and the old Hua Lamphong station.
Depending on the class, in order 3rd, 2nd and 1st class, the fares are respectively a very small 15 baht, 35 and 66 Baht (Prices on the official website, so if you are offered more, I often hear prices of 250 baht for 1st class for example, it's a scam).
The journey takes almost 2 hours if it is an “ordinary” train and 1 hour 15 minutes if you take the express version (but less choice in terms of timetables).
Bangkok – Ayutthaya by boat
To date, there is no public boat that runs to Ayutthaya (there was one at one time…). The only option to do this is to either charter a boat from the company Chao Phraya Express, or a private tour including a mini cruise between Bangkok and Ayutthaya, in which case this is generally done over 2 or 3 days (see example below, it's not cheap, I'll give you other options later):
Among some companies offering this service between Bangkok and Ayutthaya by boat, you have these:
- the River Sun Cruise, price of 2200 ฿ (63 €) per person. Departure from the River City Shopping Complex every day at 8:00 am and return around 17:XNUMX pm. Knowing that in this case the outward journey is normally by bus and the return by boat.
- the Pearl of Siam, 2350 ฿ (67 €) for a daily departure at 7:30 a.m. and return at 16:30 p.m., also from the River City
- L 'Oriental Queen & Ayutthaya Princess, I haven't found an up-to-date rate, but by deduction, I would say it must be around 2500 ฿. Departure from the Oriental Hotel every day at 8:00 am and return around 17:XNUMX pm. For this one, you can choose to go by bus and return by boat or vice versa.
– Finally, a luxury option for those who want it, a 2 day XNUMX night cruise on the Mekhala, for a price starting from 29 ฿… ouch
Note that it is also possible to take a loop around Ayutthaya by boat, this is usually done around 16 p.m. and costs 800 Baht per boatTo do this, you need to go to the northeast of the old town:
To summarize, here on a map all the possible transport options from Bangkok to get to the Ayutthaya historical park.
Getting to Kanchanaburi from Ayutthaya
If people are not going back up north (usually via train), the "classic" option is to reach Kanchanaburi from Ayutthaya Historical Park.
To do this, 2 steps. The first being to reach Suphanburi city, about 1 hour from Ayutthaya (60 km), then from there, take a bus to Kanchanaburi, for a journey of around 2 hours (a little less than 100 km).
In all, it is necessary to count between 4 to 5 hours of travel to get from Ayutthaya to Kanchanaburi.
Bus timetable from Kanchanaburi to Suphanburi and Suphanburi to Kanchanaburi (via bus no. 653):
– Departure every 20 minutes between 4:50 a.m. and 18:10 p.m. by the company “Transport Co LTD” for 50 ฿
Bus schedule from Suphanburi to Ayutthaya and from Ayutthaya to Suphanburi (via bus no. 703):
– Every 30 minutes between 6am and 17pm for ฿40
There are also direct minibuses (vans) to Kanchanaburi, offered by guesthouses or tour operators for 400 ฿.
How to visit Ayutthaya once you are there
Depending on the time you have available, you can visit the city:
- By bike, daily rental from 50 baht, or free with some guesthouses (assuming you spend the night there). For those in less of a hurry, this is the preferred way to explore the park. Knowing that most of the temples are concentrated in the same area. But it is not the ideal way to explore my selection as a whole, because several temples are outside the central part. It remains feasible, but will require not hanging around too much to be able to see everything.
- By scooter, usually 200 baht (plus petrol), it is the best way to discover the temples in my eyes, in addition to saving time to be able to discover more, it allows you to keep your independence.
- By Tuk TukIt's not necessarily the cheapest option, but if you don't have much time and can't drive a scooter… it's still a fairly easy and pleasant way to get around. Provided you negotiate well… you normally won't get less than 800 baht per day (knowing that they usually charge up to 200 baht per hour…).
Where to sleep in Ayutthaya
The article seemed incomplete to me without mentioning accommodation. Sleeping in Ayutthaya is for people who want to visit the site in two days or if you are passing through as a stopover while you are going back up north.
Here are my hotel suggestions in Ayutthaya:
- Tamarind Guesthouse : Not easy to find because it is set back from the main road (in front of Wat Mahathat, although the location is good), it is in a typical house with wooden floors, good reception, nice terrace.
