Ayutthaya: Unmissable day trip from Bangkok

A UNESCO World Heritage Site worth a day trip from Bangkok, Ayuthaya’s historic temples are scattered throughout this once magnificent city and along the encircling rivers. Several of the more central ruins – Wat Phra Si Sanphet, Wat Mongkhon Bophit, Wat Na Phra Meru, Wat Thammikarat, Wat Ratburana and Wat Phra Mahathat – can be visited on foot. You could add more temples and ruins to your itinerary by touring the city on a rented bicycle. An ideal transport combination for visitors who want to see everything would be to hire a bicycle for the central temples and charter a long-tail boat to take a tour of the outlying ruins along the river.

The sacred city, the sacked city, Ayuthaya is complexly intertwined with Thai nationalism and religion. As the former royal capital, Ayuthaya earned the emerging Thai nation a place among the great empires of Southeast Asia, and placement on the map used by the international merchants sailing between India and China during the era of the trade winds. As a city that was destroyed by an invading army, Ayuthaya is eulogised like a slain hero. But what is recounted in history and legend is not easily recognizable today. The ancient monuments retain little of their bygone majesty, with only a handful in recognisable forms. The modern city that grew among the rubble is busy and provincial, adding a distracting element of chaos to the meditative mood of crumbled kingdoms.

Getting to Ayuthaya by bus & train

Ayuthaya has two bus terminals. The long-distance terminal is 5km east of central Ayuthaya and serves destinations north of the city; most locals refer to it as the AsiaHighway station. The provincial bus stop is on Th Naresuan, a short walk from the guesthouse area. Buses from Bangkok arrive two blocks away from the provincial stop. Ayuthaya-bound buses leave from Bangkok’s Northern and Northeastern bus terminal (45B, 1½ hours, frequent) and pass by the old Don Muang airport on their way out of town. The old airport used to provide an ideal getaway for visitors who wanted to skip Bangkok in favour of Ayuthaya, but now that the airport has moved to Bangkok’s eastern suburbs the trip is more involved. You must take a bus from the new airport to Don Muang and then catch an Ayuthaya-bound bus from the stop near the Don Muang train station. There are also minivans to Bangkok’s Victory Monument (60B, two hours, every 20 minutes from 5am to 5pm), leaving from Th Naresuan, east of the main bus terminal. Buses to Lopburi (45B, two hours) leave frequently from the provincial terminal on Th Naresuan. Oversized sǎwngthǎew (small pick-up trucks) to/from Bang Pa-In (20B, one hour) also leave from this stop. The long-distance bus station has services to most major northern towns, including Sukhothai (216B to 300B, six hours, hourly departures), Chiang Mai (605B to 805B, nine hours, three evening departures) and Nan (500B to 800B, eight hours, three nightly departures).

Getting to Ayuthaya by train from Bangkok: The train station is east of central Ayuthaya and is accessible by a quick cross-river ferry. Trains to Ayuthaya leave Bangkok’s Hualamphong station throughout the day with more departures between 6am to 10am and from 3pm to 11pm. Train schedules are available from the information booth at Hualamphong station. To save transit time, consider using Bangkok’s subway system to go to Bang Sue station, which intersects with the state railway line at the station of the same name. You can also use the train to go north to Chiang Mai or northeast to Pak Chong (numerous departures), the jumping-off point for Khao Yai National Park.

