Ayutthaya to Sukothai by train

[BV70]

I'm accompanying my elderly parents to northern Thailand next month and I'm looking to break the train journey up into manageable sections.

I had thought initially of going from BKK to Ayutthaya and then onto Sukothai but I'm concerned that the long journey between Ayutthaya and Sukothai will be too much for them. Is there anything worth seeing and stopping off for en route? I've looked at places such as Nakon Sawan but, from what I've read, there really doesn't appear to be much there to keep them interested. I'm wondering if anyone here had any advice or ideas of things to see and do on the way to Sukothai, baring in mind I'm travelling with a couple in their mid-70s who I would imagine will already be struggling with the heat.

Thanks in advance...

[asanee]

1.your prime Qs are answered in guidebooks.

2.there are No trains nor station at Sukh-(see1), so its bus anyway for last part from Phitsanuloke, or hirecar

3.even trains-but not all, have AC, extra fee payable, to get them out of heat

4.to circumvent all that and to give service to the many who also do not [1], there are tourist minivans (maybe only in hi season) between the 2-they will offer (bar a hirecar) the fastest connection, followed by the proud of Thailands roads: the VIP class 1 intercity coach

5.no, there is nothing really of interest for normal tourists on the rail between the 2, maybe except Lopburi, which is famous for rambling monkeys and thus not very visitor friendly Lopb other sites are quite far out of town and seasonal-the lake and the sunflower fields

6.alternative for those who value assumed noproblems more as money, is to fly on BKKair-but alas for this, they still use BKK=Swampy and not easier DMK. But hey-think roundabout-do it reverse then and get off at Ayut.

7.double think again: why go to see 2 towns which fame consist only of old but renovated= make look like new ruins?

[AyG]

Rather than go by train + bus + songthaew, why not fly from Suvarnabhumi to Sukhothai? Only 1500 Baht with Bangkok Airways.

I can't help but think that seeing two pretty similar ruined cities is a bit of overkill. Of the two, Sukhothai is by far the more attractive, so I'd suggest skipping Ayutthaya. And if you really want to see two ruined cities, visit Sri Satchanalai, which is quite close to Sukhothai, but rather different in atmosphere.

There are also buses which start in Bangkok, pick people up in Ayutthaya and go direct to Sukhothai.

[my friend I]

Next month will not be too hot.

Lopburi is only an hour north and there are lots of trains. There are some ruins opposite the train station with nice grass areas. About 2 blocks further west is a worthwhile ruin area. These ruins are monkey free. There is no climbing needed. There is a poor selection of hotels in this part of town. Better hotels in the east, new part of town.

The train goes thru some interesting scenery but not worth stopping.

There is a comfortable train from Ayudaya at noon to P'lok [Phitsanulok ] that arrives about 4pm. There is an ok hotel 2 blocks west of P'lok train station. Not much of interest in P'lok but short bus or taxi trip from there to Sukothai. Ok market just south of train station.

That same train goes to Sawankalok near Sukothai. Train number 3.This is the only train. It does not return to Bangkok from there. You would have to go to P'lok to get a train south.

Edited December 24, 2014 by my friend I

[canarysun]

Dear Viewer - Take a look at my posts under my " Traveling by Train " section here on Thai Visa! I have done this train journey and its fab!

[1FinickyOne]

My parents came here at 84 w/many physical problems… we hired a van - and they didn't seem to compalin any more than on a usual day… Are your parents particulalry infirm. I have had visitors in their mid 70s and they have no problems w/anything at all… if they are reasonably fit, a bus trip from Bkk to Sukhothai will not be a problem… there are some ruins in Kamphaeng Phet if they are history buffs…

[my friend I]

On the sprinter train there are 2 toilets. One is squatter style. The one opposite is western style for those with bad knees.

[AyG]

Incidentally, you're right about there being nothing in Nakhon Sawan.

