Ayuttha presents a glimpse into the glory of ancient Thailand , where visitors can wander the haunting but romantic ruins of the former capital. After the Sukhothai period , the city was the most important in Thailand , and the old palaces and temple stand as a testament to this. There are also several foreign settlement , where you can gain a greater understanding of the influence other countries had in Thailand at the time. Ayutthaya is located only a short bus trip or train ride from Bangkok, making it convenient for a day trip if you’re pressed for time. If you’re on a more leisurely schedule, plan on spending a few day in the anceint capital and rent a push-bike to tour both the old city and the new .