Rose Garden, Nakhon Pathom Province

The Rose Garden at Suan Sampran at the Nakhon Pathom located within 60km (37mi) west of Bangkok, is regarded as the oldest city in Thailand and it has been voted by Tripadvisor as one of the well-worth day trip options from Bangkok. TheRose garden and the city of Nakhon Pathom is host to the 127m (417ft), orange-tiled Phra Pathom Chedi, the tallest Buddhist monument in the world. The original monument, now buried within the massive orange-glazed dome, was erected in the 6th century by Theravada Buddhists. The chedi has endured various incarnations at the hands of Khmer, Burmese and Chinese refurbishers. There is a floating market nearby at Khlong Damnoen Saduak. The rose garden at Suan Sampran occupied an area of around 145,000 square metres, representing a Thai-style houses and an 18-hole golf course which makes it even more interesting for the golf lovers, as well as the Patom Organic Farm and traditional village. Once there, check out the traditional gifts shops, food stalls and try to get yourself a special gift from this area. If you are looking to plan an unusual day trips from Bangkok, then Nakhon Pathom and the rose garden reveal the typical provincial Thai city, with Phra Pathom Chedi as a visible link to Nakhon Pathom’s claim as the country’s oldest city. The town also proudly wears its first-born status within its name, which derives from the Pali ‘Nagara Pathama’ meaning ‘First City’. At one time Nakhon Pathom functioned as the centre of the Dvaravati kingdom, a loose collection of Mon city states that flourished between the 6th and 11th centuries AD in Mae Nam Chao Phraya valley. Some historians speculate that the area may have been inhabited before India’s Asokan period (3rd century BC), as there is a theory that Buddhist missionaries from India visited Nakhon Pathom at that time. Although the town is quite sleepy, it is an easy destination to see everyday Thai ways and practise your newly acquired language skills on a community genuinely appreciative of such efforts.

Getting to rose garden at Nakhon Pathom

Nakhon Pathom is 56km west of Bangkok. The city doesn’t have a central bus station, but most transport arrives and departs from near the market and train station. Air-con buses 83 and 997 leave from the Southern bus terminal (in Thonburi) for Nakhon Pathom (one hour, frequent departures). To return to Bangkok, catch one of the idling buses on Th Phayaphan, a block from the train station. Buses to Damnoen Saduak floating market (bus 78, 30 minutes) leave from the same stop, departing every 30 minutes. You can also wave down Samut Sakhon–bound buses (45 minutes) at this stop. Nakhon Pathom is on the spur rail line that runs from Thonburi’s Bangkok Noi station to Kanchanaburi’s Nam Tok station. Until recently, it was a minor commuter line, but because a portion of the line is part of the historic ‘Death Railway’, built by WWII prisoners of war during Japanese occupation, rates for foreigners have increased under a tourism-promotion scheme. Ordinary trains (3rd class) leave Thonburi (Bangkok Noi) for Nakhon Pathom at 7.40am and 1.45pm (100B, approximately 1¼ hours) en route to Kanchanaburi and Nam Tok. The return train leaves Nakhon Pathom at 8.55am and 4.20pm. There are also more frequent (and affordable) trains from Bangkok’s Hualamphong station (two hours) throughout the day.

Koh Si Chang

If you’re looking for the archetypes of Thai island life – sweeping sandy beaches, coconut groves and beyond all, not far from Bangkok for a day trips – you won’t find them on this sliver of green in the big blue Ao Krung Thep (Bight of Bangkok). On Ko Si Chang you’ll have to settle for a fishing village atmosphere; gentle hills studded with Chinese and Thai temples; and beachfront reminders of a stately royal palace. Enrich your mind through meditation in the limestone caves of the Tham Yai Phrik Vipassana Monastery and exercise your body by paddling a kayak to nearby Bat Island, where there’s good snorkelling.  On weekdays you’ll have this gentle footfall on the Thai tourist trail all to yourself, but things liven up at the weekend when Bangkok holidaymakers arrive. When in the beautiful island, visit Hat Tha Wang Palace which was used as a summer retreat by King Chulalongkorn (Rama V), but was abandoned when the French briefly occupied the island in 1893. Today, locals and visitors enjoy picnics on the perfectly manicured grounds. The ornate San Jao Phaw Khao Yai is a stunning Chinese temple believed to date back as far as China’s Ming dynasty. Explore multiple shrine-caves and climb the several levels for splendid views of the sea.

