Thailand forum

Kanchanaburi and Ayutthaya

mhlow

longtail driver
Posts: 8

I need ur help again guys. My family and i have decided to go to kanchanaburi and ayutthaya in thailand and we were wondering what there is to do there? Are the elephant rides and bamboo rafting there worth a go?

#1 Posted: 2/9/2009 - 16:06
BruceMoon

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Posts: 1941
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mhlow

For me, Kanchanaburi has a nearby waterfall that is scenically enjoyable. But, the most obvious attraction is that Kanchanaburi was a prisoner of war centre during WW2. As such, there is much history to view. Bridge over the River Kwai, Hellfire Pass (a must see), and the various museums and war graves in the city centre.

Perhaps you might look at what Travelfish says about the two places:

Kanchanaburi, look at this...

http://www.travelfish.org/location/thailand/central_thailand/kanchanaburi/kanchanaburi

Ayutthaya, look at this...

http://www.travelfish.org/location/thailand/bangkok_and_surrounds/ayutthaya/ayutthaya

Cheers

#2 Posted: 2/9/2009 - 17:24

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An Australian Veteran globetrotting...
exacto

mahout
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Hi mhlow,

Kanchanaburi is a great place in Thailand for outdoor activities, but I agree with Bruce that the real magic of the place is the history dating from WWII and the building of the Death Railway. I imagine it is particularly important for ANZAC's, but the bridge, cemeteries, and museums have always meant something extra special to me too.

Our last trip to Ayutthaya was three years ago now, but we particularly enjoyed taking the afternoon boat trip around the island and eating at any of the restaurants that line the river. Fun stuff. You can read our aging trip report about the place at:

http://www.travelfish.org/board/post/tripreports/695_ayutthaya---july--06-trip-report

Have fun.

#3 Posted: 2/9/2009 - 23:16
mhlow

longtail driver
Posts: 8

Thanks BruceMoon and exacto.

exacto, I read ur article and i'm thinking of doing something along the lines you what you did. How did you get to Ayutthaya? My family and i are going to be staying somewhere in Bangkok so would it be recommended that we go on a tour to get there?

#4 Posted: 3/9/2009 - 11:12
swag

adventurer
Posts: 313
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Mhlow, no need to get a tour from Bangkok. You can either catch a train or as we did catch a mini van to Ayutthya. Catch the BTS Skytrain to Victory monument. Minivans leave regularly from there.About 2 hrs travel time once the van is full.
regards

#5 Posted: 3/9/2009 - 11:27
mhlow

longtail driver
Posts: 8

How about getting around Ayutthya?? What modes of transport are available to get from Wat to Wat?

#6 Posted: 7/9/2009 - 19:40
BruceMoon

mahout
Posts: 1941
Located in:

mhlow

Either rent a treadly or shanks pony.

Cheers

#7 Posted: 7/9/2009 - 20:07

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An Australian Veteran globetrotting...
exacto

mahout
Posts: 1797
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mhlow,

like swag says, it isn't necesaary to go with a tour to Ayutthaya , but it is certainly an option. if i were going to do a tour, i'd try to do one that goes by boat from Bangkok at least one leg of the trip. that's a pretty amazing ride up the river from BKK to Ayutthaya.

otherwise, like swag says, the minivans from Victory Monument or nearly any train heading north from Bangkok will stop off in Ayutthaya, as do lots of buses from the Mo Chit Northern bus station.

these transports drop you off in modern Ayutthaya town, which is a fair distance from the ancient ruins and the UNESCO area. but walking or hiring a bicycle as Bruce suggests will certainly work. if you are comfortable driving one, motor scooter rental is also an option. just be careful to wear your day pack on your back rather than place it in the basket on a push bike or motor bike, as the hoodlum's back pack snatch & grab was perfected in Ayutthaya years ago.

it should also be possible to rent a tuk tuk-style motor taxi to tour the ruins. it's a bit pricy but lots of fun. it used to be 200 baht per vehicle per hour flat rate hire, but i don't know what the price is now. have fun.

#8 Posted: 7/9/2009 - 23:08
AlyssaAnne

backpacker
Posts: 20

Is a trip to Kanchanburi or Ayutthaya a good idea if one only had four days in/around Bangkok before moving on to Laos and Vietnam? Just wondering if I'd be pushing it and if I'd get a fill of a slower pace later in the trip, but both areas sound very tempting.

A

#9 Posted: 8/9/2009 - 17:15
BruceMoon

mahout
Posts: 1941
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A

When planning a journey, everything is tempting. With just 4 days in/around Bangkok, I'd suggest you not entertain K (ie stay put in BKK).

Cheers

#10 Posted: 8/9/2009 - 17:57

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An Australian Veteran globetrotting...
somtam2000

admin
mahout
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AlyssaAnne
Well Bkk has enough to keep you busy for a few weeks, so on one hand you could certainly fill four days there. However if you were looking at doing one of the two placs you mention on a daytrip, I'd suggest Ayutthaya over Kanchanaburi . You can go one way by boat, which will also include a visit to Bang Pa-in and then spend the afternoon at the ruins, with a late afternoon bus or train back to Bangkok. Kanchanaburi is (imo) too far for a day trip to really be worthwhile.

#11 Posted: 8/9/2009 - 18:11

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AlyssaAnne

backpacker
Posts: 20

Hi Bruce,

Thanks again. I had a feeling I might have been pushing things. Will just put it all on my list of To Do Another Time and hope there will be another time. :)

Ta,
Alyssa.

#12 Posted: 8/9/2009 - 18:13
AlyssaAnne

backpacker
Posts: 20

Great. Will definitely look into Ayutthaya.

Ta,
Alyssa.

#13 Posted: 8/9/2009 - 18:17