2012 Backpacking to Northern Thailand day 19-22 Ayutthaya to Bangkok to Butterworth


L-R: Bernard Lee, Tay Seok Hooi, Lee Kam Boon, Chew Leng Soon, Ching Neng Bin at the famous Buddha in a tree near the entrance of Wat Mahathat in the ancient city of Ayutthaya.

Day 19 (24.11.12) Ayutthaya

We had very good breakfast at Tony’s Place at B150 per person and later hired bicycle to visit a few temples in town. 1st temple was Wat Mahatat and 2nd was Wat Rachaburana and next to it was Wat Srisanpetch and 4th was Wat Mongkolpopit. After the temple visit we cycled to the Sianchan Floating Market. We had dinner at this floating market. We then cycled to the train station and took a boat across the river and cycled back to Hotel.

The ancient city of Ayutthaya was the Thai capital for 417 years. Many ancient ruins and art works can be seen in a city that was founded in 1350 by King U - Thong when the Thais were forced southwards by northern neighbors. During the period of Ayutthaya being the Thai capital, 33 kings of different dynasties ruled the kingdom until it was sacked by the Burmese in 1767. Ayutthaya is located only 70 km in the north of Bangkok, and it is well known for being one of the most beautiful temple cities in Thailand.


The famous Buddha in a tree near the entrance of Wat Mahathat in the ancient city of Ayutthaya. Nobody knows for certain how the Buddha head became entwined in the roots of the tree. One theory suggests that the tree simply grew around the Buddha head during the period when the temple lay abandoned and overgrown. Another theory is that a thief moved the Buddha head away from the main temple to hide it.


Wat Mahathat ancient temple was built during the 14th century, but was reduced to ruins in 1767 when the Burmese army invaded Ayutthaya, the capital of Siam. The temple was destroyed by the Burmese who also vandalised many of the Buddha images in Ayutthaya by lopping off the heads.


Wat Mahathat is typical of the Ayutthaya ruins: large crumbling stupas surrounded by low laterite walls and rows of headless Buddhas.


Wat Mahathat ancient temple remained abandoned and overgrown until the 1950s when the Department of Fine Art began restoration work in Ayutthaya.


Wat Mahathat ancient temple remained abandoned and overgrown until the 1950s when the Department of Fine Art began restoration work in Ayutthaya.


In its heyday there had been three royal palaces, over 375 temples and 29 forts that shaped the cityscape. Until today you will find a large number of ancient temples, old ruins and spectacular historical attractions inside the Historical Park of Ayutthaya.

Wat Mahathat is typical of the Ayutthaya ruins.


Wat Mahathat is typical of the Ayutthaya ruins.


The remains of the Royal Vihara in Wat Mahathat of Ayutthaya ruins.


The remains of the Royal Vihara in Wat Mahathat of Ayutthaya ruins.


The restored towels in Wat Mahathat of the Ayutthaya ruins.


The restored towels in Wat Mahathat of the Ayutthaya ruins.


The restored towels in Wat Mahathat of the Ayutthaya ruins.


Lee Kam Boon, Chew Leng Soon and Ms Tay with the friendly staff at the Ayutthaya Historical Study Centre located on Rochana Road. This centre is a national research institute devoted to the study of Ayutthaya, especially during the period when it was the capital of Thailand. The Centre is responsible for the museum of the history of Ayutthaya, which exhibits reconstructions from the past. The Centre also supports a cinema and a library containing historical materials about Ayutthaya.


The elephant ride round the Ayutthaya Historical Park.


Wat Rachaburana is situated on the opposite to Wat Mahathat. It was built by King Boromracha II (Chao Samphraya) for his coronation ceremony at which he was crowned.


Wat Rachaburana central Prang is the large one with a cache containing many items of artifacts that are very valuable for historical and archaeological studies.


Wat Rachaburana was found that there are many rooms inside. One of those rooms decorated with red color mural and shaped up with gold leaf in different gestures relating different style of Buddha image like the walking Buddha, the Meditation etc.


Wat Phra Si Sanphet is the most outstanding monastery located in Ayutthaya Grand Palace compound.


