Take Me To… is an ongoing series of travel recommendations provided by the experts – Peace Corps Thailand volunteers who have been there! If you’ve traveled to or live somewhere interesting in Thailand, submit your recommendations to us at pctm.stickyrice@gmail.com.
Laurel Finlay, 136 YinD
This May, I was lucky enough to tag along on a family road trip to Ayutthaya! The city of Ayutthaya is the ancient capital of Thailand, located roughly an hour and a half outside of Bangkok. It’s a popular destination for those looking to escape the city and experience some of Thailand’s beautiful history. Growing up in a family with a minivan and a love for state parks, I’m no stranger to the art of a road trip. Countless hours of my childhood were spent squished in the backseat with my sister. We’d sit sandwiched between coolers and surfboards while playing I-Spy or the Alphabet Game, begging our parents to stop for ice cream along the way. When my counterpart invited me to join her and her family of four on their trip, I immediately said yes!
The drive to Ayutthaya from our small community in Rayong took around four hours and was reminiscent of road trips of my past, with a few minor differences. The first was the seating arrangement. Much to my surprise, we were able to squeeze four people into the backseat of a pickup truck; definitely not the most comfortable way to travel. Once I accepted my fate in the middle seat, I passed the time by gazing out the window, watching the landscape turn from mountains and fruit orchards to suburbia and highways. Road trips in Thailand have America beat in the snack department. Instead of a soda and a bag of chips from the gas station, we snacked on Isaan sausage and roti purchased from small stands on the side of the highway. The daughters of my counterpart slept and scrolled on TikTok as I tried to comprehend bits and pieces of the Thai conversation taking place in the front seat.
We arrived midday, and I was reminded of the sweltering heat in Central Thailand. In the East, the mountains and proximity to the ocean tend to soften the severity of the sun. The sun in Ayutthaya felt akin to sitting in a toaster oven.
The first stop on our sightseeing tour was Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon. This landmark was breathtaking, and much larger than I anticipated. There was a beautifully manicured park surrounding the temple, adorned with many statues of the Buddha. It was an amazing experience to literally walk through Thai history, and I was able to learn much more about the significance of the temple. One of the most notable features of this temple is the large pagoda, where visitors can climb the many steps to walk inside. King Naresuan the Great ordered this pagoda to be built to celebrate his victory against the Burmese army, specifically in hand-to-hand combat from the back of an elephant. For those of us who have attended the Don Chedi Festival, yes, this is the same elephant battle as the re-enactment that many of us are now familiar with.
After exploring the premises, we were all profusely sweating and ready for some relief from the heat. We spent the next few hours sitting inside a Punthai Coffee across from Wat Ratchaburana. With large windows, neon signs, and many fake plants, it felt like I was sitting in a modern art museum turned coffee shop. We spent the next few hours sipping expensive matcha lattes and watching an absolute downpour begin that, unbeknownst to us, would linger for the remainder of our weekend away.
That evening, all of us made our way to Wat Chaiwatthanaram, a beautiful temple sitting on the edge of the Chao Phraya River. This temple is a popular spot to catch the sunset, and after dark is adorned with lights that showcase the detailed ancient architecture. Unfortunately, this evening, a sunset was out of the question. The rain picked up the second we arrived at the temple, so we opted for sitting in a packed coffee shop adjacent to the temple. This trip, I feel I learned more about Thai coffee shops than Thai history. One of Thai people’s favorite pastimes is venturing to a beautifully decorated coffee shop to sip on coffee, chat with friends, and scroll for hours. I’m amazed by the interior design and effort that goes into creating the charming atmosphere of so many Thai cafes. We were never able to explore Wat Chaiwatthanaram, but I thoroughly enjoyed the hours I spent gazing at its beauty through rain-streaked windows.
On Sunday, we were heading home midday, so I seized the opportunity in the morning to jog through the beautiful parks of Ayutthaya. Running is one of my favorite hobbies, but it’s unfortunately a difficult task at my home site, due to living on a busy road with many aggressive dogs. Any time I take a trip outside of Khao Chamao, I make sure to bring my running shoes so I can explore on foot and have some dog-free exercise time. Ayutthaya’s parks are stunning, full of lotus ponds and beautiful bridges that create an incredibly large green space connecting many temples and remains of the ancient city. A tuk tuk driver called me over mid-run, and was shocked when I responded to his offer for a ride in Thai. We had a short conversation, after which I carried on about my morning, leaving me with an immense feeling of pride and satisfaction. It’s wild to remember that 5 short months ago, learning a basic introduction in Thai felt incredibly daunting, and now I can carry on full conversations with strangers!
When I returned to our hotel, I took a hot shower (a rare luxury these days) and loaded up the car, ready to embark on the journey home. During this trip, I also learned that Bangkok traffic is no joke, as we spent a few hours in near-standstill traffic jams. I arrived home exhausted and satisfied, incredibly thankful that my counterpart included me in this amazing experience! Opportunities like this create so much meaning and memory, leaving me with the great reminder to try and say yes to any new experience offered.
Sources
Vandenberg, Tricky. “History of Ayutthaya – Temples & Ruins – Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon.” Ayutthaya-History.com, 2016, ayutthaya-history.com/Temples_Ruins_YaiChaiMongkhon.html. Accessed 23 May 2025.
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