Until Pho Khun Bang Klang Hao led and won a rebellion against the city’s rulers in 1238, Sukhothai was part of the Khmer Empire. Successful in his campaign, he became the first king of the newly formed Sukhothai Kingdom. In sanskrit, Sukhothai means ‘dawn of happiness’, and historians believe that it was here that Thailand’s introduction to the Buddhist religion was introduced. The Sukhothai kingdom … Continue reading Old Sukhothai Kingdom
This small town was the seat of the Kingdom of Champasak until the French abolished this independent state in 1945 and created the Kingdom of Laos. The town is even smaller today, more a series of villages that nestle on a pair of roads beside the Mekong River. A string of guesthouses and restaurants cater to the tourists who are visiting the UNESCO World Heritage … Continue reading Champasak
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 first wander around Vientiane has an air of familiarity, yet we have never visited here before. Nestled on the Mekong and with French colonial architecture and wide boulevards in a grid pattern it has shades of Phnom Penh, the capital city of Cambodia. It also shares that same tired look, a little shabby, almost neglected, around the edges. Victory monument or Patuxay as it … Continue reading Vientiane
Okay, there were more than two we visited today but we feel that this pair deserve a mention, well worth a look if your time in Luang Prabang permits. Wat That Luang was the cremation site for Laos royalty up until 1975. Built on a low hill in 1817, close to the banks of the Mekong. If you are imagining grandeur then sorry to disappoint, … Continue reading Two more temples…
Our return from Nong Khiaw was less fraught, a local bus and a view out of the front window screen. The roads are horrendous, a trace of tarmac along the centre strip and bare hardcore either side of that. Drivers heading in both directions vie for the smoothest ride, no doubt to protect their precious van and income as much as the backs of their … Continue reading Luang Prabang, take two…
Our first day is the opportunity for us to get our bearings, tomorrow we take a minibus to Nong Khiaw. We haven’t gone crazy – leaving after a day – on our return we will spend another five days here. We start early, temperatures are set to reach the mid-thirties by this afternoon. Our first mission is Phousi Hill, and That Chomsi that sits astride … Continue reading Luang Prabang, literally perfect.
Our last full day in Chiang Rai, in fact our final day for now in Thailand, the Blue Temple – Wat Rong Suea Ten – is a must see. Before we head there we revisit a temple that we briefly looked at on the day we arrived, Wat Ming Muang, unusual as rather than being adorned with dragons and serpents, images of elephants are the … Continue reading Thai temples ticked off…
Oldest On the Bus 