Ayutthaya

Hearing: Evacuate the Dance Floor - Cascada

Ayutthaya is located about an hour - two hours (depending on your means of transport) outside of Bangkok. Like some other cities in Thailand, at one stage this was the capital. In 1767 this city was bombed by the Burmese. A lot of it is ruins as can be expected but theres still a lot there to see.

Trains to Ayutthaya leave from Hua Lampong station. The customer service ladies at the entrance are very helpful, they spoke English, pointed out the next train on a timetable and gave directions to the "foreigners" ticket booth. There are fancy, first class, and express trains but if you have the time, opt for the much much cheaper train fare that gets you an old train (that means no air conditioning people!) and a more authentic ride to your destination. Be prepared to be among various locals and have food peddlers selling drinks, snacks and proper meals pre-packaged in plastic containers go up and down the aisle every 10-15 minutes. The way back cost 20bhat...all in all, not a bad way of spending a single aussie dollar :)

On the way to Ayutthaya


Ayutthaya is big. Do not underestimate it. There are no taxis on the island only tuk-tuks but you can hire a scooter if your game. I recommend picking a few places your really interested in if your only there for a day as you wont be able to cover everything. However if you are spending the night, take your time and see a few more place. Scooter hire and accommodation can be found directly across the road from the station. I opted for a tuk-tuk driver who was hired out for the mad run around Ayutthaya.

At Wat Yai Chai Mongkol




Wat Phra Si Sanphet




Wat Mahathat - One of the main reasons i wanted to visit Ayutthaya was this...

Its a sacred site and there is always a guard on duty ensuring all tourists who want to take a photo with the buddah's head crouch down so their head is not higher.

Chedi at Wat Phu Khao Thong


VP