A day trip to Ayutthaya

Q: I plan to visit Ayutthaya on a day trip during my stay in Bangkok. Is it possible to do this day trip with a river cruise? Janine

A: Yes, it's possible. Ayutthaya is just 76 kilometres from Bangkok and easily accessible by highway. This old capital of the country has many spectacular ruins and temples to visit. You may find one day is not enough though and decide to stay longer.

Several boat operators offer day trips, among them River Sun Cruise (www.thairivercruise.com), Mit Chao Praya (www.mitchaopraya.com), Pearl of Siam (02) 266 9125) and Horizon Cruise (02) 236 9952). Their programmes are quite similar, with a morning departure from Bangkok by car, sightseeing in the old city and the Bang Pa-in Palace and return by boat along the Chao Phraya River. The boat usually takes about 3.5 hours from Ayutthaya to Bangkok.

The prices and stops vary a little: Mit Chao Praya operates a day trip every Sunday leaving from Tha Chang pier at 8am, takes visitors to Bang Sai Royal Arts and Craft Centre and Bang Pa-in Palace plus Wat Niwes Thammaprawat. It does not include visits to temples in the historical park of Ayutthaya, which is a Unesco World Heritage site.

Other major boat operators like River Sun Cruise, Pearl of Siam and River King Cruise usually arrange a departure by car at 8am and return to the River City pier at around 4.30pm. Horizon Cruise leaves from the Shangri-la Bangkok, next to the Saphan Thaksin BTS Station.

If you wish to spend more time on the river travelling to Ayutthaya, two major luxury cruises are on offer. One is Manohra II, which has a three day, two night tour to Ayutthaya (call (02) 476 0021-2); the other one Mekhala, which has a two day, one night tour. Call (02) 655 6245-6. Enjoy Ayutthaya!

Q: I have five days in Bangkok to enjoy shopping, eating Thai food and having massages. I'm planning to stay in the old Bangkok for the first three days and then move to the city centre. I think I will focus on dining and some sightseeing in the first three days and end with hopping in the city centre. Could you please help me with my itinerary as well as recommend a few places to eat at reasonable prices? Thank you, Susie

A: Five days is plenty of time to enjoy all of your favourite activities, especially dining on Thai food!!

For sightseeing, I'd recommend taking a boat trip along the Chao Phraya River to visit the canals in Bangkok Noi, visiting the Grand Palace, Wat Phra Kaew, Wat Pho and Wat Arun, going to the Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall for the Arts for the Kingdom V exhibition, or the Nitas Rattakosin exhibition on Rajdamnoen Road, visiting the teak Vimanmek Palace and strolling round China Town.

For dining, there are a lot of places to go. During the first half of your trip, check out Phad Thai Thipsamai on Mahachai Road, which has been around for decades and is still very popular. Nearby, you'll find small restaurants selling fried noodle, yentafour, duck soup and guay jub (rolled noodle with pork). You can also try Dinsor road, which has a great variety of eateries including Methawalkai SonDaeng and Krua Apsorn. If you like to eat by the river, check out Kinlom Chom Saphan on Samsen Road and the Wat Rakhang area on the Thonburi side.

When you move into town, you'll find great eateries on Langsuan Road, Silom Road, Sukhumvit Road, Rangnam Road or Soi Aree. For upscale options, there are many that serve innovative Thai food including the molecular style at Sra Bua restaurant at Siam Kempinski Bangkok.

Thai massage can be done during your visit to Wat Pho, but you'll find small parlours in all parts of Bangkok too. Have a great time!