Also, A Buddhist meditation hermitage, Tham Yai Phrik Vipassana Centre surrounds a series of meditation caves filled with Buddha images and swooping bats. These caves first came to the attention of monks when they discovered that some of the formations contained the natural likeness of Buddha. Today, monks from all over Thailand come here to take advantage of the peaceful environment for meditation. In addition, A day trip from Bangkok to Ko Si Chang as one-town island offshore from Chonburi Province on the Gulf of Thailand is practically deserted, making it great fun to explore. Its attractions include a meditation centre with hermit caves, decent beaches with good snorkelling, a ruined palace, limestone caves and a Chinese temple perched on a cliff overlooking the sea. Most of the population are fisherfolk, mariners, customs officials or workers in aquaculture projects. Camping is permitted anywhere on the island, but if you don’t want to tent it, there are numerous hostels and bungalow-style operations. To get there, take a bus from Bangkok’s eastern bus terminal or from Pattaya to Si Racha, about 105km (65mi) from Bangkok. Boats to Ko Si Chang leave hourly from the pier in Si Racha.

Getting there

Boats to Ko Si Chang leave hourly from the Ko Loi jetty in Sri Racha. The fare is 70B each way; the first boat leaves at 7am and the last at 8pm. From Ko Si Chang boats shuttle back hourly from 6am to 6pm. Boats leave promptly. A túk-túk to the ferry from Sri Racha’s waterfront hotels is 50B.

Crocodile Farm

Crocodile farm bring the idea of day trips from Bangkok with kids, the place is located within Tambon Tai Pan about 4 KM from Samut Prakan (South of Bangkok), about 30 Kilometers from the center of capital. The crocodile farm was built in 1950 as the first crocodile farm in Thailand. Now it is the largest crocodile farm in the world, the facilities have more than 60,000 crocodiles of different types in multiple areas, ponds, pools and trenches. Once in the farm, don’t miss to take a look at the largest known Crocodile known as the Siamese crocodile, named Yai. Visitors to the crocodile farm can see a wide variety of different animals other than crocodiles, including elephants, lions, tigers, monkeys, horses, and hippos, again, this zoo and animal farm is the best place for a day trip from Bangkok specially if you are traveling with children. This farm is an education and research zoo for the conservation of wildlife where visitors have chance to learn about these glowering reptiles at a crocodile projects.

How to get to Crocodile farm from Bangkok

You can easily travel from Ancient City of Samut Prakan to the zoo and farm. Getting a taxi is the best and fastest option, oh yea and the Tuk Tuk would be a fun ride.

Koh Kret, or Koh Kred

Heading toward the north of the Chao Praya River and is a perfect half-day excursion from central Bangkok. The island has a diameter of 6 kilometers very pleasant to travel. It is a very quiet island and its family members are engaged in agriculture, fishing and pottery. You can also try delicious sweets. You can also rent a bicycle to explore it. Escape the intense chaos of Bangkok and visit a traditional rural island in the middle of the Chao Phraya River to learn about its pottery, its food, its temples and the Mon tribe. On this island, you can meet the people whose ancestors dominated ancient Thailand for centuries. Admire its culture and its clay crafts, enjoy its traditional dishes or visit the ancient temples in the rustic village. Ko Kret Island is located just 20 kilometers (12.5 miles) north of central Bangkok. This place became an island in 1722, when a canal was excavated to cut a short cut through a bend in the Chao Phraya River.

The island is a rural place and is the refuge of the Mon people. The Mons originate from southwest China and formed one of the first human settlements in the region that is now Thailand. They converted to Buddhism in the 5th century AD. and they still retain many of their old beliefs. Although they have their own language, a good part of the thousands of Mon who still live today have stopped speaking it. The Mons are famous for their unvarnished terracotta-based pottery with carved patterns on the surface. Touring the island on foot takes around two hours, but you can rent a bicycle or transport yourself by motorcycle or water taxi. Mind you, you won’t see a single car in Ko Kret. Wat Poramaiyakawt is the main temple in Ko Kret and has a small museum. Visit the gigantic reclining Buddha of Phra Wihan. If you are hungry, you can try authentic Mon food at some stall. Many dishes are usually served on banana leaves or in traditional clay pots. And if you have a craving for something sweet, be sure to visit the “Calle de los Postres”. Visit the Kwan Aman Pottery Museum for beautiful examples of traditional Mon pottery. You can buy small candlesticks or incense burners, among other ceramic objects, in one of the many stalls on the island. The easiest way to get to Ko Kret Island is by taking a day tour on a river cruise, which also stops at other attractions along the way. The public ferry runs fast on Sunday mornings. To avoid the crowds, we recommend using public transportation and spending the night there.