Wat Phra Si Sanphet is the most outstanding monastery located in Grand Palace compound like Wat Phra Si Ratanasatsadaram (Wat Phra Kaeo) of Bangkok. Used as a residential palace, it became a monastery in the reign of King Ramathibodi I.


When King Borom Trai Lokanat commanded new living quarters built, this residential palace was given to be a temple area, thus originating Wat Phra Si Sanphet. The royal chapel does not have any monks and novice inhabitants.


Wat Phra Si Sanphet the most outstanding monastery located in Ayutthaya Grand Palace compound.


Wat Phra Si Sanphet the most outstanding monastery located in Ayutthaya Grand Palace compound.


Wat Phra Si Sanphet the most outstanding monastery located in Ayutthaya Grand Palace compound.


Wat Phra Si Sanphet the most outstanding monastery located in Ayutthaya Grand Palace compound.


Wat Phra Si Sanphet located in Ayutthaya Grand Palace compound.


Wat Phra Mongkol Bophit - The Wihan is located next to the entrance to Wat Phra Sri Sanphet . It houses one of the largest and most important for the faithful Buddha statues in Thailand, the Phra Mongkol Bophit.


The Wat Phra Mongkol Bophit bronze statue was under King Chairacha Thiraj cast in 1538.


The Wat Phra Mongkol Bophit huge bronze statue was probably under King Chairacha Thiraj cast in 1538.


Wat Phra Mongkol Bophit in Ayutthaya Grand Palace compound.


We cycled to the Ayothaya Floating market next to an elephant camp.

This Chao Phraya River runs around Ayutthaya City making it an island.


Ayothaya Elephant Camp beside the floating market.


Ayothaya Floating Market is a cultural and shopping destination in Si Ayutthaya Province.


This is Ayothaya Floating Market next door to the Elephant Camp.

You can easily spend a couple of hours at this Ayothaya Floating Market.


Other than shopping and eating, there are also regular shows during the day in Ayothaya Floating Market.


There are plenty of stalls selling delicious food in Ayothaya Floating Market.


There are shops with handicraft and souvenirs in Ayothaya Floating Market.


There are boats selling delicious food in Ayothaya Floating Market.




There are boats selling delicious food in Ayothaya Floating Market.


There are boats selling delicious food in Ayothaya Floating Market.


There are boats selling delicious food in Ayothaya Floating Market.


A guy in costume in Ayothaya Floating Market.


We had very good sea-food dinner at Ayothaya Floating Market.


We had very good sea-food dinner at Ayothaya Floating Market.


We had very good sea-food dinner at Ayothaya Floating Market.

Day 20 (25.11.2012) Ayutthaya to Bangkok by train
 
We took the 11.30am train from Ayutthaya to Bangkok arriving at 1.30pm. It was a two hour cheapest train journey to Bangkok at B15 pp.
 
Checked in to our Saphai-Pae hostel dorm to have a good rest before walking to Wat Yannawa and later to Chatuchak Weekend Market.


Ayutthaya Railway Station.


We took the 11.30am train from Ayutthaya to Bangkok arriving at 1.30pm. It was a two hour cheapest train journey to Bangkok at B15 pp.


All of us have to cross over the line to take the train to Bangkok from Ayutthaya.


All of us have to cross over the line to take the train to Bangkok from Ayutthaya.


Its a two hour cheapest train journey to Bangkok at B15 pp.


Ching Neng Bin entertained some school children with some country songs on the train journey to Bangkok.


Ching Neng Bin sharing a sit with a traveling monk on the train journey to Bangkok.


Arrived at Bangkok Hua Lamphong train station at 1.30pm.


Another walk to the Sathorn Pier from Bangkok Hua Lamphong train station.


Another walk to the Sathorn Pier from Bangkok Hua Lamphong train station.


Another walk to the Sathorn Pier from Bangkok Hua Lamphong train station.


Wat Yannawa is an old Bangkok temple built during the Ayutthaya period. It was originally called Wat Khok Kwai or buffalo stable. In the reign of King Rama I (1782 - 1809) the temple was designated a royal temple and renamed Wat Khok Krabue, which is still a stable for buffaloes though of a slightly different species.


