Attractions information

Laem Chabang Port

Laem Chabang is Thailand's largest port & is the main container port for Bangkok. It is located two hours to the southeast of Bangkok & about 30 minutes from the resort city of Pattaya.

The larger cruise ships have to dock here because of the shallowness of the Chao Phraya river's Klong Toey Port.
Laem Chabang Port undertook a major program to encourage development outside Bangkok and take advantage of the proximity to the Gulf of Thailand.

Construction began in 1988 and the Laem Chabang container port was completed in 1991.

It's now ranked in the top 20 of the busiest ports in the world. Much of the international shipping reaching Thailand goes through Laem Chabang. The port operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

As a port town, the economy is based on shipping services, as well as retail and tourism. The town is being marketed as an alternative to seedy Pattaya. Sukhumvit Road goes through the town.

Cruise ships using Laem Chabang Port during the 2009-2010 season include Costa Classica, Cunard's Queen Mary 2 & Queen Victoria, HAL's Amsterdam & Volendam, P&O's Arcadia, Diamond Princess, Ocean Princess & Sun Princess, Regent Seven Seas Mariner, Navigator & Voyager, Royal Caribbean's Legend of the Seas, Silver Sea's Shadow & Whisper and Voyages of Discovery.

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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.

Attractions information

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'.