How to get there

Long tail boats take you to Koh Kret island from Nonthaburi pier in Bangkok.

Kanchanaburi: Death Railway & River Kwai

With field, forest and stream, Kanchanaburi has become a catch basin and an ideal day trip for new arrivals overwhelmed by Bangkok (a mere 130km east) and a closer alternative than Chiang Mai for Thailand’s soft version of ‘trekking’ (elephant rides, short hikes and bamboo rafting). The town sits in a fertile valley where sugar-cane fields bow in the breeze, measuring out an easy pace. In addition to outdoor appreciation, the limestone hills surrounding Kanchanaburi are famous for their temple caves, an underground communion of animistic spirit worship and traditional Buddhism. Winding arteries burrow into the guts of the caves past bulbous calcium deposits and altars for Buddha images, surrounded by offerings from pilgrims. The Death Railway in Kanchanaburi (west of Bangkok). Despite the gloomy name, it is not a dangerous train or anything like that. The name is related to a historical episode (popularized by the movie “The Bridge on the River Kwai”) in which thousands of people left their lives.

How to get there by bus or train

Kanchanaburi’s bus station is at the southern end of town, near the TAT office on Th Saengchuto. The following destinations are served: Bangkok’s Southern bus terminal (100B, three hours, every 20 minutes between 4am and 8pm); Bangkok’s Northern and Northeastern bus terminal (2nd/1st class 100/122B, three hours, every hour between 6.30am and 5pm); Nakhon Pathom (70B, two hours, every 15 minutes between 4am and 7pm); Sangkhlaburi (ordinary/air-con 110/200B, five hours, every hour); and Suphanburi (42B, 1½ hours, every 20 minutes), where you can connect to Ayuthaya. You can bypass Bangkok if you’re heading south by going to Ratchaburi (47B, two hours, frequent) and picking up a Hua Hin- or Phetchaburi-bound bus. If you’re heading north to Chiang Mai or around, your best bet is to backtrack to Bangkok’s Northern and Northeastern terminal in time to pick up a Chiang Mai–bound bus.

Kanchanaburi’s train station is 2km northwest of the bus station and is within walking distance to the guesthouse area. Kanchanaburi is on the Bangkok Noi–Nam Tok rail line, which includes a portion of the historic Death Railway built by WWII POWs during the Japanese occupation of Thailand. Although the modern usage of the line used to be a low-key commuter route, SRT has decided to promote it as a historic line and hike the rates for foreigners to 100B between any station, regardless of distance. If you’re travelling from Bangkok Noi station (located in Thonburi, across the river from Bangkok), this flat fare represents reasonable value, considering the scenery and subtracting the discomfort of an ordinary (non-airconditioned) cabin. The most historic part of the journey begins north of Kanchanaburi as the train crosses the Death Railway Bridge and terminates at Nam Tok station. For some the flat rate of 100B will seem negligible; others will feel slightly stung considering a bus costs half the amount and we won’t even bother telling you what Thais pay. Ordinary trains leave Thonburi’s Bangkok Noi station at 7.45am and 1.30pm for Kanchanaburi. Trains return to Bangkok Noi from Kanchanaburi at 7.15am, 2.45pm and 5.40pm. The journey takes about four hours. Trains along the historic portion of the rail line leave Kanchanaburi heading north to Nam Tok at 5.50am, 10.20am and 4.20pm. Return trains depart from Nam Tok at 5.20am, 12.50pm and 3.15pm. The trip takes about two hours. The Nam Tok train station is within walking distance to Sai Yok Noi waterfall and beside the highway; if you miss the return train, you can always flag down one of the frequent Sangkhlaburi-Kanchanaburi buses.

DAY TRIPS FROM BANGKOK: A day trip is when you visit all the must see around the Thailand and now you are looking for an idea to explore some of the best bit on a day trips from Bangkok Thailand. Above, we listed daily tours and excursions ranging from pretty much everything you’d expect for a day tour from the capital of Siam. Go beyond extraordinary advices and browse our Thailand travel tips