March 26th's Steam Train: Why are Thais flocking to the old capital of Siam??

This is part 2 of the description for the March 26 Steam Train trip to Ayutthaya - - - -

The steam train trip to Ayutthaya (with optional tour there) will leave Bangkok promptly at 8:10 AM (be at the Bangkok Railway Station by 7:30 AM so you don't miss the train) on Tuesday, 26th March 2019.

The train will arrive at Ayutthaya at 10:15 AM. For the return trip, the steam train leaves Ayutthaya at 4:40 PM and arrives back at the Bangkok Railway Station, Hua Lamphong, at 6:45 PM.

Historical information about Ayutthaya follows and (because of space limitations) ALL OTHER TRIP DETAILS ARE HERE:

https://www.meetup.com/Bangkok-Travel-Meetup/events/258890397/

BACKGROUND ABOUT AYUTTHAYA

In 2018 a breakout Thai Channel 3 TV show "Buppaesannivas" ("Love Destiny") portrayed a present-day archeologist who wakes up in Ayutthaya in the mid-1600s after a car crash. As a result of the great popularity of the TV show, groups of young Thais were flocking to Ayutthaya in Thai traditional dress to recreate shots from the TV series. Seeing locals in period-specific garb was great fun, and heightened the lost-in-time feeling of the temples.

Ayutthaya, 76km (47 miles) North of Bangkok, is a highlight of any trip to Thailand. Many travelers take a day tour from Bangkok.

From its establishment in 1350 by King U Thong (Ramathibodi I) until its fall to the Burmese in 1767, Ayutthaya was the capital of Siam, home to 33 kings and numerous dynasties. At its zenith and until the mid-18th century, Ayutthaya was a majestic city with three palaces and 400 temples on an island threaded by canals. The former capital rivaled European cities in splendor and was a source of marvel to foreigners.

Then, in 1767, after a 15-month siege, the town was destroyed by the Burmese. The temple compounds are still awe-inspiring even in disrepair, and a visit to Ayutthaya is memorable and a good starting point for those drawn to the history.

The architecture of Ayutthaya is a fascinating mix of styles. Tall, corncob-shaped spires, called prangs, point to ancient Khmer (Cambodian) influence (best seen in Bangkok at Wat Arun). These bear a resemblance to the architecture of Angkor Wat, in Cambodia. The pointed stupas are ascribed to the Sukhothai style.

In line with the best historical TV dramas, “BuppeSanNivas” ("Love Destiny") is playing a vital role in bringing alive the nation’s history for people living in the present time. The soap opera’s backdrop is the Ayutthaya period during the reign of King Narai the Great, who ruled the kingdom over 300 years ago.

The series has brought to life the brilliant diplomatic moves of King Narai. “I’m not surprised why King Narai was bestowed with the title ‘the Great’,” said Adisak Panupong, former Thai ambassador to several countries. “He was faced with internal and external battles. But with his wise vision, he succeeded in balancing the power between his noblemen and outsiders,” Adisak told a recent seminar.

Adisak noted that the series focuses on an era when the Ayutthaya attracted the attention of numerous foreign countries, including Holland, France, Persia and China, who were eyeing to occupy the kingdom. King Narai ruled from 1656 to 1688 and was arguably the most famous Ayutthaya king.

GETTING TO THE TICKET SELLERS (Advance Purchase required) AND THE TRAIN

Take the MRT subway (it opens at 6:00 AM) to the last station, Hua Lamphong MRT Station. Use Exit 2 to enter an underground passageway that connects to the Hua Lamphong Railway Station. Check in with Organizer, Art, on Steam Train #901 to Ayutthaya. He will be Car 5, Seat 64. Train leaves at 8:10 AM.

More trip details are at:

https://www.meetup.com/Bangkok-Travel-Meetup/events/258890397/

Art, Organizer
Bangkok Travel Meetup Group