The two chedis on deck represent the masts and the altar to the rear, the wheel house. Because of this, the locals call the Wat Yannawa “sampao chedi” or the Chinese junk with chedis.

The huge Chinese junk obscures the view of the bell tower and ubosot to the rear at Wat Yannawa.


The office, library block, together with the main prayer and meeting hall at Wat Yannawa.


The office, library block, together with the main prayer and meeting hall at Wat Yannawa.


Wat Yannawa in Bangkok that’s rarely visited by foreign tourists even though it’s within walking distance from the Taksin Bridge skytrain station. Most of the sightseeing is done by local visitors.


At the jetty beside Wat Yannawa, large numbers of fishes in the river can be fed.


At the Chatuchak Weekend Market.


At the Chatuchak Weekend Market.


Chew Leng Soon enjoying some Chang beer on a hot day at the Chatuchak Weekend Market.


Lee Kam Boon enjoying some Chang beer on a hot day at the Chatuchak Weekend Market.


Bangkok City by night.

Day 21 (26.11.2012) Bangkok to Butterworth by train SP35.

To day is our last day in Thailand, so what we have to do best is take good rest in the hostel. At 12 noon we took the MRT to the train station for lunch and get onboard the train at 2pm for the departure at 2.30 for Butterworth. 
 
Sleeping: Over night train to Hatyai to Butterworth.
 

Onboard the Bangkok train at 2pm for the departure at 2.30 for Butterworth.


Sleeping: Over night train to Hatyai to Butterworth.


Sleeping: Over night train to Hatyai to Butterworth.

Day 22 (27.11.2012) Butterworth arriving at 1.55pm
 
On this 22nd day of our travel we finally arrived home safely with fond memories of the journey throughout Thailand. However, as we arrived home, we were sad that another trip was over, relieved that we would now be able to rest our aching bum, and excited to be reunited with our family and friends.


Chew Leng Soon, Ching Neng Bin onboard the morning Bangkok train from Hatyai to Butterworth.


Lee Kam Boon onboard the morning Bangkok train from Hatyai to Butterworth.


Bernard Lee, Chew Leng Soon onboard the morning Bangkok train from Hatyai to Butterworth.


Ching Neng Bin onboard the morning Bangkok train from Hatyai to Butterworth.

Ching Neng Bin commented: "As always, this road trip was another interesting thing I’ve done on my travels to date. I can’t even begin to describe just how amazing it was and the next few weeks will be filled with lots of stories, photos and adventures in Northern Thailand".
 
'Sawaddeekap'
 

