Ayutthaya – a day trip from Bangkok

There’s no question that there’s plenty to do in the city of Bangkok itself. However, you may not realise that Bangkok is located less than 100km from the former capital of Thailand (then known as Siam). This proximity makes a day trip to the sacred ruins and temples of Ayutthaya a very worthwhile addition to any Bangkok travel plans.

The city of Ayutthaya was founded in the mid-14th Century by King Ramathibodi I and became a major seat of power and trade in the region. The city eventually fell in 1767 however, after years of conflict with the Burmese and the grand temples and shrines throughout the city were ransacked and fell into ruin. Today these ruins have become a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in many ways serving as Thailand’s answer to Angkor Wat.

There are plenty of tours from Bangkok to the various sites of Ayutthaya if you don’t have time to fully explore the region. Its a great way to spend a day and get out of the Bangkok’s modern metropolis. During my stay in Bangkok, I took a tour of Ayutthaya combined with a cruise back to the city along the Chao Phraya River. It cost around $90 AUD (฿1,800 THB) and included stops at quite a few interesting locations. In this post I’m going to tell you all about what you can expect to see on a similar tour like this one.

Of course, if you have more than a day to spare, you might want to look into staying in the area for a night. There’s far more sites in Ayutthaya than you’ll be able to see in the space of a day. With that said, I do think you’ll get your moneys worth with a day trip.

The Bang Pa-in Palace

After an early morning hotel pick-up, the first stop on the tour was the Bang Pa-in Palace. Not officially part of Ayutthaya (its around 20 minutes south of the former capital), this palace served as a summer retreat for the royal family during the 19th Century. The Palace’s history predates this, as it was constructed by King Prasat Thong in the 17th Century. Historical research indicates that it had been abandoned by the time Ayutthaya fell however. It wasn’t until the reign of King Rama V that the palace was restored between 1872 – 1889.

Upon entering the Palace grounds, you’ll quickly realise that Bang Pa-in is not your traditional Thai palace. While there are elements of Thai architecture present, you’ll also find buildings that wouldn’t seem out of place in Europe and China. King Rama V was an avid traveller, and was inspired by the palaces and boulevards he encountered in the wider world. That inspiration is clearly visible here, much like in Bangkok’s Dusit Park.

Spending just over an hour or so here should give you enough time to explore the sprawling palace grounds, admiring the diverse architecture and beautifully maintained gardens and lakes about the complex. You’ll find numerous topiary displays bringing various animal species to life throughout the grounds as well.

As you explore the Bang Pa-in Palace, keep an eye out for the following highlights:

• Aisawan Thiphya-At: the only traditional Thai shrine in the palace grounds, this floating pavilion was modelled after Bangkok’s Grand Palace and houses a bronze statue of King Rama V. The name translates to the Divine Seat of Personal Freedom.
• Phra Thinang Wehut Chamrun: this two storied Chinese style mansion translates to Residence of Heavenly Light. It was a gift to King Rama V from China in 1889 and houses a throne room and shrine dedicated to previous Kings of Siam. As you step inside you’ll feel as though you’ve been transported to China.
• Ho Withun Thatsana: translating to Sages Lookout, this bright red and yellow tower was one of King Rama V’s favourite lookout spots. You can enter the tower and climb the wooden staircase (remove your shoes first) for marvellous views of the Palace grounds.
• Phra Thinang Warophat Phiman: the “Excellent and Shining Heavenly Abode” is a European style mansion constructed in 1876. This building housed King Rama V’s residence and throne. While the Royal Family no longer resides at the Palace most of the time, on the rare occasion they are present at Bang Pa-in, this is where they stay. As such, the mansion is normally closed to the public, but remains an impressive sight.

One story that stuck out to me when I visited Bang Pa-in Palace was the tragedy that befell Queen Sunanda and Princess Karnabhirn on their journey down the river to the Palace in 1880. Tragically, their boat capsized as it was travelling down the river and the royal family members drowned. At this time, touching a royal family member was punishable by death in Siam, so horrified onlookers watched helplessly. Needless to say, the law was quickly changed following this tragic event. You can find a memorial dedicated to Queen Sunanda in the palace grounds today.

