A Bangkok-area day without the Bangkok traffic
Ancient City is in Samut Prakan, on the south-eastern edge of greater Bangkok — which, coming from Pattaya, puts it on your side of the capital. You never have to push through the centre of the city, so the drive is noticeably shorter than a trip to Sukhumvit or the old town. Plan on about one and a half to two hours, and let traffic decide the rest. That means a proper morning in the park without anyone needing a dawn alarm.
On a van Pattaya to Ancient City trip you simply tell the driver if someone needs a coffee or a toilet break; there are fuel stations with cafés along the main road. Children can nap, adults can plan the route around the park, and nobody has to read a map.
Thailand in one park, best seen on wheels
The park is also known by its Thai name, Muang Boran, and it is a huge open-air site laid out roughly in the shape of the country. Scattered across it are full-size and scaled-down replicas of famous temples, palaces, pavilions and old wooden houses from every region, including reconstructions of buildings that no longer stand. Lakes, bridges and gardens fill the space in between, and it is easy to spend most of a day there.
It is far too large to walk comfortably in the heat. Most visitors get around by bicycle or golf cart, stopping wherever a roof line or a courtyard catches their eye. Older children usually love the bikes; grandparents tend to prefer a cart with some shade.
- Hats, sun cream and plenty of water: almost all of the park is outdoors
- Wear shoes you can cycle in, and clothes suitable for temple buildings
- Morning visits are cooler, and the light on the gilded roofs is softer
- Agree a pickup time with your driver, or ask for a waiting price, before you go in
Planning the drive and the pickup
Ancient City is not on our standard rate table, so send us your Pattaya pickup address, the number of people and roughly how long you want inside, and we confirm one fixed price for the whole vehicle in chat before the trip. Tolls and fuel are included, there is no deposit, and you pay the driver in cash afterwards. If you want the same van to wait and bring you back, or to add the Erawan Museum, which is also in Samut Prakan, that is priced in chat before you go as well.
Couples and small families fit well in a sedan or SUV. For five or more, or anyone bringing a cool box and a stroller, the Toyota Commuter van has nine seats and room for eight bags. Either way, booking a Van Pattaya to Ancient City ride means no searching for a taxi at the gate when everyone is tired and sun-baked at the end of the afternoon.