Ayutthaya is a city rich with history, culture, religion, and even headless Buddhas. Once the great empire of all South East Asia, this sacred city, founded in 1350, was the former capital and Siam Kingdom until it was destroyed by the Burmese army in 1767. Today, the city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site still hanging on to its beauty.
A short distance from the current capital of Bangkok, Ayutthaya is where Thai architecture can be better understood, being filled with palaces, temples and religious monuments of great historical and cultural significance. The ruins left from the destruction of the Burmese, indicate the prosperity of the past. All attractions are pretty spread out so it is best to hire a bicycle or a Tuk-Tuk. When selecting a Tuk-Tuk driver, one should know the average cost to avoid being ripped off. Most charge around 1000B for four hours, but if you get lucky, you can find a driver willing to accept 400B for three hours. Although there may be tourist scams with Tuk-Tuk’s, Ayutthaya is weak on tourism since it doesn’t get the hype that it deserves.
Upon a visit, one should not miss Wat Mahathat, Wat Lokayasutharam, Wat Phanan Choeng, Wat Phra Sisanphet, Wat Chai Watthanaram, and Wat Phu Khao Thong. All were significant temples in the old days and still hold a magical appearance despite the decay. One of the most famous attractions of Ayutthaya is found at Wat Mahathat, which is a buddha head lodged into the center of a rooted tree. It is truly mysterious, along with the other splendors.
Ayutthaya makes a great day or weekend trip from Bangkok considering the short distance. One can easily reach the sacred city by train or bus. A third class seat on the train only costs 20B, making it the cheapest (and most scenic) route there. Trains depart frequently from Bangkok’s Hualamphong Train Station and travel time ranges from two to two and a half hours. Buses depart every twenty minutes or so from Bangkok’s Northern Bus Terminal and costs around 50B. The trip, faster than the train, can sometimes only take an hour and a half. Ayutthaya not only makes a great escape for its ruins and beauty, but also for its tranquility that is so hard to find in the fast-paced Bangkok.
Photos by Lauren
