Ayutthaya

Ayutthaya,* the ancient capital of Siam, is 80km north of Thailand’s present-day capital city and makes for an excellent day trip from Bangkok. Better still if you have the time, spend a night here before heading further north to Sukhothai or Chiang Mai. Steeped in history, Ayutthaya was ravaged by the Burmese in 1767 and the city was abandoned. The impressive remains of the historic temples form a dramatic backdrop to this pleasant riverside city.

*you may also see the name written as Ayudaya, Ayutaya, Ayuddhaya and various other combinations.

What to See

There are numerous sights and ancient temples scattered around Ayutthaya. These can be visited as part of an organised tour or you can use a bicycle to cycle around or take advantage of the tuk-tuks that will take you to the sights you want to visit.

What to Do

Three rivers (the Prasak, Chao Phraya and Lopburi) actually encircle the old temples and it’s possible to take a boat trip once you are in Ayutthaya that takes in some of the main sights. The main sightseeing area is compact, but in the heat and humidity can be exhausting to walk around. It may be easier to take the option to hire a tuk-tuk or bicycle which can be arranged inexpensively at most hotels and guest houses. Elephant rides are also available with mahouts and elephants dressed in all their finery from days gone by. If you are travelling to or from Bangkok on a day tour, there is the option of doing one leg of the journey by boat.

Where to Stay

Many tourists visit Ayutthaya on a day trip from Bangkok and consequently there has been no boom in building upmarket hotels, which has helped to preserve the quiet charm of the city. Much of the accommodation near the ancient temples is of the cheap and cheerful type with anything grander tending to be slightly further away. As with many places in Thailand, the city has an issue with stray dogs. However, the problem appears to be more severe in Ayutthaya when at night they can form into aggressive looking packs. To avoid any potential problems opt for a motorbike taxi or tuk-tuk at night to or from your accommodation.
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Transport

(prices from 2010)
Train from Bangkok
From Hualamphong train station in Bangkok it is approximately a 90 minute train journey to Ayutthaya. A one-way ticket ranges from 15 Baht to 66 Baht depending on how much comfort you require (the cheapest seats in 3rd class are hard wooden ones). On arrival at Ayutthaya train station, head out of the main entrance and make the short trip by foot to the pier where a ferry takes passengers across the Pasak River. Most of the main sights and accommodation are located on the other side of the Pasak River.
Train timetable and fares from Bangkok to Ayutthaya (see Northern Line)

Bus
Buses for Ayutthaya depart at regular intervals throughout the day from Bangkok’s Northern Bus Terminal at Mo Chit. Depending on traffic and number of stops, journey time can range from 1.5- 2 hours with a fare of between 35-45 Baht.

Mini-Van
Mini-vans depart from Victory Monument in Bangkok and take approximately an hour to get to Ayutthaya with an average fare of 60 Baht. This is an option if you are travelling light, but be warned that there isn’t much room on board for luggage and some of the drivers seem to be in training for a future career in Formula 1 racing.

Boat
In the absence of a public passenger boat service to Ayutthaya, a number of private companies fill the void by operating tours. A typical day tour from Bangkok involves a cruise to Ayutthaya, lunch, a tour of the main temples and a return trip by road.

Transport Within Ayutthaya
The main sightseeing area is compact, but in the heat and humidity can be exhausting to walk around. It may be easier to take the option to hire a tuk-tuk or bicycle which can be arranged inexpensively at most hotels and guest houses. Elephant rides are also available with mahouts and elephants dressed in all their finery from days gone by.
photos © thaizer.com

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