Ayutthaya: Temples and Elephant Adventures – A Day Trip from Bangkok

Planning a trip to Bangkok? Wondering if you should go outside the city?

• ✔️ What’s so special about Ayutthaya?
• ✔️ How do I get there, and is it worth the trip?
• ✔️ What’s the deal with the elephants?

Well, let me tell you, if you’re looking for a dose of culture and history away from the hustle of Bangkok, a day trip to Ayutthaya is an absolute must.

Why You Should Visit Ayutthaya

When you think of Bangkok, you might picture the shopping malls and rooftop bars.

But to truly experience Thailand, you’ve gotta get out to Ayutthaya.

Founded in 1350, it was the capital of the Ayutthaya Kingdom, and the whole city is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Seeing the huge Buddha statues and those intricate towers, you can’t help but feel a bit in awe.

I joined a tour that kicked off from the Bangkok Riverside Centre.

Breathing in that fresh air along the Chao Phraya River in the morning was a great way to start the day.

The drive to Ayutthaya took around an hour and twenty minutes, and even the petrol station shop we stopped at felt authentic.

Seeing the tour buses filled up early on a weekday, you knew it was a popular spot.

It was a massive contrast to the busy streets of Bangkok. The vibe in Ayutthaya is calm and peaceful, like time has stood still.

Exploring the Temples

First up, we hit Wat Chaiwatthanaram, and wow, the scale of this place is something else.

Seeing that central tower, it really reminded me of Angkor Wat in Cambodia.

Looking at the Buddha statues with damaged heads, it really makes you think about the battles that happened there.

It was about 33 degrees that day, but the breeze kept things bearable. (Good thing I had a sun umbrella, haha!)

The colours of the red brick and blue sky were amazing, so even a quick snap looked good.

Next, we went to Wat Lokayasutharam to see the massive 42-metre reclining Buddha.

Seeing it in person, the size is truly incredible, and it gives you a sense of peace.

Watching locals praying there showed me how important this place is to them.

There’s not much shade, and you get sweaty after five minutes, but the stunning scenery kept me there.

Wat Phra Si Sanphet, was the most important temple inside the Ayutthaya Royal Palace.

The highlight is those three huge bell-shaped towers all lined up.

Because it’s where the remains of the kings are kept, it has this grand, solemn feel to it.

Touching the old bricks, you really felt like you were standing in a historical place.

The only downside was having to rush through the highlights due to the tour schedule.

Elephant Trekking Fun

After the temples, it was off to the elephant experience.

Seeing the elephants from a distance was a great feeling.

Riding an elephant around the historical sites is something special you can only do in Ayutthaya.

I bought a basket of food for 50 baht and gave it to one of the elephants, and it was so clever how it used its trunk to grab the food.

The views from the top of the elephant were a completely different perspective than seeing things from the ground.

The kids with their families looked like they were having an absolute blast.

The last stop was Wat Mahathat, the famous temple with the Buddha head in the Bodhi tree roots.

Seeing what I’d only read about was fantastic. The Buddha and the tree roots looked like they’d always been together.

Looking at the Buddha’s peaceful smile, you felt all your tiredness just melt away.

When you take photos, it’s polite to kneel and sit below the Buddha.

The afternoon sun shining through the broken walls created a really magical atmosphere.

We got back to Bangkok around 2:30 PM.

It was a truly satisfying trip that felt like I’d time-travelled.

The tour bus made getting around so easy, especially with Bangkok’s traffic.

I highly recommend an Ayutthaya day trip – it’s a great way to experience a different side of Thailand.