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Klong Toey Port

Klong Toey Port is where the smaller cruise ships dock when they visit Bangkok. The port is 26 kilometers up the Chao Phraya River and is right in the heart of Bangkok city.

It's commonly known as Bangkok Port and was Thailand's only major port for sea transportation of cargo from 1938 until 1991.

The construction of Klong Toey Port began in 1938 and finished after the end of World War II.

The port is located on the Chao Phraya River not far from Gulf of Thailand. Due to its limited capacity and traffic problems caused by semi-trailer trucks, much of the shipping operation has been moved to the new container terminal at Laem Chabang in Chon Buri Province.

In the past Klong Toey was the major night entertainment area for the whole city of Bangkok. It had its heyday in the 1960's and 1970's dying out almost completely in the 1980's when the Bangkok Port Authority claimed the land that was home to the majority of the night entertainment venues.

The whole area is a bit tatty and grubby, like any port, but the positive side for the cruise ships docking here is that they are right in the centre of Bangkok and are not subjected to the two-hour drive from Laem Chabang.

Cruise ships using Klong Toey Port during the 2009-2010 season include Azamara Quest, Seabourn Odyssey, Seabourn Pride & Oceania Nautica.

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Bang Pa In Palace

A summer palace designed for Thai monarchs during the 17th century, Bang Pa-In Palace has a charming collection of houses and pavilions.

There are a variety of Thai, Chinese, Italian & Victorian architectural styles surrounded by beautiful gardens as well as a lake with a magnificent sala in it.

Originally built by King Prasat Thong in 1632, Bang Pa-In Palace was abandoned after the sacking of Ayutthaya in 1767. The palace was partially restored by King Mongkut (Rama IV) in the 1850s and the restoration was completed by King Chulalongkorn (Rama V).

The gardens are wonderful and it's worth the stroll just to enjoy the scenery and the scents. There are plenty of trees which provide welcome relief from the heat of the morning sun & a brightly-painted lookout tower for those who are fit.

The beautiful pavilion of Phra Thinang Aisawan Thippa-At sitting in the middle of a lake has been designated as the archetype of the Thai pavilion or Sala Thai, a national symbol of Thailand. Built in the year 1876 it is the only Thai-style building in the palace.

Many consider this to be one of the finest buildings to be found anywhere in the Kingdom. The bronze statue standing in the middle represents King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) in the uniform of a Field Marshal and was erected by his son King Vajiravudh (Rama VI).

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Wat Niwet Thammaprawat Gothic Temple

Wat Niwet Thammaprawat is most intriguing because it's the only Neo-Gothic monastery in Thailand and is located on an island in the Chao Phraya River opposite the Bang Pa In Palace near Ayutthaya.

Access is gained through a cable car strung across the river and manned by the monks from the temple.

In 1878, King Rama V ordered the construction of Wat Niwet Thammaprawat in the same architectural style of a Western cathedral. The building and its decorations are of Neo-Gothic style with beautified stained glass windows.

The base, where the principal image of Buddha and his followers are placed, was designed to resemble the one for the cross in a Christian church and not a traditional Chukkachi base. The Buddha image is called Phra Buddha Naruemol Thammophas and is covered with gold.

On the Ubosot wall in front of the principal Buddha image, there is an image of King Rama V created in the stained glass. The window frames were especially made for curved windows.

Situated to the right of the Ubosot is Ho Phra Khanthararat, a shrine where Phra Khanthararat is in the posture of requesting rain.

Outside the front entrance there is an unusual sundial which has the gnomon at a very acute angle from the horizontal because Ayutthaya is only fourteen degrees North of the Equator.

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Ayutthaya Sacred City

Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya "The Sacred City of Ayutthaya" was founded in 1351 and reached its apex in the 16th century. It is an island embraced by three rivers, the Chao Phraya, Lopburi and Pa Sak.

In the Golden Age which lasted 417 years, Ayutthaya was the historic capital of Thailand.
The territory of the Kingdom of Ayutthaya extended far beyond present-day Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar. During the 17th century, foreign visitors, traders and diplomats alike, claimed Ayutthaya to be the most illustrious and glittering city that they had ever visited. That ended forever in 1767 when it was conquered by the Burmese and completely destroyed.

Nowadays, visitors to Ayutthaya, which is only 86 kilometers north of Bangkok, can marvel at its grandeur reflected through numerous magnificent structures and ruins concentrated in and around the city island. The temple compounds are still awe-inspiring even in disrepair and a visit here is memorable and a good beginning for those drawn to the relics of history.

The architecture of Ayutthaya is a fascinating mix of Khmer, or ancient Cambodian style, and early Sukhothai style.

Most importantly, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Historical Park, an extensive historical site in the heart of Ayutthaya city, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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Wat Mahathat Ayutthaya

Wat Mahathat was built in the early days of Ayutthaya in the late 14th century by King Borommaracha I.

The story goes that the king had a revelation, and relics of the Buddha then suddenly appeared. The temple was built to house the relics.

Wat Mahathat Ayutthaya was built in the early period in 1374. The main stupa is Pang shape made of laterite but in the later periods was resored with brick.

The construction of Wat Mahathat was begun during the reign of King Borommarachathirat I in 1374 A.D. but was completed during the reign of King Ramesuan (1388-1395 A.D.) When King Songtham (1610-1628 A.D.) was in power the main prang (Khmerstyle tower) collapsed. The restoration work on the prang was probably completed in the reign of King Prasatthong (1630-1655 A.D.) During the restoration the height of the prang was considerably increased.

Wat Mahathat was restored once again during the reign of King Borommakot (1732-1758 A.D.) when four porticos of the main prang were added. In 1767 A.D. when Ayutthaya was sacked the wat was burnt and has since then been in ruins.

It is most famous for the Buddha head trapped in the Bodhi Tree.

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Ayutthaya Long-tail Boat

Ayutthaya is an island encircled by a confluence of three rivers, the Chao Phraya, Lopburi and Pa Sak and it makes sense to take a local long-tail boat so you can get a different perspective of the city.

Many of the most interesting temples are only accessible from the river so you'll enjoy this.

The Chao Phraya, Lopburi and Pa Sak rivers are teeming with aquatic life and as you cruise you are likely to see a variety of snakes, monitor lizards and plenty of fish in the river. Surprisingly, you'll also see lots of children swimming and mothers doing their laundry on the steps of their houses.

A 17th century Dutch merchant described Ayutthaya as 'a city standing on a small island of the Chao Phraya River. Within the city walls, there are long, straight and wide roads. Canals have been dug from the river into the city, facilitating transportation.

Apart from the main thoroughfares, there are also a multitude of small canals, lanes and walkways. During the high water season, it is possible to paddle boats everywhere, even up to the house steps. Ayutthaya is a riverside city which has been carefully planned. It is truely a beautiful city'.