Since I am not in the north east of the country visiting Ubon Ratchathani (for reasons I explained yesterday) I felt it imperative that I not waste the day so the decision was made, by me of course, to visit Ayutthaya, since everyone under about 30 always has this ancient capital as a place that is a Must See. Even Michael Portillo fell for its charms on his recent TV series.
The 09:25 is what is classed as an 'Ordinary' train, that is the type that the locals use. At 15TB anyone can afford it. We arrived only 20 minutes late, by Thai train standards that's arriving early!
When you arrive you have to cross the river and with there being no bridges you jump on the small boat that plies its trade back and forth all day.
I wasn't tempted by the array of bikes for rent, most of them looked older than I am, so it was a going to be a walking tour.
Oh dear, I'm embarrassed to admit that the pile of old ruins left me underwhelmed, Sukhotai and Si Satchanali further north are so much more impressive. It's also weird that the ruins are virtually in the middle of the town, and normal life goes on around them. It was unbearably hot and dusty and crowded and just over 3 hours was enough for me.
Checking my watch I saw that, as it was just after 14:00 I'd missed the 'Ordinary' train at 13:11 but there was a 'Rapid' at 15:50 so it would have to be that one. I casually strolled to the station again crossing the river and was asked when I wanted to go back to Bangkok? Well now, actually. Ok train in 10 minutes. Well that was a surprise as one wasn't expected for over 2 hours. The 10 minutes stretched to 24 and eventually the 13:11 'Ordinary' train appeared, departing with hundreds of us on board, a mere 1 hour and 59 minutes late.
Why do they bother publishing timetables I ask myself?
Tomorrow I leave BKK heading for Malaysia then Singapore. Needless to say I'm doing it in one of the more complicated ways, so I wonder what misadventures I will have on the way. You won't hear from me for a couple of days as it's trains all the way and no wifi for my iPad.
Wish me luck!
The 09:25 is what is classed as an 'Ordinary' train, that is the type that the locals use. At 15TB anyone can afford it. We arrived only 20 minutes late, by Thai train standards that's arriving early!
When you arrive you have to cross the river and with there being no bridges you jump on the small boat that plies its trade back and forth all day.
I wasn't tempted by the array of bikes for rent, most of them looked older than I am, so it was a going to be a walking tour.
Oh dear, I'm embarrassed to admit that the pile of old ruins left me underwhelmed, Sukhotai and Si Satchanali further north are so much more impressive. It's also weird that the ruins are virtually in the middle of the town, and normal life goes on around them. It was unbearably hot and dusty and crowded and just over 3 hours was enough for me.
Checking my watch I saw that, as it was just after 14:00 I'd missed the 'Ordinary' train at 13:11 but there was a 'Rapid' at 15:50 so it would have to be that one. I casually strolled to the station again crossing the river and was asked when I wanted to go back to Bangkok? Well now, actually. Ok train in 10 minutes. Well that was a surprise as one wasn't expected for over 2 hours. The 10 minutes stretched to 24 and eventually the 13:11 'Ordinary' train appeared, departing with hundreds of us on board, a mere 1 hour and 59 minutes late.
Why do they bother publishing timetables I ask myself?
Tomorrow I leave BKK heading for Malaysia then Singapore. Needless to say I'm doing it in one of the more complicated ways, so I wonder what misadventures I will have on the way. You won't hear from me for a couple of days as it's trains all the way and no wifi for my iPad.
Wish me luck!
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