On our second day in Bangkok, we went to Ayutthaya. It is the former capital of Thailand, just like Xian of China, Kyoto of Japan and Cebu of the Philippines. It is 1.5-2 hours drive from Bangkok. Quite near eh?? 🙂
Honestly, I’m a history buff however, my history “buffness If there’s such a word” is only limited to palaces, emperors, empresses, kings and queens, prince and princess. period. no more than that. I’m interested with anything to do with royalties, palaces and their grand way of life— As a matter of fact, I wished to be a princess! haha! My Addiction regarding royalties pushed me to go to this place to explore (and imagine) the life of being a Thai Royalty during the past ages.
Well, to tell you, Thailand has still their King and Queens, so, it became the first country that I visited having a royal family. And to tell you the truth, I was quite envious! ha!
The only thing akin to China’s Forbidden City in Ayutthaya (what I mean here is a complex in which everything is still intact; not yet in ruins) is the Bang Pa In Summer Palace. Just like the Summer Palace in Beijing, it is used as a vacation place for Thai Royal Families about 400 years ago…
“It is a palace complex formerly used by the Thai kings as a summer dwelling. King Prasat Thong originally constructed the complex in 1632, and though it lay empty and overgrown throughout the late 18th and early 19th century, King Mongkut began to restore the site. Most of the present buildings were constructed between 1872 and 1889 by King Chulalongkorn” — according to our tour guide
What I liked here is the moat with a pagoda and a bridge, and also there are carps or mudfish (I’m not sure what kind of fish is in that water) You can feed them by buying a piece of bread.
Here you’ll find buildings with different styles and concepts. In Bang Pa In Palace they incorporate European, Chinese and even Khmer in their architecture. This made me think that Thai royalties are quite open to get styles and influence from other countries. However, aside from the buildings, beautiful and well-kept gardens awaits you in Bang Pa In Palace:
TIPS:
1. Wear comfortable clothing. Wear sleeved and below the knees clothing. Leggings are not allowed or else you’ll dress like my sister-in-law in the pictures above. A polo and a skirt will be rented to you or else you can’t enter the palace.
2. Bring water, since there are few vendors in the area.
