Street Bicycles

Ayutthaya: Siamese Capital and Thai Treasure

Ayutthaya, Thailand is a spectacular site of historical importance and an exciting excursion from Bangkok. It is a pleasant escape from the overwhelming hustle and bustle of Thailand's capital city, but offers plenty of cultural antiquities to see amidst its lush, green parks and wide open spaces. It is accessible by bus or train from Bangkok, taking about 90 minutes.

Ayutthaya was the capital of Siam for about 400 years starting from the year 1350. It was a wealthy merchant city with traders from all over the Far East and even Europe living here. But in 1767 the Burmese invaded and for the most part levelled the city. The new capital was established in nearby Bangkok, where it remains today. Today Ayutthaya is a small city, puntuated by temple ruins. The ancient ruins are a UNESCO World Heritage site.

One of the most enjoyable options for navigating Ayuttaya is to rent a bicycle and ride between the various antiquities, which dot the city and have some distance between them. The distances are not too far, maybe a 5 or 10 minute ride between each, making for a pleasant ride through the park. Some of the main roads can be a little busy, but there are always alternative routes. Be careful of vicious dogs. I was chased by a pair of dogs who kept chasing me until I hit one in the face with a can of Coke as I peddled furiously.

One of the most spectacular of the ruins is the Wat Ratchaburana, which is likely the one that you see in photographs of Ayutthaya. Its situated in beautifully lush green surroundings, and its spectacular stupas are an incredible site up close. It is fun to climb the steps up to the ramparts of this complex, and to enter inside some of its structures. It is a real Indiana Jones experience.

About the Author

Get a political map of Southeast Asia at Free Printable Maps.

Laos Bicycle Tour Video

Lady on Bicycle with Shopping, Hanoi, Vietnam, Indochina, Southeast Asia, Asia $24.99 Purcell-Holmes Lady on Bicycle with Shopping, Hanoi, Vietnam, Indochina, Southeast Asia, Asia - Photographic Print

Woman on a Bicycle Rides Past the Anousavari Monument in Vientiane, Laos, Southeast Asia $24.99 Mcleod Rob Woman on a Bicycle Rides Past the Anousavari Monument in Vientiane, Laos, Southeast Asia - Photographic Print

Woman on Bicycle in Front of Thien Mu Pagoda, Hue, Vietnam, Indochina, Southeast Asia, Asia $24.99 Woman on Bicycle in Front of Thien Mu Pagoda, Hue, Vietnam, Indochina, Southeast Asia, Asia - Photographic Print

Southeast Asia's Best Recipes: $16.46 Southeast Asia's Best Recipes

Cuisine Of Southeast Asia $11.96 Cuisine Of Southeast Asia

Savoring Southeast Asia $14.98 Savoring Southeast Asia

Southeast Asia 1570 $49.99 Southeast Asia 1570 - Giclee Print

Southeast Asia 1944 $124.99 Southeast Asia 1944 - Wall Mural

Bangkok, Thailand, Southeast Asia, Asia $24.99 Nico Tondini Bangkok, Thailand, Southeast Asia, Asia - Photographic Print

Southeast Asia Map 1961 $19.99 Southeast Asia Map 1961 - Premium Poster

Southeast Asia Map 1968 $19.99 Southeast Asia Map 1968 - Premium Poster

Southeast Asia Map 1955 $19.99 Southeast Asia Map 1955 - Premium Poster

Manila, Philippines, Southeast Asia $29.99 Angelo Cavalli Manila, Philippines, Southeast Asia - Photographic Print

Bangkok, Thailand, Southeast Asia $29.99 Angelo Cavalli Bangkok, Thailand, Southeast Asia - Photographic Print

Phuket, Thailand, Southeast Asia $19.99 Angelo Cavalli Phuket, Thailand, Southeast Asia - Photographic Print

Chinatown, Singapore, Southeast Asia $19.99 Amanda Hall Chinatown, Singapore, Southeast Asia - Photographic Print

Hoi An, Vietnam, Southeast Asia $19.99 Christian Kober Hoi An, Vietnam, Southeast Asia - Photographic Print