DETAILS

FULL LENGTH TOUR DESCRIPTION
PLEASE NOTE: THE FOLLOWING DESCRIPTION DENOTES DEPARTURE FROM LAEM CHABANG, HOWEVER THE TOUR MAY ALSO OPERATE FROM BANGKOK’S KLONG TOEY PORT. TIMING BREAKDOWNS FOR BOTH OPTIONS ARE PROVIDED BELOW.

Today, you will travel overland, 85 kilometres (53 miles) from the port of Bangkok by private air-conditioned coach to Ayutthaya, the former capital of Thailand (1350-1767). Although sacked, looted and razed by Burmese invaders in the 18th century, the surviving ruins of Ayutthaya stand as a testament to the former glory of what was once the most magnificent city in the Orient. During its 417-year history, it was the capital for 33 kings of five dynasties.

Sightseeing includes visits to Wat Phra Sri Sanphet, the royal temple which originally stood within the compound of the king's palace; Viharn Phra Mongkol Bopit, the building that enshrines the enormous bronze Buddha statue of Phra Mongkol Bopit, one of the largest in Thailand; Wat Phanan Choeng, notable in that it is believed to pre-date the founding of Ayutthaya as the capital by some 26 years. It enshrines a massive image of the seated Buddha.
Lunch will be served at a local restaurant.

You will also visit Bang Pa-In, a palace complex formerly used by the Thai kings as a royal summer dwelling. King Prasat Thong originally constructed the complex in 1632, and though it lay empty and overgrown throughout the late 18th and early 19th centuries, King Mongkut began to restore the site in the mid-1800s. Most of the present buildings were constructed between 1872 and 1889 by King Chulalongkorn.

The facilities include vast gardens and landscaping, Wehart Chamrunt (Heavenly Light), a Chinese-style royal palace and throne room; the Warophat Phiman (Excellent and Shining Heavenly Abode), a royal residence; Ho Withun Thasana (Sages' Lookout), a brightly-painted lookout tower; and the Aisawan Thiphya-Art (Divine Seat of Personal Freedom), a pavilion constructed in the middle of a pond. The palace remains largely open to visitors, as King Bhumibol Adulyadej and his family use it only rarely for banquets and special occasions.
Afterwards, drive back to port.
 
SHORT LENGTH TOUR DESCRIPTION
The surviving ruins of Ayutthaya stand as a testament to the former glory of what was once the most magnificent city in the Orient. Explore its temples and palaces, one of which enshrines one of the largest bronze Buddha statues in Thailand. After lunch, see the vast gardens and palaces of the former royal summer palace complex of Bang Pa-In.
 
TIMING BREAKDOWN FROM LAEM CHABANG PORT
00:00 – 00:20 Disembark and board on the air conditioned coach
00:20 – 02:20 Drive overland from Laem Chabang Port to Ayutthaya
02:20 – 04:00 Arrive Ayutthaya and visit temples
04:00 – 05:00 Lunch at a local restaurant
05:00 – 06:00 Visit Bang Pa-In
06:00 – 08:00 Transfer back to Laem Chabang Port
08:00 Arrive at Laem Chabang Port

Approximate duration: 8 hours
 
TIMING BREAKDOWN FROM KLONG TOEY PORT
00:00 – 00:20 Disembark and board on the air conditioned coach
00:20 – 01:20 Drive overand from Klong Toey Port to Ayutthaya
01:20 – 03:00 Arrive Ayutthaya and visit temples
03:00 – 04:00 Lunch at a local restaurant
04:00 – 05:00 Visit Bang Pa-In
05:00 – 06:00 Transfer back to Klong Toey Port
06:00 Arrive at Klong Toey Port

Approximate duration: 6 hours
 
OPERATIONAL NOTES

• Sightseeing by private air-conditioned vehicle and boat with local English speaking guide
• Bottled water & wet towel during sightseeing
• Lunch at a local restaurant with coffee/tea, local bottled water, soft drinks and beer

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