Ayutthaya: My Favourite Day Trip From Bangkok, Ayutthaya, Thailand

My first time in Ayutthaya was in 2010, on a simple day trip from Bangkok with my brother. We took the train, got off feeling brave, and immediately rented the heaviest, most wobbly iron bikes you can imagine. No gears, questionable brakes, and the kind of seat that makes you rethink your life choices after ten minutes.

It was scorching hot, we laughed the whole time, and by late afternoon, we were covered in dust, sweat, and that very specific kind of happiness you only get when a day is slightly chaotic but absolutely right.

I’ve been back more than once since then, and the funny thing is: Ayutthaya still feels best in that exact format. Train, bike, temples, heat, no rush.

Ayutthaya isn’t just a “temple stop”. It’s the former capital of the Kingdom of Siam, and between the 14th and 18th centuries, it was one of the region’s great cities, until it was destroyed in 1767. The ruins you cycle between today are part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site for a reason.

What I love most is the scale. You’re not walking around one single archaeological site. You’re moving through an entire landscape of history: brick stupas, Buddha heads tangled in roots, monastery walls cracked by time, and wide open spaces where you can actually breathe. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).