Wat Mahathat

After exploring Bang Pa-in, it was back onto the bus and further north into Ayutthaya Historical Park. The first stop at the UNESCO Heritage Site was one of the most significant ruins of the old city, the incredible Wat Mahathat. This former monastery was founded in 1374 by King Rama I and served as the Kingdom’s seat of power. The impact of the Burmese sacking of the city is incredibly evident here as what was once a major temple is now in ruins. These ruins make for an incredible sight, and they are well maintained and protected due to their significance.

One of the most famous spots in Ayutthaya can be found at Wat Mahathat, that being the sandstone Buddha head entangled in the roots of a bodhi tree. While its unknown just how this phenomena came to be, the head was presumably left here by looters following the Burmese destruction of the city. It’s now become one of the most photographed icons in all of Thailand. One thing to note if you want to take a photo with the Buddha head is that you need to need to crouch down so that your head is below that of the Buddha so as to show the proper respect. You’ll likely find lots of crowds of visitors doing the same.

Make sure you venture further among the ruins of Wat Mahathat when you stop by though. As you explore the site, you’ll find the remaining base of a huge prang tower structure and decapitated Buddha sculptures throughout the ruins. Of course, you’ll find plenty of Instagram worthy shots of this picturesque sacred site as you explore this holy place that would have surely been an impressive temple in its glory days.

Wat Na Phra Men

After spending some time exploring the immense ruins of Wat Mahathat, the next stop on the tour was Wat Na Phra Men. This temple is located in the northern part of Ayutthaya and was constructed in the late 15th Century. The site is significant as a peace treaty was signed here between the Kings of Siam and Burma in 1563. The shrine houses two royal thrones which were built to facilitate the meeting, while a large Buddha statue also presided over the discussions.

One of the first things you’ll notice at Wat Na Phra Men is that unlike the previous location, the temple is fully intact. In fact, its the only temple in Ayutthaya that was not damaged in the Burmese invasion. This is mainly because the Burmese army ended up the temple as a military outpost. Its a rare glimpse into the former grandeur of the old city. The highlight is a large gold plated Royal Buddha statue inside the temple’s main hall. You’ll also be able to see faded murals from the reign of King Rama III and other shrines such as a black stone Buddha seated on a throne.

Wat Lokaya Sutharam

The final stop in the Ayutthaya Historical Park was the impressive Reclining Buddha at Wat Lokaya Sutharam. While the history of this Buddha statue is unknown, the Buddha is said to represent the Buddha growing to confront the demon Rahu. At a whopping 42 metres long, the towering statue lays exposed to the elements, as most of the temple here was destroyed in the Burmese invasion. All that remains of the original temple are a series of octagonal pillars that once formed the temple’s structural framework. Notwithstanding this, the Reclining Buddha statue has carefully been restored and preserved since the 1950s.

You probably won’t spend a huge amount of time at this site, as the Reclining Buddha is really the main thing to see here. You can however make an offering of flowers and incense at a small altar before the Buddha. When you’re done, it will be time to board the bus and leave Ayutthaya behind you.

Back to Bangkok

Cruising down the Chao Phraya River is perhaps the best way to make your way back to Bangkok after spending your morning visiting the sites listed above. My tour ended with a boat ride operated by River Sun Cruises and included a filling buffet lunch after embarking at the pier.

The cruise takes around 2 hours to get back to the heart of Bangkok and gives you a different perspective compared to the bus ride taken in the morning. After lunch finished, we could remain in air conditioned comfort or heading onto the open air deck to admire the changing scenery while slowly floating towards the City of Smiles. On the way, you’ll pass many riverside monuments and temples, including the Grand Palace and Wat Arun. While this a great way to see these highlights of Bangkok, they’re definitely still worth a visit on their own.

For around ฿1,800 THB, I’d highly recommend a trip similar to this one if you’re only in Bangkok for a few days and don’t have time to spend a lengthier amount of time in Ayutthaya. Its a great way to learn more about the Kingdom of Thailand’s history.

Have you visited the ruins of Ayutthaya? Have you seen other sites in the former capital of Siam? Post all about your experiences in the comments below.