Ayutthaya is a city just over 70 kilometers north of Bangkok! Only a few hours away from Bangkok A day round trip will allow you to visit and worship the ruins of this ancient capital from the Ayutthaya era hundreds of years ago. Not many tourists during the week, so it's great for wandering around.
The history of Ayutthaya?
There are a lot of movies about those ancient wars revolved around Ayutthaya, the old capital of Thailand. Ayutthaya had been the old capital of Thailand until the 18th century when the capital was moved to present day Bangkok. Because of the tragic Burmese and Thai wars between the 16th and 18th centuries, many buildings and temples in Ayutthaya were burned down and only a few ruins remain. Ayutthaya was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991 and is not to be missed if you are interested in the history of Siam (the old name for Thailand).
Can I rent a bicycle to tour Ayutthaya?
It is definitely possible to rent bicycles there, and it is also a great way to travel around Ayutthaya with less effort and more leisure. You can rent a bike for 40 baht per day, no deposit required, just register with your passport, and a map is included. There are also 150cc-200cc motorcycles available for rent, usually for 200 thais/day, with a deposit required.
Where do I get the bus from Ayutthaya to Bangkok?
You can take a train back to Bangkok from Ayutthaya Railway Station, east of Ayutthaya City (on the island), and there are about a dozen trains a day. The journey takes 1.5 hours and costs only 20 baht for regular trains and 300 baht for air-conditioned trains.
You can also take a coach. There are two coach stations in Ayutthaya, both on the island. The shuttles from the south, west and east stop at Th Naresuan coach station, which is located in the north of the island, near the Phra Mahathai temple. Buses from the north stop at another bus station in the northeast part of town where hotels and restaurants are concentrated. The fare is around 50 baht and the journey takes 2 hours.
Is it possible to take a group photo with the Ayutthaya Buddha Tree?
Yes, you can. Tourists who go anywhere will basically take pictures with the Ayutthaya Buddha Tree. However, if you want to take a picture, you must squat down because according to Thai custom, your own head cannot exceed the Buddha's head. There will be staff next to remind tourists.