FULL DAY: Mae Klong Railway Market + Damnoen Saduak Floating Market + Ayutthaya World Heritage Site (From Bangkok)
You will be picked up at 06:00. Travel away from Bangkok’s city centre for a visit to local markets and countryside neighbourhoods.
Visit Talad Rom Hoop or Maeklong Railway Market. Talad Rom Hoop is a unique market that is held every day literally on the rail tracks. The action at the railway market begins several minutes before the train is due to pass through the market. As soon as the whistle signals the arrival of the train, everything stops. Shoppers will jump off the tracks, and vendors will instantly pack their goods and prepare to close their tents from the train track as the train passes by. This process happens swiftly since the tent poles have wheels attached. Once the train is gone, its business as usual as if nothing happened. For the locals, they are neither excited nor bothered by this event since the market has been here long before the railroad was set up in 1905.
Visit Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. Here you will be fascinated by boats of various shapes and sizes used by local merchants to ferry their goods. Your are able to hire small boat board along the market for shopping local products. [small boat is not included]
Lunch serve at local restaurant
Visit Historic City of Ayutthaya - UNESCO World Heritage Centre
Founded c. 1350, Ayutthaya became the second Siamese capital after Sukhothai. It was destroyed by the Burmese in the 18th century. Its remains, characterized by the prang (reliquary towers) and gigantic monasteries, give an idea of its past splendour.
Visit Wat Mahathat
Transfer to visit Wat Mahathat is located in front of the Grand Palace to the east, next to Pa Than Bridge. The temple is believed to be one of Ayutthaya’s oldest temples, possibly built by King Boromaraja I (1370-88). Its central prang, of which only the base remains, once rose to a height of 165 feet. Traces of the original stucco decorations can still be seen on some of the surrounding chedis.
Visit Wat Phra Si Sanphet
Visit Wat Phra Si Sanphet. This is the most important temple within the Royal Palace compound and the original from which the Temple of the Emerald Buddha in Bangkok has been copied. Three outstanding Ceylonese style pagodas were built during the 15th century to enshrine the ashes of three Ayutthayan kings.
Visit Wat Lokayasutharam (Reclining Buddha)
Visit Wat Lokayasutharam, an abandoned temple and there is no absolute evidence that tells us which reign it was built in. None of the historical records or any chronicles have mentioned the period of construction. It is assumed that this temple was built in the Ayutthaya period. Perhaps it was abandoned after the fall of Ayutthaya to the invading Burmese in 2310 B.E. This temple houses a large Reclining Buddha Image 37 metres in length, built of bricks and plaster. Nearby there are some ruined posts of the Wihara. At the back, the ruins of Wihara, Ubosot and Prang still remain.
Leave from Ayutthaya pass green paddy fields, villages, and temples then return to Bangkok.