South East Asian Trips

This central Thailand province is home to Ayutthaya - Thailand's former capital and one of the country's leading tourist attractions. Easily accessible from Thailand's current capital (just 86 Km north of Bangkok) and rich in historical significance, the ancient city of Ayutthaya (or, more formerly, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya) was founded in 1350 by King U-Thong and remained the country's capital until 1767. During this period 33 kings from a variety of dynasties ruled Thailand from Ayutthaya until it was invaded by the Burmese in 1767. Today's Ayutthaya has been on UNESCO's world heritage list since 1991 and is full of important reminders of the area's former glory. With three rivers and a large canal encircling Ayutthaya, boats (particularly long tail boats) represent an ideal way to access the city's various historical sites. They are also by far the best way to appreciate the province's 2,556 square Km of landscapes and views. Being so close to the capital, Ayutthaya can be approached as a day out or an extended visit. Numerous tours are available to the area, most originating in Bangkok.

Attractions in Ayutthaya

Bang Pa-In Palace

Wat Chaiwatthanaram

Wat Phra Si San Phet / Ancient Palace

Wat Yai Chai Mongkol

Wihan Phramongkhon Bophit

Bang Pa-In Palace Ayutthaya

Bang Pa-In Palace is not situated in Ayutthaya city proper, but is well worth making an effort to get to see. The palace comprises a collection of buildings of various ages and various architectural styles surrounded by a lake. Originally built by King Prasattong, Bang Pa-In was the residence of all the kings in the Ayutthaya period but it was let unoccupied when Bangkok became the capital. Its importance was reestablished in 1851 when King Mongkut restored the palace and monarchs resumed residing there. Bang Pa-In Palace compound houses a number of important buildings. The public can only go inside two of these building: Phra Thinang Wehat Chamrun - a Chinese-style building intended for use during rainy seasons - and Phra Thinang Withun Thatsana - a tower-like ‘observatory' with a number of balconies to take in good views of the palaces gardens. Other buildings worthy of note include Phra Thinang Aisawan Thippa -a pavilion standing in the middle of the lake - and Phra Thinang Warophat Phiman - a two-storey building that housed King Mongkut's apartments and reception hall.

Details - There is a 100 Baht entrance fee for Bang Pa-In Palace and it opens daily between 08:30 and 12:00 and 13:00 and 16:00.

How to Reach - Bang Pa-In Palace is often approached as a tour from Bangkok and often combined with a visit to Wat Niwet Thamaprawat which is directly opposite the palace. It is possible to get there yourself by van from Chao Phrom Market in Ayutthaya (fare 10 Baht) or bus from the Northern Bus Terminal in Bangkok (fare around 20 Baht for an ordinary bus and around 50 Baht for an air-conditioned bus). There are also river tours available directly from Bangkok.

Wat Chaiwatthanaram Ayutthaya

Wat Chaiwatthanaram is an imposing monastery located in the west of Ayutthaya on the Chao Phraya River. It was built by King Prasat Thong in 1630 and its architecture is similar to that of Angkor Wat in Cambodia and it may have been built to commemorate the King's victory over Thailand's neighbour. The temple comprises a main ‘prang' (or tower) which is 35 meters tall surrounded by a series of smaller prangs situated alongside a gallery containing over 100 Buddha images. The temple is spacious and its well-kept grounds are peaceful. Well worth a visit if history and culture are your interest.

Details - Admission to the temple is 20 Baht and opening hours are 08:00 to 18:00.

How to get there -You can reach the temple's ruins by bicycle if you have hired one, and a Tuk-Tuk fare will be in the 30 Baht range from the town centre. Long-tail boat services are available from Chankasem Palace at around 350 Baht for the full one-hour round trip.

Wat Phra Si San Phet / Ancient Palace in Ayutthaya

Built in the reign of King Boromtrilokanath, Wat Phra Sri San Phet was the biggest temple in the area at its peak and is historically very significant. The temple is situated in a compound (similar to that of the Grand Palace in Bangkok) that was originally used as a royal palace and home to a number of kings during the Ayutthaya period. The design of the temple inspired the design of the Emerald Buddha Chapel in Bangkok and holds three large Chedi containing the ashes of three Ayutthayan kings. These Chedis have come to symbolize the essential qualities of Ayutthayan-period architecture and are much published images. Wat Phra Sri San Phet is the main attraction in a complex that has come to be known as the ‘Ancient Palace' which houses some buildings of key historical importance including Chantharakasem (or ‘Front Palace'), Phlapphla Chaturamuk, Phiman Rattaya Hall, and Wanglang (or ‘Rear Palace') as well as remnants of the ancient Palace Wall and Gate. This is a large site visitors can wander through to get a genuine feel for the Ayutthaya's historic past. Quiet and in a pleasant environment, Wat Phra Si San Phet and the Ancient Palace are well worth spending a bit of time looking over.

Details - Admission to Wat Phra Sri San Phet is 30 Baht and the temple is open 08:00 to 17:30 daily.

How to get there - This is another ruin easily accessible by bicycle and Tuk-Tuk for a fare of around 30 Baht from the centre of the town.

Wat Yai Chai Mongkol in Ayutthaya

Wat Yai Chai Mongkol is located near the main Ayutthaya ruins and a short distance from the walls of Ayutthaya. It is famed for an impressively large statue of the Reclining Buddha inside the temple compound. Built by King U Thong (Ayutthaya's first ruler) in 1357, the temple is also known as "Chao Phaya Thai Temple" and has a large Chedi that dominates the skyline. The Chedi was built in 1592 to celebrate King Naresuan's single-handed defeat of the then Burmese Crown Prince after an elephant back duel. The size of the Chedi was intended to match that of Phu Khao Thong - a Pagoda purportedly built by the Burmese which is visible in the distance from the temple. This is a great site to visit and wander around so give yourself plenty of time for a visit.

Details - Admission is 20 Baht and the temple opens daily between 08:30 and 16:30.

How to get there - Wat Yai Chai Mongkol is in the Southeast of the town and easily accessible by Tuk-Tuk or rickshaw for around 30 Baht.

Wihan Phramongkhon Bophit in Ayutthaya

Wihan Phramongkhon Bophit contains one of the largest bronze Buddha images found in Thailand and also houses numerous smaller images. Destroyed by the Burmese in 1767, the temple was returned to its former glory through renovation in 1956. The temple has a lot of historical significance and was the original site for Royal cremations; a practice that now takes place at Sanam Luang in Bangkok.

Details - The site is 08:30 to 16:00 and admission is 30 Baht.

How to get there - Wihan Phramongkhon Bophit is easily accessible by bicycle. A Tuk-Tuk fare from the centre of the town is around 30 Baht.