Wat Chaiwatthanaram, Ayutthaya

Thailand is recently hit by the worst flood in half a century, while the government estimates the total loss is now ballooned close to $4B, disruptions to the global supply chain is still underestimated according to the new sources.

One of the many badly hit province, Ayutthaya, my deep condolence to those who lost their friends and family in this devastating event, and now it has it Bankkok, the city of Angel.

It's hard to imagine this ancient site was so magnificent and beautiful just couple of months back.

Wat Chai, Ayutthaya at normal day

A quick search over the Internet and these images are very mind bothering, it's saddening.

Picture of Wat Chai, Ayutthaya - flooding taken of Internet source

One day, the beauty of the ancient city will be restored once again.

Wat Chaiwatthanaram, Ayutthaya

Ayutthaya, the ancient city of Thailand existed some 600 years ago that housed some of the oldest temples in Thailand, was truly sensational!

Wat Chai, Temple of long reign and glorious era

The central chedi at Wat Chai, Ayutthaya and the broken wall

A scaled down model of the whole picture of the ancient Wat Chai placed just before the entrance

It's always best to travel around the small town by bicycle, which I did back then.

The entry fee was around 50 Baht, Wat Chaiwatthanaram is a 400 years old Buddhist temple situated on the west bank of Chao Phraya River, outside Ayutthaya island.

It was less visited than those in the island, the quiet and peaceful temple was very photogenic, countless of headless Buddha statues lining up against the wall.

The ancient temple was constructed in 1630 by the King of Prasat Thong where it was being used by the royal family to perform religious ceremonies.

The temple's name literally means the Temple of long reign and glorious era. It was designed in Khmer style which was popular at the time.

Many intact pagodas surrounded the central chedi where one could climb from all sides, but it's restricted now to go to the top for a view of what it's like in the central chedi.

Staircase link to the top of the chedi

Ayutthaya is such an amazing ancient city, full of colours, it never lacks the element of excitement if you love cultural walkthrough this is absolutely going to be it! One of the stop you can't be missing!

It's only 4 hours away from the busy Capital of Thailand, it surely be one of my favourite touristy spot.

If anyone is going, I suggest you to stay at least two nights and spend your days roaming through the streets from temple to temples by bicycle.

At night, I usually decided to go on the street for stall food, and spent the rest of the gorgeous night at one of the chilling restaurant pubs with live singer.

12 Days Thailand Backpacking Itinerary

I had been acting on a few very taxing roles for the past months tirelessly, an employee in my agency, and taking over the role of my dad making every decision with the board in his security arm force business, a grown up kid who was seemed to be capable of making all the toughest call in the family, a runner to keep track of all my dad's personal matters, etc.

Feeling that I was running out of steam eventually I made a decision that I could really use a break during this defining moment to decide what needs to be decided, plan what needs to be planned, and do what needs to be done especially after dad had fallen sick two months ago.

I almost couldn't make this trip, after speaking to mom, I knew she wanted me to be around when she needed me most, I had to go on the trip and she understood. It's not an easy decision, trust me. It's been two months from initially in and out to hospital, dad was finally home when he was at 25% consciousness.

Now, he's at 70%, we are a bit relieved.

Synopsis of My Thailand trip

My original itinerary for Thailand was a mixed trip that include some of the most experiential cultural explorations, quiet exotic rural villages set towards the northwest border of Thailand, and vibrant busy Bangkok city schedule, and a little moment at the famous Koh Chang.

I've kept half of the original list of places to visit, and dropped some at the very last minute every time I was on the brink of leaving each town or city. Not because they weren't worth visiting, just some impromptu adjustments due to weather and other considerations like travel mates.

After spending a few days in Bangkok for shopping and clubbing, I went on west to rather quiet town Kanchanaburi, it was low season, hardly saw any travelers on the main street otherwise going to be busy town.

Vibrant and busy city traffics in Bangkok

The maddest food at Khao San road

Death railway at Kanchanaburi

Cemetery of the prisoner of war in World War  2

Ayutthaya, the ancient city of Siamese kingdom that existed between 1351 - 1767 was as amazing as told by all the sources I have heard whether from the mouth of the backpackers or the Internet.  

Ancient pagodas' remain in Ayutthaya

The amazing Wat Chai Watthanar

The amazing Wat Chai Watthanar

I was back to Bangkok for transit to Koh Samui, spent couple of night at Chaweng beach. It's the weather at the beach I worried so much it turned out to be better than expected unlike in Bangkok where it rained every day. 

Sunny day on Chaweng beach, Koh Samui

And came home on a super comfortable bus (each passenger has his/her own TV) through Hatyai, Sadao and passed the border Dan nok and Bukit Kayu Hitam back to Kuala Lumpur.

Thailand Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrival in Bangkok
Day 2 - Bangkok
Day 3 - Bangkok
Day 4 - Bangkok > Kanchanaburi
Day 5 - Kanchanaburi
Day 6 - Kanchanaburi > Ayutthaya
Day 7 - Ayutthaya > Bangkok > Koh Samui
Day 8 - Koh Samui
Day 9 - Koh Samui
Day 10 - Koh Samui > Hatyai > Dan nok
Day 11 - Dan nok
Day 12 - Dan nok > Kuala Lumpur

View [Thailand] Backpack sampler in 2011 in a larger map

Thailand: 12 Days Central Backpacking Itinerary Sampler

This is a preview of my imminent trip to Thailand. Thorough research was done as usual before any trip, I intended to post a detail list of places and things I want to do but figured that I would have changed it anytime during the trip if I don't like them.

So, keeping it simpler, this post was intended to help anyone who wants to travel to Thailand as a kick start information gathering blog, and hopefully it would help you in any way it could.
 
Introduction

The sampler is a rather robust and mixed trip that includes some of the most experiential cultural explorations, quiet exotic rural villages set towards the northwest border of Thailand, and vibrant busy Bangkok city schedule, yet not forgetting a little moment at the famous Thailand must-go beaches.

Suggest trip length

The suggested trip length for this itinerary is twelve days in exact, though anything more than that is far more comfortable. If you have lesser than ten days, you may skip one of the trip out of the city (east, west or north in its category) to make yourself more comfortably settling into your pace.

Sample plan

Day 1 - Arrival in Bangkok
Day 2 - Bangkok
Day 3 - Bangkok > Kanchanaburi (2.45 hours)
Day 4 - Kanchanaburi > Sangkhlaburi (5 hours)
Day 5 - Sangkhlaburi
Day 6 - Sangkhlaburi > Bangkok (7.45 hours)
Day 7 - Bangkok > Ayutthaya (2 hours)
Day 8 - Ayutthaya > Lopburi (1.45 hours), Lopburi > Aytthaya (1.45 hours)
Day 9 - Ayutthaya > Bangkok (1.45 hours) > Ban Phe (3 hours) > Trat (3 hours) > Koh Chang (1 hour)
Day 10 - Koh Chang (Khlong Prao)
Day 11 - Koh Chang (Khlong Prao) > Bangkok (10 hours)
Day 12 - Departure from Bangkok

Main Attractions

Bangkok for the good and bad =)

Bangkok city

Kanchanaburi for lives on the river and death railway.

Kanchaburi

Sanglhaburi for exotic rural village, trekking and elephant riding.

Sanglhaburi

Ayatthaya for the cultural structures and monuments.

Ayutthaya

Lopburi for monkey temples.

Lopburi

Koh Ching for the beaches and The Sun, and sands, and water sports. I could enjoy some Sun tanning and quiet moments.

Koh Chang