If you’ve spent time in Ayutthaya (about an hour-and-a-half train ride north from Bangkok), you may know that the overnight train going north to Chiang Mai (and various stops along the way) doesn’t pass through until later in the evening. While this makes perfect sense for an overnight train, it means that you’ve got almost an entire day from the time you need to get out of the hostel until you head to the train station. Ayutthaya may not be a city that garners a week-long vacation for most travelers, but if you have the motivation, there are a lot of things you can cram into those 7-8 hours you’ve got on hand.
The city itself is a UNESCO World Heritage site and was the capital of the Siam Kingdom until its destruction in 1350 by the Burmese. Today, the island city—which is surrounded by the Chao Praya River—, boasts a population of over 50,000. Your day here will entail some temple (Wat) touring, perhaps a visit to the floating market (if you can find it—I couldn’t), and possibly finish up with a riverboat cruise.
After you’ve been fed and caffeinated (with Thai Iced tea or Vietnamese Coffee, of course), and stowed your luggage at the hostel or train station, you’ll be wanting to get a tuk-tuk. A bicycle is manageable but you’ll spend a lot of time weaving in and out of traffic and realizing that the city is fairly spread out. There seems to be a standard hourly rate of 200 bhat for a tuk-tuk, but you might strike a decent deal if you hire someone for the entire day. Don’t expect to hire a new driver between site visits—most drivers will be hired for a return trip at least, so it’s quite likely that you’ll get stuck for a while.
One striking feature of Wat Mahatat, Monastery of the Great Relic, is a Buddha head that has been claimed by the roots of a banyan tree. It’s location will be readily apparent by the groups of visitors flocking for a photo op.
Wat Lokayasutharam is a popular site that’s a bit of a journey to get to. Treat yourself to the views of several visitors imitating the reclining Buddha’s pose.
I managed to find the front cover of my Frommer’s guide to Thailand book in Wat Yai Chai Mang Khon. The temple area is home to several dozen of these orange saffron robe-adorned Buddhas, so that’s a bigger accomplishment than it sounds.
If you are interested in some Thai history, culture, and art (which I assume you are, since you’re in Ayutthaya in the first place), you might want to drop by the Museum. There aren’t too many exhibits, and you will have to go shoeless, but a couple of the rooms inside are air-conditioned—which might be reason enough to venture within.
A riverboat cruise, at 500 bhat, might be a bit pricey depending on your budget. But, it’s a great way to squeeze in a few more sites at the end of the day. A few sites you may have missed, such as Wat Chaiwatanarm, are right along the riverside.
If you’ve had enough of the temples and tourist sites, there are some beautiful roads to explore by bicycle (and you might see more ruins along the way).
It’s certainly possible to get a feel for Ayutthaya in a day (though you may prefer to take an extra two or three). It has a history and culture that sets it apart—you won’t find Bangkok, Phuket, or Chiang Mai here. When you get on the train, you can feel a sense of accomplishment in having taken full advantage of your time, and hopefully have spent enough energy to allow sleep to take you through the bumpy train ride north.
1 CAD = 30 Bhat
1 USD = 32 Bhat
**Approximately, as of 07/14
It’s certainly possible to get a feel for Ayutthaya in a day (though you may prefer to take an extra two or three). It has a history and culture that sets it apart—you won’t find Bangkok, Phuket, or Chiang Mai here. When you get on the train, you can feel a sense of accomplishment in having taken full advantage of your time, and hopefully have spent enough energy to allow sleep to take you through the bumpy train ride north.
1 CAD = 30 Bhat
1 USD = 32 Bhat
**Approximately, as of 07/14
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