OK, it is the temples and the history that deservedly earn Ayutthaya its place as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Away from, or in-between, that side of things are a few other places that are well worth a visit. If you venture a mile or so outside of the island city, you can find the King Naresuan Monument. If you are on foot or bicycle … Continue reading Ayutthaya – Beyond the Temples…
There is hardly a spot in Ayutthaya where you are unable to see a prang, chedi or link to this ancient capital’s past. Our ticket covered what they consider to be the six most important temples to visit, but there are so many more. We wandered around on foot, covering god knows how many miles, and these are our favourite discoveries. They are listed in … Continue reading Ayutthaya – Temples, the Best of the Rest…
Our third day took us off the main island to the east, close to the railway station. We used the ferry to cross the river, the pier is just a hundred metres from the station. Our visit to Wat Maheyong would be the final tick of the big six, or at least the ones covered on the multi-temple ticket. Wat Maheyong was built in 1438, … Continue reading Ayutthaya – Temples, Day Three…
The ancient city of Ayutthaya was the Thai capital for 417 years. The city was founded in 1350 by King U-Thong when the Thais were forced to retreat southwards from Sukhothai by their northern neighbours. Across those 400+ years, thirty-three kings of various dynasties ruled the kingdom. In 1767, Ayatthaya was occupied and destroyed, much of it razed to the ground by the Burmese. The … Continue reading Ayutthaya – Temples, Day One…
Away from the grisly historical side, Kanchanaburi is an attractive town with vibrant night markets, walking streets, riverside parks and even a skywalk. The Kanchanaburi Skywalk was built during COVID at the point where the three rivers of Kanchanaburi, the Mae Klong, Phachi and Kwae Yaï meet. With being 12 meters high, it offers panoramic views of the river and the mountains beyond. The glass … Continue reading Kanchanaburi
Recharged and with a good breakfast inside us, we set off early, keen to get to Wat Mahathat before all the buses laden with day visitors from Bangkok. The name ‘Mahathat’ translates as Great Relic Chedi and the temple was constructed to house the remains of the Buddha himself no less. Legend has it that King Ramesuan was looking out of his palace, surveying his … Continue reading Ayutthaya – Temples, Day Two…
Our heritage walk of Kanchanaburi is centred around the Pak Phraek Road area. This is the oldest community in Kanchanaburi, and its name is derived from the Chinese words Pak and Phek, which translates as the crossroad. When these homes were built they would have been beside the river. These days, they are a whole street further back running adjacent to the Sky Walk and … Continue reading Kanchanaburi Heritage Street and the Old Paper Mill
In 1942 Japan took Myanmar, or Burma as it was then, from British control. To secure a supply route to service their forces, they needed a rail link. Allied submarines patrolled the seas around the region, so that was ruled out. The rail link, however, would be no easier. The mountainous terrain, dense jungle, monsoon rains and threat of tropical disease would make the task … Continue reading Bridge Over the River Kwai
Oldest On the Bus 