GET LOST IN AYUTTHAYA: DIY VOYAGE in the OLD CITY of SIAM

And because I am adventure seeker and didn't afraid of getting lost and for being shrewd in location I tried a DIY day trip to Ayutthaya on our second day in Bangkok, but before that I had a thorough study about the place.

Going to Ayutthaya was a worth visiting when you are in Bangkok that’s why we grabbed the opportunity to go there. Early in the morning after we took our breakfast we get ready for our DIY trip to Ayutthaya. So the first question was how to get there? There are various ways to reach Ayutthaya.

BY CAR: You can rent a car if you know how to drive, you know how to read Thai letters and you know the direction or maybe you can rent a taxi/van if you are travelling by group.

BY TRAIN: The cheapest way to reach Ayutthaya. It’s regularly departs from Hualamphong Train Station. The trip takes about 2 – 2.5 hours.

BY PUBLIC BUS: Buses operate from Bangkok’s Northern Bus Terminal (Moh Chit) directly to Ayutthaya. First class air-con buses charge 50 Baht. This trip is scheduled to be around an hour and a half, but allow at least two hours for the trip since the buses stop rather frequently and they’re often jam on the roads out of/into Bangkok.

BY MINIBUS (VAN): Convenient minibus service can get stuck in traffic, but makes no stops like regular buses operates from the Victory Monument square in Bangkok. Take BTS Skytrain to the Victory Monument station and go right on the elevated walkway keep at it until you cross a large road, the buses are parked at the side of Fashion Mall. The cost is usually 70 Baht and takes around 1 hour.

BY CRUISE BOAT: The priciest of all. 

We took the way to Ayutthaya via train then go back to the city through minibus. From Ekkamai Station we rode the BTS and get off at Asok Station then interchange in MRT Line Underground Train to Huamlamphong train Station then take Exit B. You can ask the officer at the Information desk and he can give you a copy of the train time schedule, don’t worry he is very good in English. 

We caught the 9:30 train bound to Ayutthaya; we bought tickets to Bang-Pa In for 13 Baht, one of the 16 districts of Ayutthaya where you can see the eminent Bang Pa In Palace a summer place of the Kings of Thailand. Unfortunately, we overlooked the Bang Pa In Station, a piece of advice please oh please pay attention in every stop over on the train because you will never notice it until you passed it. And, that’s what happened on our trip, we just found out that we are already in Ayutthaya means we missed the Bang Pa In station so may magagawa pa ba kami? There’s no one announcing that you are now in this station blah blah, even the signage some are covered and cannot be seen so you MUST be careful or else you might be lost J

We decided to take the train to Ayutthaya to experience the life of Thais people; we wanted to know how it feels to be like them. You wouldn’t learn their culture if you don’t interact with them, one thing variance us we don’t understand them haha. The cons of taking this route were the train was so crowded with the locals, if not running the place was so hot and the longest hour of travelling was suck. We depart at 9:30am and we arrived in Ayutthaya at 1:00pm, we spent almost 3 ½ hours on the track. OMIGAD

Ayutthaya is 76 kilometers north of Bangkok and boasts numerous magnificent ruins. Such ruins indicate that Ayutthaya was one of Indo-China's most prosperous cities. Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya a Historical Park, a vast stretch of historical site in the heart of Ayutthaya city has been included in UNESCO's list of world heritage since December 13, 1991. The Historic City of Ayutthaya covers the remains of the second Siamese capital. It represents the birthplace of true Thai art, including wall paintings, and architecture. Ayuthaya succeeded Sukhothai (another World Heritage) as the capital of Siam (now Thailand) during the 15th century. Four hundred Seventeen years later, Bangkok took over from Ayuthaya. In 1767, as a result of two years of war, Ayuthaya was conquered by the Burmese army. They destroyed everything that was sacred to the Thais. The city became abandoned, and fell into ruins.

