Wat Mahathat

                                           A Day Tour To Wat Mahathat

The Icon Of Ayutthaya

Ayutthaya  full name Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya is an ancient capital of Siam. Wat Phra Mahathat is located in front of the Ancient Grand Palace, this ancient temple was built in the reign of King Borom Rachathirat I to enshrine the holy relics of Lord Buddha, the temple was left abandoned after the collapse of Ayutthaya, 

The Landmark of Ayutthaya Town

This temple is believed to be built during the reign of King U-Thong , according to the report, a grand renovation was made during the reign of King Naresuan . The renovation included the construction of the giant Chedi Chai Mongkol to celebrate his victory over Burma The pagoda is so large it's easily seen from faraway locations

Wat Thammikarat

Wat Chaiwattanaram rests on the bank of the Chao Phraya river, to the west of the city island. The temple was ordered to built in 1630 by King Prasat Thong to honor his mother, featuring the architectural style influenced by Angkor temple in Cambodia—its unique feature is a large, central prang (Khmer-style pagoda) surrounded by smaller prangs, symbolizing Mount Sumeru, the gods' mountain according to Hindu belief. The lighting at night makes the temple even more exotic and beautiful.


Ayutthaya historical park was conferred as an Unesco World Heritage Site in 1991. This historical is so huge that you could not be able to visit all the site in one day. It is wise to choose the most popular & interesting ones to visit. I would recommend the top 5 temples ruins that are :

                     1)  Wat Mahathat
                     2)  Wat Thammikarat
                                           3)   Wat Yai Chai Mang Khon
                                           4)   Wat Phra Sri Sanphet
                                           5)   Wat Phu Khao Thong

These  places are my choice during my visit in 2014. I book a tutuk for 2 hours to the above places cost 300 Bhts for two person. I'm a backpacker type of tourist therefore I do not travel with agent or group tour. The feels as a backpacker is different from normal package tours, you have your own time, pace, freedom, no schedule and free for choice in decision making. Ayutthaya is so massive we have to decide before we visit this ancient city. Although there are recommendations, the best and popular and the unpopular ones but I would say different people has different taste and preferences.

Victory Monument 

I made this journey from Victory Monument by van cost 80bhts per person, journey takes about 11/2  hrs. At the victory BTS Sky train you just exit and follow the elevated walk way keep on you right side of the walk way until you see the roundabout circus and look down and you will noticed that there are a lot of vans in queue for passenger and ask for the Ayutthaya station. 

Victory Monument Bangkok

The Market

Tutuk Ayutthaya

Van Service

At victory monument the famous "Boat Noodles Alley" where you can taste the local famous Boat Noodles, it served with very small bowls Bht 150 per Bowls and it has different types of taste. It's an unique experience.

Tips:   When you reached Ayutthaya drop off ignore the tutuk guys, just walk down to the Market        
            and then choose a decent tutuk and bargain for your trip by hour and remember not to pay                  first.

Mae Hong Song "The City Of Three Mists"

Mae Hong Song "Land Of Three  Mists"

Mae Hong Song is sleeping town, for those who like a quite and laid back environment then this is the place for you. It takes about 7 hours by local public bus or 5 hours by mini bus. The route is a very curvy about 1800 turns. when booking it is advisable to ask for the front row seat, you get a better view and will be more comfortable. Mid way in the journey there is a stop for refreshment or foods. Pig trotter rice is tasty and reasonable priced. Mid way in the journey the bus passed through Pai town. The best time to visit Mae Hong Song is during December (winter) where you get the chance to see the Sunflowers (Doi Mae Oo Kor) at Khum Yam. Many web site say November to December where you can see the flowers but no only December where it is in full bloom. There is only one main road and most of the hotels and guesthouse  are in the same vicinity unless you want to stay in the hill side. Mae Hong Song is not very popular with the normal tourist.

The architectural of wooden house, you can still find many of these house. Renting a bike is recommendable because it allow us to explore outside of the town even to the Wat Phra That Doi Kong Mu, which is just after the main bus stop. Fish Cave & Waterfall and Khum Yam. At Khum Yam there is Mae Surin waterfall with a height of 100 meters. You have to travel there early, your journey take about 2 hrs by bike, when you rent the bike ask for rain coat, and pump a full tank before go, you can get petrol only at the sundry shop.  

 

 Wat Chong Kham is just inside of the town where you find a big pond and where most of the Guest houses are located.

This pillar is carved out of a tree log at the market entrance. At this entrance in the morning you can witness the alms giving every 6.00 am.

