Outside of the vibrant city of Bangkok, Thailand offers hidden gems and escapes you will never forget. There are ancient temples, floating markets with fruits you have never known existed, rural villages, and night markets with food you have never thought you would eat. Thailand’s countryside is a haven, offering a tranquil retreat from the bustling city life. So, why not leave the city and hunt for hidden gems outside of Bangkok?
Uncovering Thailand’s history outside of Bangkok
Ayutthaya’s Glorious Past
Step back in time in the beautiful ancient city of Ayutthaya, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the former capital of Siam. The town was strategically located on an island surrounded by three rivers above the tidal bore of the Gulf of Siam. The location prevented the city from being attacked by hostile nations from the sea and to avoid seasonal flooding. Today’s popular activity for visitors is to take a river cruise with dinner, passing one of the temples bathed in sunset. During its prime time, between the 14th and 18th centuries, Ayutthaya was one of the prosperous and modern cosmopolitan areas.
As I wandered through the ruins of once-magnificent and vital temples, such as Wat Chaiwatthanaram and Wat Mahathat, I wondered what life here was like so many centuries ago. Places like this always make me feel humble and reflective, which is sometimes very liberating. The remains of the temples of Ayutthaya are still magnificent and essential, but now for historical reasons. No less than 30 kings ruled throughout the Ayutthaya period. One of the kings of Ayutthaya, King Prasat Thong, built this temple to honour his mother.
Across the magic Wat Chaiwatthanaram, you will find several shops where you can rent traditional Thai dresses you can wear for photo purposes on the temple grounds. I was curious and went into one. The ladies working there didn’t speak English, but they helped me choose colours, dress me, and fix my hair. For an extra price, they can do your make-up too. Traditional dress will cost you 300-400 bats and up. But the experience was worth every penny. There is no better place to feel and look like a queen than on sacred grounds for a temple built in honour of a Mother Queen.
Just a few minutes’ drive away, you will find one of Ayutthaya’s oldest temples, Wat Mahathat. When the Burmese attacked Ayutthaya and destroyed the city, they cut the heads and limbs of all the Buddha statues to desecrate the sacred place. On the ground of Wat Mahathat, you will find the iconic Buddha head in a tree. Nobody knows how and why the head ended up being wrapped by the tree roots.
Meet the monks and nuns at Wat Samphran – The Pink Dragon Temple
Coming from Europe and loving the history of Christianity, I knew little about Buddhism. Imagine my surprise when I had the chance to interact easily with a Buddhist monk.
In just a 45-minute drive from Bangkok, you can visit the Pink Dragon Temple, an active Buddhist temple, where you can meet monks and nuns. Some of them have been here for a long time, while others come to reconnect with their inner self in a few months.
Garry, the Australian monk, has been here for three months. His Thai wife sent him to the temple to work on his emotions. In addition to his feelings, Garry works on several projects in the temple. He makes YouTube videos about Buddhism to give people an insight into the religion, translates parts of the scripts, and creates meditation courses.
Buddhist temples exist only through donations. The entrance to the Pink Dragon temple is free, but if you want to reach the top by the elevator, you need some coins to donate. In monasteries, monks can produce wine, cheese, tools, or other products to earn money or exchange for different products, but not in Buddhist temples.
The giant Stupa – the start of Buddhism in Thailand?
In the same province as the Pink Dragon Temple, you will find the giant Stupa Phra Pathom Chedi. Not only is the stupa the world’s tallest, but it is also said to be where Buddhism in Thailand initially set its roots. The stupa is a monastery and holds the Lord Buddha’s relics. I didn’t go inside, but there are several places on the ground where you can pay respect and light candles.
Traditions in the “jungle” outside of Bangkok
Bangkok is full of life, energy, people, cars, smell, and noise. But if you take a ferry across the river, you will find yourself in the middle of Bangkok’s “green lungs.” Being in Thailand for the first time, I wanted to learn more about the traditions and ways of living in more rural areas. I went to the Bang Kor Bua just outside Bangkok to learn more about this community.
I believe there is more to life than we can see with our bare eyes. For example, how were magnificent temples or giant Stupa built without the technology we have today? How did Indigenous people make their medicine from herbs that had healing power? Or how do small rural communities use the food they grow as medicine? I attended a workshop in Bang Kor Bua where I made my own herbal medicine with the local plants, learned how people used to make it before, and learned how different foods can be used as natural medicine.
Herbal medicine is natural and includes plants that grow only in the community. One plant that grows only in that community could be the difference between herbal medicines in different communities.
Did you know that ginger can calm nausea and raw chile pepper helps digestion?
Note of caution: herbal medicine is not a substitute for Western medicine prescribed by a professional doctor.
I could easily spend my whole day here, renting a kayak and sliding quietly down the river arm, surrounded by birds singing and deep green. You might see a lizard, as I did. I could attend a tie-dye fabric workshop or get an herbal foot massage. All these you can do here, in the shadows and quiet of the “jungle,” just a ferry ride out of Bangkok. Oh, and don’t forget to book a local lunch.
I recommend using a guide to get the best out of your experiences outside of Bangkok. I fell in love with our guide, Amy. Contact her on Facebook or Instagram; I promise you will not regret it.
Heal your body and soul
Thailand’s reputation for holistic healing is indisputable. However, combined with research-proven Western medicine, it is one of the best places to heal your body and soul.
Just one hour outside of Bangkok, you will find two health retreats you wish you could stay at forever. RXV Wellness Village is for everyone who wants to take care of their body and soul lightly. Families, friends, and couples are all welcome. Sister-resort RAKxa integrative wellness retreat is a luxury health resort that takes your health very seriously. Your stay here will be individually adjusted with holistic and medical treatments, and when you leave here, you will feel like you were born again.
Read more about my stay at these wellness resorts outside of Bangkok to see if this is something you’d like to experience.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand sponsored my fantastic trip to Thailand, but I own all the experiences and stories.
