The sights and sounds of Bangkok grab the senses and inspire the imagination. From bustling markets to state-of-the-art shopping malls to glimmering temples and neon-lit nightlife zones there’s something for everyone. The city has grown from a small village to a world-renowned mega-city in a little under two hundred and fifty years and has been twice named the most visited city in the world.
Some visitors might find the traffic and the large population of the city overwhelming, especially during the hottest months of the year when traveling by foot can be exhausting and somewhat confusing. So rather than hide away in your Bangkok accommodation 5 star consider taking a day trip away from the city for a few hours and explore the nearby attractions. Here’s a look at some of the worthwhile day trips away from the city once you have exhausted the number of unusual attractions in the city.
Ayutthaya
The ancient capital of Siam is about an hour’s drive from the capital. Formed in 1350 and lasting until 1767 this ancient city was said to once have been the most prosperous in the world. Evidence of the former 400 temples and palaces are still visible and accessible. The Khmer-style temples adorned with Buddha heads and figures of former prominent figures similar in style to Cambodia’s Angkor Wat.
Kanchanaburi – Death Railway
For the dark tourists among us, a visit to the railway bridge built by Allied prisoners of war during World War Two is a definite item for the travel itinerary. Featured in the novel and the film The Bridge Over the River Kwai starring Alec Guinness, this town is worth a visit not only for its dark history but also for the breathtaking scenery as you travel away from the city and towards the Burmese border. Admire the beautiful buildings along Heritage Walking Street, and if you’re staying overnight, much of the accommodation takes the form of floating boathouses on the river.
Ko Sichang
Around an hour’s drive, and a forty-minute ferry ride from Bangkok, this small Island was a previous holiday home for three of Thailand’s former monarchs and used to be a major port for many freight-carrying boats and vessels arriving into the kingdom. The jumping-off point. Attractions include the Phra Chudhadhuj Palace Museum, just to the south of the pie, and the Atsadang Nimit Temple sitting atop a nearby hill and looking down out to the island market, the harbour, and the sea. The beach here is a natural cove with pale sands and clear water and stretches out quite far at a shallow depth making it perfect for families with young children. Another added bonus is that no cars are permitted on the island – transportation consists of tuk-tuks or motorbikes. Few tourists know of this hidden gem so the island population is sustained by fishing and local commerce and the population is around seven hundred making this an ideal getaway from the hustle and bustle of Bangkok.