Heavy rains welcomed us; I was so worried that time masisira pa ata ang araw ko, in the middle of the rain someone approaches us, a licensed tour guide in Ayutthaya. He offers us 900 Baht for two included a four hour tour around Ayutthaya “RUINS ALL YOU CAN”, I haggled down I said 600 baht but he refused, in the end we agreed for 700 Baht. You don’t need to worry about the transportation around the Ayutthaya because upon arrival in Ayutthaya train station there’s a lot of tuktuk drivers who will offer you a ride the cost will be depending upon your negotiating ability. Haha. But remember that it will not reach thousand baht for a maximum of four people. The cheapest of all was hiring a bicycle; this was a good option if you want to make your trip more enjoyable, unforgettable and adventurous. Based on all the blogs I’ve read, aside from bicycle hiring a tuktuk was the best way to go around Ayutthaya so as I expected “tuktuk”. I was shocked when our tour guide gave us a ride in his car. Jackpot. Sulit ang 700 baht. Iba talaga pag-prayers ang nauna, very powerful! Then, we proceed to our excursions. 

Our Service

WAT YAI CHAIMONGKHON

“Great Monastery of Auspicious Victory” in English translation. A monastery established when the two princesses of Ayutthaya died of cholera; it will serve as the stupa (a monastery with a holy monument) and viharn (preaching hall). The temple also became the home of Buddhist monks ordained and trained at the Monastery. (http://www.ayutthaya-history.com/Temples_Ruins_YaiChaiMongkhon.html) please refer to this.

WAT MAHA THAT

The “Monastery of the Great Relic”, was one of the most significant monasteries of the Ayutthaya kingdom, not merely because it was the religious center and protected relics of the Buddha, but also because of its proximity to the Grand Palace. It was a royal monastery and the seat of the Supreme Patriarch of the City Dwelling group till the end of the Ayutthaya period.

The tourist high light

PHRA MONGKHON BOPHIT

One of the largest Buddha Image in the attitude of subduing. The image was probably built in the reign of King Chairacha in 1538 for Wat Chi Chieng. During the fall of Ayutthaya in 1767 Wihara Phra Mongkhon Bophit was fired. The right arm and the knot of the Buddha image were broken, but it was restored in the reign of King Rama V with mortar and wilhara to cover the image in 1956.

WAT LOKAYASUTHARAM

Known as “The Temple of the Reclining Buddha”.

WAT CHAIWATTHANARAM

"The Temple of long reign and glorious era" the most impressive ruins of the city. The story of the giant temple complex does not start with the construction of the building. There is a compelling story behind the events that lead to its eventual creation. Construction of the temple started just one year after the new Kings accession to the throne, in 1630 AD (2174 in Buddhist years). The temple was dedicated to his late mother and also acted as a monument to his greatness and victory over the late King.

Wat Chaiwatthanaram is one of the must see attractions in the city, and is truly worthy of its status as a UNESCO world heritage site.

In 2011, the extensive flooding that devastated the country of Thailand, particularly the central regions including Ayutthaya and Wat Chaiwatthanaram caused extensive damage to this unique and delicate temple. Since the flooding the temple has been closed to the general public so that repairs can be done under the watchful eyes of UNESCO.

My favorite of all, this temple amazed me. For its stunning appeal and unbeatable structure this one made me feel at ease.

Thailand was known as the Kingdom of Elephant so a trip here will not be terminated if you don’t try to ride on an elephant. That’s why even I’m afraid and frail I give it a try charge to experience ika nga. I am uncomfortably seated on the howdah; I was praying and praying and praying the whole ride. I’m paranoid that time. Haha. I think it’s not that safe, because if accident calls you I’m sure sa taas nun your dead!. If you’re going to ride in elephant hold tight and just go with the flow. Dance with it. Haha.

We leave Ayutthaya past 4:00 in the afternoon and reach the city by 6:30. We looked for a place for dinner because we’re already hungry from the long trip. And, we don’t have yet eaten since we arrived in Ayutthaya only water for refreshment. Haha. We chose Yayoi – a chain of cheap Japanese restaurants with locations all over Bangkok, Thailand which serves the best value of set meals at very affordable price. The service was great with very friendly local staff.

And here’s end our second day in Bangkok!