🚂 Good morning from Hua Lamphong Station. Today is the 126th anniversary of the opening of the first railway in Thailand and the founding of the Thai State Railways on March 26, 1897. Today I took a steam train to the ancient capital of Thailand for a day trip that I designed myself. I will take a boat and Tuk Tuk for this tour.
TRAVEL DATES: March 25, 2023
There are six steam train journeys a year on important dates. They went to three different locations: Ayutthaya, Chachoengsao and Nakhon Pathom. Tickets cost 299 Baht for Class 3 (8 cars) and 799 Baht for Class 1 (2 cars).
Steam Train Travel Guide in Thailand – Thai Train Guide thaitrainguide.com/excursion-trai…
When the train arrived at Ayutthaya You need to think about what you want to do next because this train ticket does not include a tour. Options include Tuk Tuk tours, bike or motorbike rentals, or even a boat trip which I decided I wanted to do.
We rented a long tail boat via Facebook page Tippawan boat (facebook.com/profile.php?id…). It costs 700 Baht for a full loop around the old city plus 100 Baht per stop. We did three stops and it was 1000 Baht. They picked us up at the station pier.
The first stop on our boat tour is Wat Phanan Choeng Worawihan. It was founded shortly before the establishment of Ayutthaya as the capital. The main building enshrines a huge seated Buddha, 17 meters high.
📍MAP: map.app.goo.gl/JcA2btXC3XG8h3…
There are no fixed stops during the boat tour. If you like a place and there's a pier, you can stop there. Our second stop is Wat Phuttaisawan. The highlight is the Khmer style Prang which is surrounded by many smaller pagodas.
📍MAP: map.app.goo.gl/GBaTx4wv3nSpGQ…
Our third and final stop on the boat tour was at Wat Chaiwatthanaram. This temple was built in 1630 by King Prasat Thong. It has a 35 meter high prang. This is a popular location for Thai people to wear antique clothes to take photos.
📍MAP: map.app.goo.gl/UNDkRzvVJFQ551…
The complete boat tour around the historic city takes about an hour non-stop. We started the tour at the Station Pier (map.app.goo.gl/g1RVCJwxURQt2V…) but we had to call to arrange it. The actual pier is opposite the Chantharakasem National Museum (map.app.goo.gl/vfr1JnNnrhUkMx…).
Lunch today at Jab Kang Hi-So. I had the signature dish which is Egg Noodles with Grilled River Prawns. These include roasted red pork, prawn dumplings, Chinese sausage, crispy pork, poached eggs and river prawns. It is 199 Baht.
📍MAP: map.app.goo.gl/sEvWoqpw5cMsmq…
(11) After lunch, we still had a few hours, so we went on a Tuk Tuk tour of the old city. Tuk Tuk in front of station is 300 Baht/hour but we booked Krungsri Travel TukTuk service (facebook.com/Tutukkkrungsri…) which is 200 Baht/hour.
The first stop on our Tuk Tuk tour is Wat Na Phra Meru Rachikaram. I think it is the most beautiful Buddha image in Ayutthaya. He is six meters tall and has a crown. It remarkably survived the defeat of Ayutthaya in 1767.
📍MAP: map.app.goo.gl/SLgvfm5UKm4497…
The second stop in Ayutthaya is the icon Wat Phra Si Sanphet. It used to be in the Grand Palace complex in Ayutthaya when it was the capital. Only these three Chedis remain.
📍MAP: map.app.goo.gl/3BKUauRyRXKHuS…
Our third stop on the Tuk Tuk tour was at Wat Mahathat. All tour guides bring their customers here to take photos of the famous Buddha head wrapped in a tree. This is a must see location in Ayutthaya.
📍MAP: map.app.goo.gl/XkG8bzyHKuHQKY…
Next to Wat Mahathat Wat Ratchaburana. Not so many tourists come here but it is an impressive site. It was in this dungeon that many gold items were found. They are now on display at the Chao Sam Phraya National Museum.
📍MAP: map.app.goo.gl/kcKQXuyyV2pKwb…
The fifth and final stop on our Tuk Tuk tour of Ayutthaya is at Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon. Of particular interest are the 60 meter high bell-shaped chedi and the huge Reclining Buddha.
📍MAP: map.app.goo.gl/WATxV5xQ79UgbY…
We finished our tour at the train station. While we waited for the steam train to take us home, we had coffee in Station. It was my first time visiting and I was impressed by the size and decor as well as the food menu.
📍MAP: map.app.goo.gl/ApxRQvLa57bcyL…
This now concludes our one day trip to Ayutthaya take the steam train. I hope you've enjoyed my photos and that I've inspired you to take this trip the next time there's a steam train excursion to Ayutthaya.
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