A few years ago, based upon the description of the place on the TAT website, I went there for the weekend. TAT made it sound great. Let's just say that the ancient ruins, which TAT likened to Phanom Rung, were difficult to find, and in fact were just a few stones in a paddy field. As for TAT's fabulous botanical garden, nobody at the hotel had ever heard of it and I couldn't find it on any map. So, in short, best given a miss.

[maximillian]

I have taken my mom and my eldest sister around Thailand. Both of them were physically fit.

Wouldn't do it again. The heat, the food, the toilets, the traffic... Too much of a challenge for the elderly who prefer NOT to leave their comfort zone.

Give them a stay at a nice comfy resort instead of travelling to ruins.

[BV70]

Sorry for not responding sooner but I trust you've all had a relaxing Xmas break. Thanks for your answers guys, all are useful and I'll try and respond to those that ask specific questions...

1.your prime Qs are answered in guidebooks.

2.there are No trains nor station at Sukh-(see1), so its bus anyway for last part from Phitsanuloke, or hirecar

3.even trains-but not all, have AC, extra fee payable, to get them out of heat

4.to circumvent all that and to give service to the many who also do not [1], there are tourist minivans (maybe only in hi season) between the 2-they will offer (bar a hirecar) the fastest connection, followed by the proud of Thailands roads: the VIP class 1 intercity coach

5.no, there is nothing really of interest for normal tourists on the rail between the 2, maybe except Lopburi, which is famous for rambling monkeys and thus not very visitor friendly Lopb other sites are quite far out of town and seasonal-the lake and the sunflower fields

6.alternative for those who value assumed noproblems more as money, is to fly on BKKair-but alas for this, they still use BKK=Swampy and not easier DMK. But hey-think roundabout-do it reverse then and get off at Ayut.

7.double think again: why go to see 2 towns which fame consist only of old but renovated= make look like new ruins?

Thanks for this. I'm aware that guidebooks offer solutions but a quick glance at, say, Lonely Planet, shows there's no information for this area. Similarly a google search returns very little as you suggest in point 5 of your reply, so I thought this would be a good fall back option with real people responding in real time, so to speak... As regards the purpose of visiting two similar towns, it's a case of breaking a train journey up and the idea is to head east from Ayutthaya to Khao Yai NP for a few nights, before returning by train to take to head north. But, as you say, if there's nothing interesting to see or do along that line then Ayutthaya and Sukothai appear to offer the best options before continuing up to Chiang Mai. I think my Mum would freak out at the sight of so many monkeys in Lopburi that the plan is to give that place a wide berth. They don't want to fly and have read a lot about the train journeys in Thailand and are pretty set on this mode of transport.

[BV70]

Dear Viewer - Take a look at my posts under my " Traveling by Train " section here on Thai Visa! I have done this train journey and its fab!

Brilliant. Thanks. Will do!

[BV70]

My parents came here at 84 w/many physical problems… we hired a van - and they didn't seem to compalin any more than on a usual day… Are your parents particulalry infirm. I have had visitors in their mid 70s and they have no problems w/anything at all… if they are reasonably fit, a bus trip from Bkk to Sukhothai will not be a problem… there are some ruins in Kamphaeng Phet if they are history buffs…

Thanks. No, they are both fit and healthy and quite young for their age, although time is catching up with them (as it is with us all!!). Their only problem with be boredom on a journey over 4 hours - and stiff backs.

[BV70]

I have taken my mom and my eldest sister around Thailand. Both of them were physically fit.

Wouldn't do it again. The heat, the food, the toilets, the traffic... Too much of a challenge for the elderly who prefer NOT to leave their comfort zone.

Give them a stay at a nice comfy resort instead of travelling to ruins.

Thanks but no. They would hate a resort holiday. They usually take walking or driving holidays in the US and Europe and like to be active, this will be their first visit to Asia though. They're not into beaches and dig culture, nature and good food and are pretty sold on a trek north having researched their options, which will hopefully be cooler, have less traffic and decent food. Toilets are likely to pose problems but they've spent a lot of time in France, which also have squat bogs, and the bum gun is just a rudimentary bidet to most.