- Loymanee House, family guesthouse on the river (off the island). Also not easy to find because you have to take an alley which is accessible by entering the enclosure of the courtyard of a temple. But personalized breakfast, good room and you feel at home.
- Bann Baimai Boutique Room, If you are looking for a little more comfort and a spacious room with air conditioning; then the Baan Baimai Boutique Room should suit you. Recently built, its warm welcome (if the owner is there) is acclaimed by customers. They also have bikes available for rent, too bad they are not provided for free…
Finally to finish, a special family option, if you are traveling with your children, then I recommend the Baan Are Gong Riverside Homestay, which has large rooms, accommodating up to 5 adults, so also suitable if you are a group of friends (from €24).
Explore other historical sites in Thailand
While Ayutthaya is quite well-known to travelers, Thailand is brimming with archaeological sites, from ancient Thai kingdoms to Khmer heritage. Here's an overview of the most important ones.
Historic parks listed by UNESCO
S
Cradle of the first Thai kingdom.
And Satchanalai
Strategic outpost 1 hour from Sukhothai, also listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Kamphaeng Phet
Ancient fortified city, defensive role of the Sukhothai kingdom.
If Thep
The ancient capital of the Dvaravati kingdom.
Other archaeological sites
Chiang Saen
Cradle of Lanna, ancient city with ruined ramparts and temples.
Wiang Kum Kam Free MpXNUMX Download
Former capital before Chiang Mai.
Lopburi
Ancient Khmer city then secondary capital in the 17th century, today famous for its monkeys.
59 Comments
Hello Romain, thank you for the very interesting article.
I'm leaving for Thailand at the beginning of February and I'm planning to take the train from Bangkok to Ayutthaya which I'll visit in one day and then take the sleeper train in the evening to Chiang Mai. But, are there places to store luggage? I don't see myself visiting the temples, by bike, in the heat with my big bag 😀
Thank you very much
Hello,
I only went to Ayutthaya station once and I don't remember seeing any luggage lockers there, but there is normally a room to store them, for 100 baht per day.
Thank you Romain for all this information.
I heard that you can buy a pass to visit 6 temples in Ayutthaya.
Can you tell me more? where to buy this pass? can we visit the temples we want
Or are the temples defined in advance?
Can you tell us where to eat well, locally and cheaply?
Thank you in advance.
Hello,
Indeed there is a pass in Ayutthaya, you can get it at any ticket office of a temple that normally pays. To my knowledge, the temples included are free to choose but this needs to be confirmed... As for eating, I often go to the Walk In Cafe (of the Grandparent's Home guesthouse) not far from Wat Mahathat but I'm not sure if it corresponds to your request because it's not the cheapest (even if the prices are reasonable), but I appreciate the air conditioning there (given the often overwhelming heat in Ayutthaya)
Hello, thank you very much for your blog, it is very clear and detailed, useful for preparing your trip. Having a 3-day bonus following a flight cancellation, we will spend these 3 days in Ayutthaya as a first stopover, we are 2 adults and 2 children in low-budget mode and your information helps us a lot for the journeys from Bangkok and our future visits there. The program after will be Ranong by plane 2 days, 8 days in Kho Phayam, 3 days on the Surin Islands, 5 days in Kao Sok and 2 days in Bangkok. Wishing you lots of new discoveries and looking forward to reading you
Hello,
Thanks for the compliments. Since you have 3 days, you could perhaps complete the visit of the area by going to the big Buddha of Wat Muang in Ang Thong (the largest in Thailand), you will also have time to take a half-day tour of Lopburi to see the Khmer temple and the monkeys. In any case, great program in perspective!
Hello,
Thank you very much for your articles.
As we have suitcases to carry, I had opted for a private taxi that would take us from Bangkok to Sukhothai via
via Ayutthaya (4 hour stop to visit 4 temples by scooter) and Lop buri (2 hour stop for 2 temples) and arrival in the evening in Sukhothai
to visit the historic park the next day in 1 day before heading south for 5 days (Krabi-Koh Jum-Koh Lanta-Krabi)
Do you think this route is feasible and do you have any private transport addresses you could give me?
I am in contact with bangkokbeyond.
Thank you !!!
Hello,
Personally I think you are planning too many things. Note that the journey you are talking about already requires 7 hours of driving, plus 4 hours in Ayutthaya + 2 hours in Lopburi, that makes a big day of 13 hours… Especially since you are only in Thailand for a week if I understand correctly. Personally I would give up going that far and just stick to Ayutthaya (a whole day is not too much) or even Lopburi but no more. When would you like to do this visit?
