Ayutthaya by River Sun Cruise - A review

Sunday 25 January 2015 - Ayutthaya by River Sun Cruise

I decided to join a full day tour to Ayutthaya with River Sun Cruise company. They currently have a 1553 baht deal which include admission fees, English speaking guide, insurance, pick up and drop off hotel transfer, coach to the attractions, buffet lunch and a boat cruise back to Bangkok. I will tell you my verdict at the end

Breakfast isn't included so have a big one as lunch won't be served until at least 1 PM. Pick up starts as early as 6.30 AM.
The mini van dropped us off at River City shopping mall to join a big bus coach. 

The coach

It took 1 hour to arrive at first destination, Bang Pa In palace. On the site, there are still guards with weapons.

On the way from Bangkok to Bang Pa In

 

Entry for foreigner is 100 baht. The place is rather odd to me because it has mixed style of architecture, Thai, Chinese and Western. Since it also has temple, the strict temple clothing applies. You can rent a sarong and scarf for a refundable deposit.

Just be aware, that as in most large attraction in Bangkok, when you are making your way to the palace, a man with photographer will take your photo without your consent. Later, after you finish the tour and returning to the bus, you will find a small table set up at the coach's door with all photos that are taken on each person, framed with the attractions images. You are not obliged to purchase it, I didn't ask about the cost, but I guess it would be on the 200 something baht mark.

golf cart for hire, excluded

the entrance

a small temple near the entrance

Inside the small temple

a park inside the palace

one of the bridges

The larger temple where you need to take the shoes off

a pagoda near the larger temple, you can go up, barefoot

Then after a 1 1/2 hours guided tour, they took us to Ayutthaya, the main attraction of the day. It took us another 40 minutes to the first site of Ayutthaya, which is the Wat Maha That, the home of the famous buddha's head in a tree.

On the way to Ayutthaya

Ayutthaya

home of the buddha's head in a tree

Wat Maha That charges about 50 baht.The site itself isn't too big in my opinion.
Here, we are given a free time about 1/2 hour.

It is much smaller than expected, and it's near the entrance, won't miss it

 

The second site, Wat Naphrameru-Rajikaram, only took about less than 5 min from Wat Maha That. It was constructed in 1499 AD, by the tenth king of Ayutthaya, and the site of the peace issue discussion between Thailand and Burma after Thailand was defeated in 1569 AD. It is still used as a place of worship by the locals.
We were given 20 minutes here, no entrance fee.

Donation from the public who worship there

The third site, Wat Na Phramain, only a few minutes short drive from second site. There isn't much to see here, other than a big reclining buddha statue, which the locals also prayed too. No entrance fee.
We took only 5 minutes here, just for a photo

Under tour guide's advice, some tourist took the reclining position on this spot for a photo

45 minutes drive later, we were dropped at a pier to board the 2 storey cruise. Buffet lunch was served and we cruised slowly back to Rive Sun City mall where our mini van was waiting to the hotel. I think the cruise took about 2 hours or so, I can't remember but it was slow.

For the buffet, there are arund 6 types of Thai menu style including tom yum soup, a selection of fruits, about 6 Thai sweets and some chocolates cakes, a salad bar, selection of mini sushi, and 3 western style food, hot tea and coffee. Other drinks are additional.

Inside the cruise

The main course corner

appetizer

Dessert corner

mango and sticky rice with coconut sauce - not the best one I've had

The drinks are not included - 80 Baht for a coconut, which is about double the street price

I will posted the photos of the chao phraya river where the cruise sails in another blog.
So my verdict of the tour is, I will give it 4 out of 10.


The good stuff: The overall tour didn't feel rushed, the middle aged tour guide was pleasant and chatty, sharing Ayutthaya history and Thai current affairs. They do stick to the program as stated on the website: http://www.bangkok.com/river-cruise-tours/riversun.htm

The bad stuff: Too much unnecessary stops, for me Ayutthaya is the only one you would want to go (but even so, I was quite disappointed, if it isn't a UNESCO heritage site, I wouldn't go there). So my recommendation is, skip the tour, better yet, forget Ayutthaya and go to Sukothai instead, but only if you have like 2-3 days as Sukothai is quite far from Bangkok and cannot be a day trip. 

If you really want to go to Ayutthaya, I suggest a half day tour or rent a van with a driver just to go there. The buffet was so so. The tour company didn't even provide a complimentary drink