Bang Pa-In Palace

The original itinerary was Bangkok→Ayutthaya→Bang Pa-In→Bangkok, so from BTS Ratchadamri, we took the train to the next station, BTS Sala Daeng, got off and went down to MRT Si Lom station, then took the train to MRT Hua Lamphong. The BTS ride was THB15/pax while the MRT one was THB18/pax. Living in Japan for quite some time now, my wife and I wanted to experience the train system in Bangkok and compare it with that in Japan. So for any place in our itinerary that could be reached by train, we opted to take it. From various fora that I read, taking the provincial trains is also a good way to get immersed to the locals' way of life, and so we took the train from Hua Lamphong to Ayutthaya, the entire ride for just THB20/pax.

Trains at Hua Lamphong station

We arrived at Hua Lamphong at around 8:15AM, just enough time to buy our tickets and get to the 8:20AM train. For some reasons, our train was delayed, and it left the station at around 8:45AM. There were many tourists that took the same train, but we got our seats together with an old, Thai lady. Although she couldn't talk to us, she was very friendly, asking us through gestures if the weather was hot or if it's OK if the window was open, or if it was OK for her to close it a bit.

Once we arrived at Ayutthaya around 10:10AM, I realized that it will be difficult for us to go back to Bangkok via Bang Pa-In Palace, so we asked the tuktuk drivers to include Bang Pa-In in case we'll get their service for a tour around Ayutthaya. They immediately agreed for THB300/hour for the entire "tour", so we rode one of the tuktuks back to the direction of Bang Pa-In Palace, which is between Bangkok and Ayutthaya.

Our tuktuk service around Ayutthaya and Bang Pa-In

Overtaking another tuktuk on our way to Bang Pa-In

The trip to Bang Pa-In from Ayutthaya took about 20 minutes. The admission fee was THB100/pax, and we rented a golf cart to move around the complex. The golf cart rental was THB400 for the first hour, and additional THB100 for each succeeding hour. They required a driver's license, but I think any driver's license will do since I just gave them my Philippine driver's license. It must also be noted that Bang Pa-In Palace implements a strict dress code because it is a royal residence. My wife was wearing an above-the-knee skirt, but she brought tights and was allowed to get in after wearing that. For those who aren't prepared, I think they offer rentals of wraparound skirts, good enough to get someone inside the palace grounds.

Our rented golf cart inside the palace grounds

We roamed around the palace grounds for exactly 1 hour, no extra charge on the golf cart and just enough time to go back to Ayutthaya for a 3-hour tour there. Our tuktuk driver just waited for us outside the main gate, so we met him and took us to the temples of Ayutthaya.