Hello
We are leaving from 18/29 to 04/XNUMX.
2 nights in Bangkok 2 sukhothai 1 krabi to koh jum 2 Koh-Lanta 2 krabi 1 bangkok.
Yes, I had counted on a 13-hour day in a private taxi.
I wanted to see both because the parks are different but I admit it's busy.
I'll think about it. We can also spend the night in Lopburi and leave the next day for Sukothai to visit
the park in the afternoon. And take a flight the next day…
Small practical question: as we will have our bags, is it possible to leave them somewhere?
safely to visit ayutthaya without being charged?
The private taxi was a bit for that so that they could keep our bags for us.
Otherwise we will take train to Ayutthaya and also Lopburi. Then I think I will take a taxi…
What do you think ?
Thank you
Hello,
The option of stopping overnight in Lopburi and continuing the next day is already more reasonable but once again, I think you should keep this destination for next time (it will be an opportunity to go to the north of Thailand 😉
I don't know of any places to store these bags in Ayutthaya, unless it is possible at the train station but I can't confirm that...
OMG!!! Thank you so much for this article and the cards!!!
Hello,
Thank you for this very inspiring article and for all the little tips that really help to prepare for a trip.
I have a question about train prices. I looked at the link you put for train prices. It is specified that the prices are excluding charges and then there is a whole list of charges: type of train, air conditioning, type of seat… So it seems that for express trains the bill climbs quickly. For example, it is announced more than 300 baht for a special express. I did not understand if these charges are mandatory or if they are options and that we can have tickets according to the class at 15, 30. or 65.
Hello,
An ordinary train in second class is more than enough to make this kind of trip, rest assured, it won't cost you 300 baht...
Attention the vans are to be taken in Mo Chit December 2016
Yes that's right, I forgot to do the update, now it's done! Thanks!
Hello,
We are leaving tomorrow for Thailand, we are staying in a hotel in SATHORN, could you tell me if access is easy to get to the Victory Monument skytrain (BTS) station in order to take the van to Ayutthaya? Thank you.
Your article is very complete and pleasant to read, enough to make us dream before the big day.
Hello,
It depends where exactly towards Sathorn the hotel is located, there is a station at Surasak and Saphan Taksin, otherwise the Chong Nonsi station between Sathorn and Silom. There is a change to be made at Siam station to then go to Victory Monument. Problem is that the vans had to move from there and are now only accessible from the Mo Chit bus terminal (BTS station of the same name then motorbike taxi or taxi to get to the terminal). To see if the vans leaving from the Century Mall (next to Victory Monument station) are still there and what destinations they serve.
Great article, we are going there on December 14, 2016 as a family (three), just the flight then I book the hotel on arrival in Bangkok then head to Ayuttaya for 2 nights (I will book before too) then Kanchanaburi, and Chang Mai then Chang Rai and I think 1 week on the beach. We are there 3 weeks.
Great program in perspective 😉
Hello, I am going to Thailand in December. We will follow your itinerary for Ayutthaya in one day from Bangkok. We will take a minibus but I am afraid I will not be able to do it because my English is very average. Regarding the scooter rental for the day in order to visit the 6 temples, is there a risk of theft if we leave the scooter parked?
Hello,
No need to be afraid, you won't be the first to travel to Thailand with average English 😉 No risk of theft as far as I know...
Hello,
Thank you for this great article!
I have a quick question, we are going to Thailand at the beginning of November and we were planning to do Kanchanaburi then Ayutthaya.
I was wondering if it was feasible to do the Erawan Falls in one day (early morning departure) then return to Kanchanaburi then leave for Ayuttaya. Ideally, we would like to sleep in Ayutthaya in order to start the visits the next morning (we take a night train in the evening to Chiang Mai)
What do you think? I think the best solution is a van…
Marjorie
Hello,
I have just added the information concerning this journey to the article dealing with Kanchanaburi. Basically, with public transport you will have to plan to leave the falls early enough to catch the last buses, otherwise, a taxi is the solution but it is not the most economical...