Photographers in action
 

Day

Expenses

THB total

  per pax

19 Buffet breakfast at Tony's Place Bht150 p.p. 770 154

bicycle rental Bht40 p.p. 200 40

entrance to Mahathat Bht50 p.p. 250 50

entrance to Phra Ram Bht50 p.p. 250 50

fee: wat Phra SiSamphet/Mongkolbopit B50pp 250 50

drinks 150 30

lunch @ Elephant Village Floating Mkt 275 55

dinner @ Elephant Village Floating Mkt 1,050 210

ferry (B4 X 5) for adults+(B2 X 5) for bicycles 30 6




20 Buffet breakfast at Tony's Place 770 154

ferry crossing to Ayutthaya train station B4 X 5 20 4

train Ayutthaya to Hua Lamphong B15 X 5 75 15

MRT Hua Lamphong to Silom/Sala Daeng 90 18

BTS Silom/Sala Daeng to Surasak 100 20

Refund on bank closing @ Bht200 per pax 0 0

Donation 6 1


Room @ Saphaipae           400

Lunch @ Hua Lamphong Railway Station
          40

BTS Surasak to Silom/Sala Daeng
          18

MRT Silom/Sala Daeng to Jatujak
          40

BTS Mo chit to Siam
          35

Dinner @ Ban Khun Mae (opp. Novetel Hotel)
        310

BTS Siam to Surasak
          25




21 B/fast @ Saphaipae
        130

BTS Surasak to Silom/Sala Daeng
          20

MRT Silom/Sala Daeng to Hua Lamphong
          18

Lunch @ Hua Lamphong Railway Station
          40

Bread for dinner on board train
          75




22 B/fast on board train
          70

Lunch @ Butterworth bus station
          64

VIP Bus Butterworth to Ipoh
        176

Bus Ipoh to KL
        172

GRAND TOTAL PER PAX 


incl Air ticket & personal expenses
THB 20,311

RM2,071.74

/// Northern Thailand Adventure, Mountains, Rivers and Temples 6th to 27th November 2012

12 comments:

  1. Hi! Ching,

    Thank you so much for sharing, you make me wanting to go back to Thailand lo! Don't worry I am going to spend every 6 months in Asia when I retire....not too long from now. I can see Chew and gangs are having fun and great time too.

    Thank you and please don't delete my name from your list .....bye

    Regards,
    Suney ..Toronto

    ReplyDelete
  2. 1. It's extraordinary to see head of Buddha embedded snugly within the tree trunk. Must be a grand old tree.
    2. The unique shape of the Chinese Junk temple " Sampao Chedi" stands clear evidence of the Chinese's arrival and existence in Bangkok in history.
    3. The restored temples of the ruins at Ayuthia with their sharp pointing tips and spiral body shape at the base look Burmese. Of course most still resembles the ruined temples of Angkor Wat - i.e. the Hindu styled ruins.
    4. Regarding the river that surrounds Ayuthia, thus making it an island. Wonder is it a water way like canals in Suzhou/Hangzhou/Shanghai? The water surface is calm and paints a picture of unhurried serenity unlike Bangkok's noisy, busy and traffic jammed floating market.
    5. Ha, guitarist on board the train to entertain! How nice. Looks like a borrowed guitar. It's good to stir up some scenes and to kill some time and boredom during the long hours while travelling.
    6. Yeah it's foodies'holiday to enjoy the seemingly delicious good sea-food dinner at the floating market. Sure you guys thoroughly enjoyed and deserved the sumptuous treat and very willing to pay for it.
    7. The sleeping berth of the train from BK to B'worth- I believe it's KTM coach, looks large and wide.(maybe photo-view presents it big)
    8. End of journey always marks a milestone in one's life that leaves ineradicable memory. There's always a feeling that somethings'not done, or some places not covered to visit yet, and some long lasting memories linger on etc. In the end, home is where one yearns to get back to where one belongs!
    9. For seasoned traveler/blogger Ching NB, he will heave a sigh when all details of his well documented travelogue with multitude of photos, are completed and posted. Thank NB, you've done it all so well.

    Regards,
    Alan


    ReplyDelete
  3. Ching,

    so exciting & nice !

    and was a great price ! :)

    Regards,

    Gan

    ReplyDelete
  4. Francis Chow17 February, 2013

    Thanks for sharing, really miss these kind of travel & sightseeing.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Calvin Ho Ch'an Hin17 February, 2013

    Great pic, such a well planned trip, cheers!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Philip Aloysius Chong17 February, 2013

    Ching, thanks for sharing your great holidays. Best Regards.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Poon Voon Heong20 February, 2013

    Thank you so much for sharing your interesting journey to Northern Thailand. Regards, Capt.Poon

    ReplyDelete
  8. 'There is a 'TERM' for what you are doing:- call, 'bloody good life'!! You live 20yrs longer on top of what was karma 'ed' for.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Ong Keng Ming21 February, 2013

    Thanks Ching, looked very good.
    Do you need very good legs to do the journey(backpacking) or everything
    taken care of?

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hi Ching,
    As always, thanks for sharing. You sure are adventurous and a traveler. Simply beautiful!!! Keep it up.

    ReplyDelete
  11. TEONG JIN LEE28 February, 2013

    Hi Ching, thanks for sharing, with great tips too.Hope you enjoyed and start preparing for another!!!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Bravo!!! Wow what awesome people you and your team are!!!!

    Best regards
    ANNE M NGALIM

    ReplyDelete