Chapter 2 : Return to Bangkok, Getaway to Pattaya, and Historical Immersion in Ayutthaya

First Steps in Pattaya

After my stay in Chiang Mai, I returned to Bangkok, where I took a bus to Pattaya to meet up with Édouard, a French friend I had traveled with in Australia. Since we were departing from different bus stations, it was easier to meet directly there.

Upon arriving in Pattaya, my phone was dead, preventing me from ordering a Grab scooter (the Uber of Asia). Not wanting to negotiate too much with tuk-tuk drivers, who often try to scam tourists, I eventually had no choice but to take one after a long negotiation over the price. Once settled at the hostel, Édouard joined me, and we set out to explore the city after nightfall.

Pattaya is an ultra-festive city, packed with night markets, bars, and an overwhelming presence of prostitutes approaching passersby at every corner. Massage therapists call out insistently as we walk by. The atmosphere is quite unique, very different from what I had experienced elsewhere in Thailand. It’s a highly touristic spot, filled with people looking to party.

Despite this, we enjoyed strolling through the city and ended the evening by tasting a delicious mango sticky rice, which Édouard introduced me to. But partying isn’t our goal here, we’ve come to visit a very special temple.

Visit to the Sanctuary of Truth

The next day, we visited the Sanctuary of Truth, a temple entirely carved from teak wood, renowned for its spectacular architecture and spiritual symbolism.

The Sanctuary of Truth is a massive wooden temple, built in 1981 by Thai businessman Lek Viriyaphant. This monument is not a religious temple in the traditional sense but rather a masterpiece dedicated to Asian philosophies and traditions. Its architecture blends Buddhist and Hindu influences, with intricate carvings depicting mythological and spiritual narratives. Still under construction today, this masterpiece is an ever-evolving artistic and philosophical project.

After this visit, we returned to Bangkok in the evening to spend the night before taking the train the next morning to Ayutthaya.

Discovering Ayutthaya

The train ride from Bangkok to Ayutthaya cost us only 15 baht (barely €0.45), a ridiculously low price for a city steeped in history.

Upon arrival, we were fortunate to witness a cultural festival, a sort of Thai medieval festival with a massive market stretching over several kilometers. Unlike typical tourist spots, this event was mostly attended by Thai locals, making the experience feel even more authentic.

The atmosphere was unique: locals dressed in traditional costumes, a vintage fairground that gave the impression of traveling back in time, and even a Muay Thai fight where a Canadian faced off against a Thai fighter, cheered on by an enthusiastic crowd.

Visiting the Temples of Ayutthaya

The next day, we explored the historic ruins of Ayutthaya, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Founded in 1350, Ayutthaya was the second capital of the Kingdom of Siam after Sukhothai. At its peak, the city was a thriving international trade hub, welcoming merchants from China, India, Persia, and Europe. In 1767, the Burmese army invaded and destroyed the city, reducing it to ruins. Today, its red stone temples, such as Wat Mahathat with the famous Buddha head entwined in tree roots, are among Thailand’s most impressive historical remnants.

We spent several days exploring the temples and soaking in Ayutthaya’s unique atmosphere before taking the train back to Bangkok. Édouard stayed in the city while waiting for his flight to France, while I headed to Phuket, ready for a new adventure in southern Thailand.

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