Thread by @RichardBarrow

Good morning from the Chao Phraya River. Today I’m on a boat trip from Bangkok to Ayutthaya which will take about 3 hours. The boat has air-con downstairs but I’m on the upper deck as there are better views.

This is a live THREAD of this #BKKdaytrip.

[2] This is the new parliament building on the banks of the Chao Phraya River. #Thailand

[3] This is the old city hall in Nonthaburi. Regular boat services from Bangkok only go as far as here, though you can rent a boat to take you to Koh Kret. Today I’m on a special boat trip that will go all the way to Ayutthaya. #Thailand

[4] This straight stretch of the Chao Phraya River in Nonthaburi used to be a landing strip for seaplanes during the first half of the 20th Century. There’s still a road here called Sanambin Nam Road. #Thailand

[5] This leaning Chedi is the symbol of Koh Kret. A shortcut canal was dug here in 1722 in order to make the route to Ayutthaya, the capital of Thailand at that time, much faster. This caused Koh Kret to become an island. #Thailand

[6] The first stop of our boat trip was at Wat Bot in Sam Khok District of Pathum Thani. The temple was built by the Mons during the Ayutthaya era. The highlight is the 37 meter Seated Buddha image and the 28 meter statue of Somdet Phutthachan.

📍MAP: goo.gl/maps/erMKyYWT9…

[7] Brunch today was Tom Yum noodles with a hard boiled egg. 50 Baht. #ThaiFood #Thailand

[8] Our 2nd stop on the boat trip was at Wat Niwet Thammaprawat in Ayutthaya. This is one of my favorite temples as it’s very unique. At first glance it looks like a Christian church. It has a spire and stained glass windows. But pride of place inside is a Buddha image. #Thailand

[9] As Wat Niwet Thammaprawat is on an island on the Chao Phraya River, the only way to reach the temple is by cable car. This is operated by monks. Both the cable car and temple are free but donations are appreciated.

📍MAP: goo.gl/maps/Xy9zX75BD… #Thailand #BKKdaytrip

[10] We have now left the boat and are in a coach. Our lunchtime stop is at Kong Khong Market in Bang Pa-in District of Ayutthaya. It’s actually quite a good market for both food and products.

📍MAP: goo.gl/maps/aTSzw5Ch9… #Thailand

[11] Lots of food choices at Kong Khong Market. I went for Guay Jub in the end. I will definitely come back to try some more dishes here. #ThaiFood #Thailand

[12] Our second stop on the coach was Wat Phanan Choeng Worawihan in Ayutthaya. It was founded shortly before the establishment of Ayutthaya as the capital. Its main building enshrines a huge, seated Buddha image, that is 17 meters tall.

📍MAP: goo.gl/maps/u9GraHTm4… #Thailand

[13] Next up was a tour of Ayutthaya Historical Park which turned out to be a tour by coach. We didn’t actually get out to visit any of the places. For me it wasn’t a big deal as I’ve been here many times and recently too. But others may have been disappointed. #Thailand

[14] The final stop before heading home was Central Ayutthaya which was a bit of a commercial stop. But they did give us 300 Baht worth of vouchers for the food court. I bought a bowl of Khao Soi and some food souvenirs to take home.

[15] That is a wrap on my boat trip to Ayutthaya and back by coach. I hope you enjoyed my photos. The cost was 999 Baht which included drinks and snacks. This is not a regular trip as it only goes a few times a year. I will let you know as soon as they announce the next trip.