Hi David and Celia, I'm currently in Ayutthaya, having just arrived this afternoon from Kanchanaburi, so I think my trip could be done in reverse. I left with my friend this morning at 11:20 (we wanted to enjoy our breakfast at the hotel :)) by bus for 50 baht per person to Suphon Buri, about 2 hours. No air conditioning, but the windows were open and there was a bench seat with three seats so we wouldn't get cold, and we were traveling with our bags 🙂
then less than 1 minute wait we were in an air-conditioned minivan (like a freezer) for 80 baht per person for a 1 hour journey.
At 15pm we were in our room!
Thanks Romain for this tour of Ayutthaya, we will try it tomorrow on a scooter for sure.
Ps: I have two questions
1) Do you have to leave your passport as a deposit when renting a scooter?
2) My girlfriend has been sick for 3 days: runny nose, sinus pain, pain behind her eyes, and extreme fatigue (we had a large first-aid kit with us and planned everything for Thailand except this). What can I give her to relieve her symptoms?
Hello,
We met 😉 I was in Ayutthaya today! And went to Kanchanaburi in the evening. To answer the questions:
1) 95% of renters will ask for a passport... knowing that it is illegal... the alternatives are either to give a photocopy or to offer a cash deposit.
2) I am not a doctor but these symptoms look like a simple sinusitis… To calm the pain, paracetamol or ibuprofen. She must drink a lot of water, at room temperature (not cold). Drinking hot tea and inhaling hot water vapor can help clear her sinuses. Buying a stick of Tiger Balm (to breathe through the nose) could also help. Good luck!
Hello Romain and Manu,
Thank you for your answers.
I think that in our case, we will see on site because we would like to leave Ayutthaya around 17/18 p.m. after a day of sightseeing.
The transport options in Kanchanaburi are therefore really limited…
If we find a good deal there, we will be sure to let you know about it when we return.
Hello Romain,
First of all, thank you for your very practical blog for preparing our trip.
In the section "Getting to Kanchanaburi from Ayutthaya" you mention "There are also minibuses (vans) to Kanchanaburi directly, offered by guesthouses or tour operators for 350 THB".
Despite several requests by email, I was unable to obtain better than 1000 THB per person.
Do you know exactly who I could contact to flirt around 350 THB?
Thank you in advance.
Hello,
I would tend to say that you will have more luck on site… 1000 baht is really too expensive for this type of distance (unless there are 3 of you, but if per person no, it's too much) I have unfortunately never been able to test this journey, having a car, I tend to travel a lot independently…
Hello! Your blog is really great, I'm leaving for Bangkok next Wednesday with my children and we are very tempted by your program and the children are up for the bike ride 😉 can't wait to be there and thanks for all the info.
Looking forward to it, enjoy your stay!
Hello,
I am going to Thailand in 3 months and so I am organizing my trip. I want to visit the temples that you mentioned in your article. However, I would like to know in km how much the route of the temples is without the optional ones. Because I would like to do the visit by bike but I am afraid that it will be too tiring.
Merci de votre réponse
Laura
Hello,
The route will depend on your starting and finishing point, among other things, but generally speaking you should allow around 15km for the walk.
Hello Romain,
First of all, thank you for putting your knowledge online like this, it's nice, complete, well detailed and it's really useful...
We will be doing a trip to Thailand which includes 4 days in Ayutthaya, we will be there from December 7th to 11th (4 people).
I think two days might be a good time to visit most of the temples (by bike and/or scooter) based on what you said. Unless I misjudged the time needed to visit the site.
Do you have any suggestions for using the other two days in a useful and enjoyable way?
Depending on the hotel we choose (soon) we will always have the possibility, we hope, of relaxing by the pool, of course...
In a comment above you said that 500€ euros/pers for 3 weeks was feasible in the "low budget" category. Could you please tell me what I can consider as an "average budget" per day/pers, knowing that we will stay a little over a month, that we will spend 18 days in the north to finish in the south on the islands the last 15 days. This is a question that may seem insignificant, but it is just to know if we are "on target" for our budget forecast.
Thank you in advance for your answers and congratulations again for your blog, thanks to which we are already more informed...
Jean-Marc and Virginie
Hello,
No, it's correct, one day can already be enough and indeed, 2 days are enough to go around. So, if you have 2 more days, I can only advise you to take the time to walk in the surrounding countryside. Eventually, you can take a tour of the summer palace of Bang Pa In (20km south of Ayutthaya)
I would say that an “average” budget is around €35 per day per person.
Hello Romain,
First of all, thank you for your blog. I find it great, full of information, maps and culture. Thank you, it helps us prepare our trip. Very interesting!!
