Hello wanderers, how are you today? I am so excited to share
with you my recent trip yesterday to the ancient capital of the Kingdom of Siam,
Ayutthaya. Sounds like a chasing scene in the forest with Lara Croft. LOL. If
you haven’t seen my last visit to Cambodia, where Angelina Jolie shoot a scene
in the movie Tomb Raider, click HERE. Thailand also has its own history, and
that’s why we visited the Ancient City of Thailand.
Short history of Ayutthaya, “the Historic City of Ayutthaya, founded in 1350, was the second capital
of the Siamese Kingdom. It flourished
from the 14th to the 18th centuries, during which time it grew to be one of the
world’s largest and most cosmopolitan urban areas and a center of global
diplomacy and commerce. Ayutthaya was strategically located on an island
surrounded by three rivers connecting the city to the sea.” – whc.unesco
How to get there / vice versa
If you are planning to visit Ayutthaya for a 1 day trip,
then this is for you. I am currently residing in Pattaya, which is 2 hours’
drive from Bangkok. So we woke up too early from 7:00 AM and took a bus going
to Mochit Bangkok bus terminal for 2:30 minutes. We arrive at Mochit bus
station around 10:00 AM, then we asked for locals where to find a van public
transportation going to Ayutthaya. We found one, it cost us 60 THB per person,
and travel time is 1 hour, we arrive there at around 12:00 noon. If you are going
to get a tour package transportation around Ayutthaya, at the end of the tour,
the driver will take you immediately to the terminal of van public
transportation going back to Bangkok.
Where to eat
Finding a place to eat is not that hard for us, as we are
not looking for a fancy restaurant. At the last stop of the van in Ayutthaya,
there is a small noodle place, they also serve dishes with rice. We paid 50 THB
each for our lunch including a bottled water.
Transportation to get around
If you are travelling to Ayutthaya and don’t know how to use
a motorbike and you’re with a family, then this travel tips around Ayutthaya is
best for you. I don’t know how to use a motorbike, and even if I do. I can’t
use a motorbike with the family of my friend who’s with me. They are a bit old
to be in a motorbike ride (safety first) and the weather is so hot. Good thing, when we arrived in Ayutthaya and
get off the van there are locals selling tours around Ayutthaya. At first, we
are hesitant to avail their packages because it’s quite expensive, to think
someone told us we can find a “songtew” a public transportation in Ayutthaya
and rent to go around for 1,000 THB. Me and my friend tried to search but we
can’t find any so we ended up availing the tour package of 500 THB/person without
entrance fee to ruins, temples and parks.
Entrance Fee
The tour package transportation does not include food or
Entrance tickets to the ruins and park. So we have to pay for it. The first
ruin that we went to is Wat Yai Chayai Mongkol and we paid 20 THB/person for
the entrance fee. And the rest of the parks and ruins are 50 THB/person
Tips
1.
If you are visiting the temples, ruins and
national park in Ayutthaya, be mindful of your outfits. Sleeveless,
off-shoulder even backless and short shorts and short skirt is not allowed. Be
respectful tourist, these are sacred places.
2.
Bring a lot of water, it’s very hot in Ayutthaya,
and there’s not a lot of shade inside the parks and ruins. So bring also an umbrella
or a huge hat.
3.
Drones is not allowed in the parks and ruins, I
wanted to fly my drone, but it’s prohibited. There are signs at the entrance.
If you really wanted to fly a drone, you must ask permission to the Ayutthaya
Historical Park office. Which I don’t have time and energy to do so.
4.
Always take care of your belongings, there is an
incident that happened to me yesterday. I suddenly lost my phone, I don’t know
how but when we came back to our “tuktuk” (transportation) I realize that my
phone is not in my pocket anymore. So I hurriedly go back again to the path
where we went to and I can’t find any. While I’m searching, my friend called my
missing phone, and it was answered by a Thai man. Good thing he returned it to
my friend. I’m not actually worried that time, I don’t know why. LOL! Sad to
say, I have not met the man who found my phone, whoever you are. God will
remember your kindness.
5.
Wear sunblock, I’m not quite sure what month is
the best time to visit Ayutthaya, but I’m pretty sure even November is still
hot and humid, so protect yourselves loves.
6.
The last and important tip that I can share with
you loves, is DO NOT BE A PART OF ELEPHANT RIDE IN AYUTTHAYA, not only in
Ayutthaya but anywhere in Thailand or in the world. I saw two tourists
yesterday who enjoyed riding the elephant. Like what? I understand that you are
not aware how the elephants are being treated just to follow the orders or
their guide or owner. But being observant is better than being ignorant. There
is this pointy sharp object that the guide used to smash at the head of the Elephant
just to follow them, and they put chains around the Elephant neck and foot and
a lot more of mistreated actions to Elephant. If you want to see the horrible
story of Elephants in Thailand click HERE. However, if you want to see the
elephants, take care of them by feeding them, bathing with them and touching
them (no riding) visit the Elephant Sanctuary you may visit their website HERE.
My Personal Experience
I honestly did not enjoy much the ruins and temples of
Ayutthaya, it’s not that they’re not beautiful, they’re actually. However, I’ve
seen a lot of ruins and temples in my past travels and it doesn’t give me a “WOW!”
factor when we explored Ayutthaya. However, I enjoyed the company of my friend
and her family.
And that’s it loves, it was a very short day exploration
around Ayutthaya, I also saw a lot of tourists renting and using a bicycle
instead of a motorbike. If you will ask me, if I will go back there, I probably
would, there’s a lot of attractions in Ayutthaya that does not relate to
temples and ruins and I love to check it out soon. Hope you enjoy this Travel
Diary of the week, comment down below if you would like to see more Travel
diary. And by the way loves, I also have a cinematic video of Ayutthaya, you
can check out my Youtube channel www.youtube.com/c/AnnCatherine.
And don’t forget to LIKE and SUBSCRIBE.
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