Travel Plan 3 - Thailand Historical Tour

Itinery
1. Bangkok --> Ayutthaya
2. Ayutthaya --> Chiang Mai
3. Chiang Mai --> Sukhothai
3. Sukhothai --> Bangkok


Duration
8 to 9 days?

Preferred Seasons
Winter (Nov, Dec, Jan) Just avoid the hot / rainy seasons.
19 Nov 2010 - Loy Krathrong 水燈節
From Jan to Mar: Bhuphing Palace will be closed when it will become King's Residence.

Attractions
Ayutthaya 大城
(UNESCO, Siam capital from 1350 to 1767)
Wat Phra Sri Sanphet 帕司山碧佛寺
Wat Pha Mahathat 帕玛哈泰寺 - 榕樹包佛頭

Bang-pa In - 天明殿：水上皇亭：
8:30 am to 3:30pm Admission 50 Baht Thai/ European mix
(1 hr travel from Ayutthaya)

Chiang Mai
1. Doi Sutrep - Wat Phra That Doi Suthep Opening 06.00 - 19.00 hours
2. City Center Wats: Wat Chedi Luang (契迪龙寺); Wat Phra Singh (帕辛寺)
3. Night Bazaar
4. Bhuphing Palace
5. Doi Intanon National Park
6. Hill Tribe Visits, Hmong / Lisu
7. Trekking.
8. Bo Sang Village - Umbrella Crafts

I might consider going to Chiang Mai more than once...

Sukhothai - Dawn of Happiness!!
(UNESCO, Siam capital from 1292 - 1438)
Sukhothai Historical Park Admission 150 Baht (6 a.m. to 6 p.m.) to all


How to Travel

1. Bangkok --> Ayutthaya
Train

2. Ayutthaya --> Chiang Mai
Train overnight! (11 hrs, 2nd class sleeper with a/c 791 Baht)

3. Chiang Mai --> Sukhothai
Bus 5 hours (2nd class air-con: 153 Baht to 171 Baht)

4. Sukhothai --> Bangkok (Morchit Bus Terminal)
Bus 6 to 7 hours (2nd class air-con: 199 baht)


Note: I have to admit the bus travel to Sukhothai is quite long from either Bangkok or Chiangmai...I might consider skipping Sukhothai for this reason...

References

Thai Railway Timetable
http://www.railway.co.th/English/Time_PDF.asp

Thai Railway Fare
http://www.railway.co.th/English/FareRate.asp

Thai Railway online booking
http://www.thairailwayticket.com/Default.aspx?language=1

Airport Express Rail to open 5 December 2009!!
http://www.bangkokairportonline.com/node/141

Bus: Bangkok to Sukhothai
http://www.thailand.com/travel/getthere/getthere_sukhothai_frombkk_bus.htm

Bus: Sukhothai to Chiangmai
http://www.tourismthailand.org/destination-guide/sukhothai-64-5284-1.html
http://www.itisnet.com/english/asia/Thai/sukkhothai/e-t-suk.htm
http://www.chiangmai-thai.com/bus_schedule.htm

Government Bus Company: Baw Kaw Saw
no link....just www.transport.co.th