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Just one to two hours north of Bangkok lie two towns with completely different personalities. Ayutthaya, a UNESCO World Heritage Site filled with ancient ruins, and Lopburi, a town once overrun by thousands of monkeys. Combining both into a one or two day trip reveals a side of Thailand that most tourists never see.
Getting There from Bangkok
To Ayutthaya (about 80km north of Bangkok)
The train from Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal takes about one to one and a half hours. Sitting back and watching the countryside roll by makes for a pleasant journey. Mini buses (rot tu) from the Northern Bus Terminal take about one and a half to two hours and run frequently.
Tickets no longer require lining up at the station window. You can book online via smartphone or computer. The 12GO app handles trains, buses, boats and more in one place, supports multiple languages including Japanese and English, and is easy to use though a service fee applies. The app also covers Bangkok to Pattaya bus tickets, though checking the bus company’s own website directly sometimes offers a better price.
To Lopburi (about 150km north of Bangkok)
By train from Bangkok, the journey takes about two and a half to three hours. From Ayutthaya, it’s just one to one and a half hours further north. Combining Ayutthaya and Lopburi into a single overnight trip is highly recommended.
Getting Around the Ruins
Ayutthaya’s ruins are spread across a wide area. Renting a bicycle or motorbike gives you the most freedom to explore at your own pace and stop wherever you like. Chartering a tuk-tuk for a few hours is another popular option.
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Must-See Ruins in Ayutthaya
Wat Phra Mahathat Famous for the Buddha head enveloped by the roots of a bodhi tree. When photographing it, keep your head lower than the Buddha head out of respect.
Wat Phra Si Sanphet The most important temple within the old royal palace grounds. Three magnificent Sri Lankan-style chedis stand in a row, housing the ashes of former kings.
Wat Chaiwatthanaram A stunning Khmer-style temple on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River. At sunset the ruins reflected in the river create one of Thailand’s most romantic scenes.
The People I Met in Ayutthaya
At one of the main ruins I got talking with a Thai man selling hammocks. Before I knew it we were sharing a meal with his family right there on the temple grounds, and he ended up driving me back to my guesthouse. Moments like that are what travel is really about.
The funniest part came when I tried to help him sell hammocks to Japanese tourists. Every time a Japanese visitor walked by I called out to them — and every single one looked at me with suspicion. Apparently a Japanese person selling hammocks in a Thai ruin is more suspicious than an actual Thai vendor.
Important Note for Visitors
Temple ruins require clothing that covers shoulders and knees. Thailand is extremely hot and you’ll be walking outdoors for extended periods, so sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses and plenty of water are essential.
Lopburi: Once the Planet of the Apes (Past Tense)
About one hour north of Ayutthaya, Lopburi was once a town where thousands of monkeys roamed freely through the streets. Hotel windows came fitted with metal grilles to stop them getting in — though the monkeys still made it up to the rooftops. The ruins in the town center served as their sleeping ground. Baby monkeys would climb all over visitors without any hesitation. Unlike monkeys I had encountered in Japan or India, these ones were genuinely friendly. As an animal lover I absolutely loved it.
However, the situation has changed dramatically as of 2025.
Due to serious property damage and attacks on people, Thai authorities carried out a major operation between 2024 and 2025 to capture, sterilize and relocate the monkeys. As a result, the monkey population in the town center has decreased by over 95 percent. It is now much safer, but the wild Planet of the Apes atmosphere is largely gone. Some monkeys can still be seen around the ruins.
Lopburi Nights with the Locals
One evening I sat down at a street food stall and ended up befriending a woman selling ice cream at the next stall. She worked at a clothing shop during the day and soon had me on the back of her motorbike for an impromptu town tour. She even treated me to KFC.
With far fewer tourists than Ayutthaya, there’s no hard selling here. People are genuinely kind and curious. That kind of unplanned human connection is what stays with you long after the trip ends.
Suggested Itinerary
Day 1
└ Bangkok → Ayutthaya (train, about 1-1.5hrs)
└ Explore ruins by bicycle or motorbike
└ Stay overnight in Ayutthaya
Day 2
└ Ayutthaya → Lopburi (train, about 1hr)
└ Explore ruins and monkey spots
└ Street food dinner with locals
└ Return to BangkokWho This Trip Is For
- Travelers who want to see Thailand beyond Bangkok and Pattaya
- History and ruin enthusiasts
- Animal lovers
- Those who enjoy connecting with local people
- Anyone who finds heavily touristy areas exhausting
Final Thoughts
Ayutthaya offers the grandeur of a lost kingdom. Lopburi offers something harder to define — a town where history, wildlife and everyday life collide in the most unexpected ways. Both are within easy reach of Bangkok. If you have seen the tourist highlights, this is where Thailand starts to get really interesting.
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