In our tour we wanted to visit Ayutthaya and Lopburi, do you think it is possible in one day from Bangkok? Do you think it is possible to ask a taxi driver to accompany us there for the day and how much would he ask us?
Thanking you in advance.
Kind regards.
Hello,
If Lopburi would be doable in half a day, it would be a bit of a leap over Ayutthaya to do the same, it remains doable in absolute terms but a bit of a rush. For what date would it be?
Hello Romain. Thank you for your site, and a fortiori this very well-documented page on Ayutthaya. Our trip planned for June is gradually being built thanks in particular to your very useful information. Can you also tell me at what time the last mini-van leaves from Ayutthaya for Bangkok? We plan to visit Ayutthaya in one day, as an excursion from Bangkok, and would not want to miss the last journey?
Thanking you,
Jeanne
Hello,
Normally the last minivans leave at 17 p.m., if you miss them, there is always the train 😉
This article is great! Thank you 🙂 I always associated Thailand with its paradise beaches, but reading your article, I discovered its rich history. I still want to visit. Thank you for taking me on a little journey.
Glad to read this kind of comment! You are not the only one to associate Thailand with its beautiful beaches, I invite you to also read the articles on the north of Thailand, because yes, Thailand is not only beaches but mountains, a countryside, a cultural and historical richness, a country quite complete in terms of tourist diversity I would say.
Hello,
Thank you for all your explanations about Ayutthaya, it's really well done.
Can you tell me where the mini buses drop us off in Ayutthaya?
Can your tour of the 6 temples be done with a small boat?
If not, is there an interesting little boat ride into the city?
We are 2 adults with a 12 year old child.
Sincerely
Hello,
It is not possible to visit these 6 temples just by boat (in this case, only one is on the riverside…) but it is possible to take a walk around the city from the Wat Phanan Choeng Worawihan temple. The vans drop you off along Naresuan Road (almost opposite the train station on the other side of the river), where most of the guesthouses are located.
Hi,
Very nice article! Especially the transportation ideas and the maps. I'm going to Ayutthaya on March 11th with my friend and I think the minivan is an interesting option. Thanks for the advice 🙂
You who live in the country, do you think that 500€/person is enough for three weeks (transport/visits/accommodation)?
Marie
Hello Marie,
Thanks for your feedback on the article! Yes! €500 per person is within a feasible range for a stay in Thailand, since you should expect to pay between €20 and €25 per day per person roughly (for a small budget). Enjoy your stay!
Hello,
We are leaving for Ayutthaya on April 11 for 2 days before continuing our trip to Chang Mai, your blog helped me a lot, and again this morning to explain to the children (3) what happened in this city.
Do you know if Songkran will have started during our stopover?
Thank you
Gaëlle
Hello and thank you for your comment!
Songkhran mainly takes place on April 13, 14 and 15, so when you come it will not have started yet (possibly on the 12th, some aficionados will have started)
I want to go to this country so much!
Thank you for taking me on a little trip.
Well I hope you achieve your dream, go for it!
Hello!
I'm going to spend two days on the site at the end of April, and I'm going to draw a lot of inspiration from all this good advice!
Emma
It will be hot! Be careful not to overcook in the sun 😉
Yes!! I was warned! I'll plan on the bob! 😉
I spent some time on your blog. I'll tell you again, but it's really very interesting and very practical!
This article is perfectly timed. I'm going to Thailand for Christmas and was thinking of stopping in this city. Do you know if it's easy to get from Ayutthaya to Kanchanaburi after the trip? Because I'd like to visit Erawan National Park in the following days.
Thank you and congratulations for this lovely blog
lauriane
Thank you Lauriane for your message! There is normally no direct connection, you must first reach the Suphanburi bus station, 1 hour from Ayutthaya (the last bus leaves Ayutthaya around 16:30 p.m.), then take a local bus to Kanchanaburi, the whole journey lasts nearly 5 hours, including the wait for the connection in Suphanburi.
Very complete, thank you! I'll keep this on hand for a future trip to the region 😉
With great pleasure, don't forget to let me know if you're passing through!
Great article! I went there last year and by far this city was my favorite!
Glad to bring back some good memories for you then!
Hello,
I'm going to sound like a crazy person lol, but I love Temples! I find it so exciting and intriguing!
Hello,
And why come across as "crazy"? The history and talent of men IS fascinating 😉