We are a group of four adults and two children - eight and nine years old - planning a day trip from Bangkok to Ayutthaya.

I know it's easy to find an organised tour for a day but the prices are a bit steep for us. What are the options for us do the trip on our own for a reasonable price? Andy Ayutthaya is great for a day trip due to its proximity to Bangkok, and most visitors who go there either take a package tour or have a private transport. Some are independent travellers who travel by train or boat from Bangkok. The train is great if you are budget-conscious, and don't mind a slow journey or the lack of frequency of trains. 
Going by boat is a lot more expensive as most of the good ones are river cruises. The boat trip is also time-consuming, but you will be rewarded with the scenic river view along the Chao Phraya from Bangkok to Ayutthaya.



minivan from Victory Monument

Another option is to take a minivan from Victory Monument. You'll travel with local people and the fare is cheap. But once you get to Ayutthaya, you will have to rent further transport to take you around the historical monuments, which would be a hassle, especially with two kids. If you decide to use public transport, I would recommend staying overnight in Ayutthaya to be able to appreciate this impressive city, former capital of the kingdom and also a Unesco World Heritage Site.
You should be able to find an organised tour at a reasonable price, which will provide you lunch and sightseeing. You can also rent a car with driver from Bangkok. There are a number of car rental companies offering a chauffeur service in a car or minivan. The rate should be less than Bt3,000 per day for a minivan, including the driver but excluding gasoline. This option gives you the freedom to choose the time you leave your hotel in Bangkok and be flexible about your sightseeing in Ayutthaya. Hope this is helpful!



Is it possible to get a decent Thai massage that isn't painful? I guess the pain has a therapeutic effect but it's sometimes hard to bear. I enjoy the soft parts of the massage but don't find the pain attractive at all. How should a good Thai massage be? What is your suggestion? Thanks, B Tadet

Thai massage at Ayuthaya

Many Thai massage therapists believe in the adage "no pain no gain" and would advise you to have a massage on a regular basis to bring relief to the tight spots. Most Thai people prefer a strong massage even if it's painful though some prefer a non-painful approach. Some therapists use their elbows, knees and feet to be able to work deeper on pressure points. I think you would agree that some are good pains while others are not. If you find it hard to bear, react by saying "jeb mak mak" which means it’s very painful, or "bao bao", to tell them to press more gently.

It’s not easy to find a good therapist at a street-side massage place in these days. To have a massage with no pain, you need to find either a very talented therapist with the skills to use deep pressure techniques without hurting or an inexperienced one who just presses your body lightly without giving you any real benefit.

When you go to a massage place, ask for a good and experienced therapist. Tell them what you want so the person at the reception will know you are serious about it. Also it’s better to tell the therapist in advance the way you like to have massage. A good massage should make you feel relaxed and refreshed and leave your body more flexible.

If you don’t like even a little pain during the massage, I would recommend you to go for an oil massage instead. Many people prefer Thai massage with oil, as its smoothness helps relieve the pain a great deal.

Have a relaxing one!