The Buddha you find here is of white color. I have seen many Burmese Buddha images, most of them are white color and Mae Hong Song has quite a number of these Burmese Buddha Statues and their culture and customs are also presence in Mae Hong Song.

Unfortunately I have lost many of my Mae Hong Song pictures 

Tips :    There is no night life activities but drinks, small bars and pubs are available.

Bangkok Day trip to Mueang Boran

Mueang Boran

This ancient outdoor museum house 116 miniatures of  Thai's historical famous structures. The artist builder Thai Millionaire Lek Viriyaphant with the intention of preserving all famous Thai structures for the future generations. Other sites, the Erawan Museum in Samut Prakan and the Sanctuary of Truth in Pattaya are also built by him.

       

      

                                                                          Sanphet Prasat Palace

 

 Sumeru Temple

                               
For those who want to visit this Ancient City, Travel with BTS to Baring station and then hop on to a taxi, travelling this way you will save time & expenses. When you are at the counter paying your entrance fees ask the counter for the shuttle bus schedule and where does it stop. The shuttle can take you to Erawan Museum on your way back. Just let the driver know and is free of charge. or you can stop at the petrol station and continue your journey to Bangkok by taxi. At Mueang Boran you can get a bicycle which is free otherwise you have to walk the whole day, and remember to get a map too.

Free Shuttle for Site-Seeing 

Buggy Ride With Charges

Tips:  Mueang Boran is an open museum therefore it is very hot in the afternoon be prepared                        for the sun and rain. There is stall selling drinks and light foods too. Best to visit early                          morning.

Lamphun

     Lamphum

I saw this coach during my motor trip to Lamphun. The oldest city of the North Thailand, Lamphun is a small city and one hour drive from Chiang Mai and the journey start from Tha Phae Road (the road to the railway station), after crossing the Ping River turn in the 1st road on your right then keep on the main road and it will leads you to Lamphun. The road is narrow and winding with lots of Majestic trees, you are on route 106. The scene is so lovely and give motorist comfort during the journey, the trees were straight and tall with a height of more than 40 meters, chanted and honored with yellow saffron robe. Best known in Chiang Mai Dipterocarpus Alatus (Thai called Yang Na.) planted in 1796, when King Kawila re-established Chiang Mai after the city had been deserted for decades following endemic warfare.. Before, it was truly impressive and its huge branches        supported many bees’ honeycombs. 

                              

      Suwanna Chedi 
   

 Long before Chiang Mai was founded some 700 years the Mon has built a legendary kingdom called Haripunchai as known today Lamphun. The above Mon style Suwanna Chedi was a different from most chedi in Chiang Mai. These 5 tiers chedi was surrounded by Buddha image where some of the image was damaged during earth quake.

                   
                                                            
               One of the most famous temple Wat Pharthat Hariphunchai 'Temple of the Sacred                                               Hariphunchai Relic' built in mid 15 century of Mon architure.   

 Phra Mahathat Chedi is also a Lanna style chedi was built in the 15 century, the one in Doi Suthep                          was a copy of this chedi,  was topped with a multi tiered Golden umbrella.   
  
                             

             

  

  The Ho Trai or library where ancient Buddhist scriptures are keep, an elegant teak structure with multi tier roofs with intricate carvings. This Lanna style is built on a 3 meters high stone base to protect from flooding and animals.

                                Khao Phra Sumen built in believed that this is the center of the earth. 

                                                 It was introduce by Sri Lanka Buddhism.

Phra Nang Chamthewi

Queen Chamthewi and her war elephant is very special to the people of Lumphun. She was the 1st Queen Ruler of Hariphunchai Mon Kingdom.

The Ku Chang-Ku Mah Chedi

 It is special in terms of being the grave of Queen Chamthewi’s war elephant and her son’s warhorses.

    The old Fort

                                       

 This is the road that leads you to Lamphun, you see here the gaint Holy Dipterocarpus Altus Tree, this main road is not very heavy in traffic just enjoy the scenery.

   

 Most Lamphun folks hold high esteems of Queen Chamadevi, Ku Kut & Ku Ma. Notable Wats - Wat Phra That Haripunchai, Ku Kut Pagoda or Wat Chamadevi, Ku Chang Ku Ma Stupas, Wat Mahawan


 Tips:       There is a good restaurant in front of the Kuang River near Ku chang Ku Ma Temple. In Lamphun there is not much of choice in term of food. A one day trip with motorcycle to Lamphum is a good idea, very relaxing town with little traffic.