Ayuthaya

This small city about 90 kilometers north of Bangkok was the site of the Siamese royal capital from 1350 to 1767. The city had a population of a million in the 18th century; it is named for the home of Rama in the epic poem Ramayana. Ayuthaya is located at the place where three rivers come together; a canal that links them means that the city is completely surrounded by water. The city's historic sites are scattered throughout the city, though many are within walking distance of one another. The largest temple in Ayuthaya is the Wat Phra Si Sanphet, built in the 14th century, which served as the royal temple and palace for several kings. The site is famous for its three large stupas, monuments to Buddha. When the Burmese sacked the city in 1767, many of the buildings were damaged or destroyed. One temple that escaped destruction was the Wat No Phra Meru, built in 1546. The temple has an intricately-carved wooden ceiling, and a green stone Buddha said to be more than a thousand years old. There are two national museums is Ayuthaya; the Chantharakasen National Museum, housed in a 17th-century building, has an extensive collection of gold artifacts.

Lopburi

This town about 150 kilometers north of Bangkok has been inhabited since at least the 6th century, and its old buildings are interspersed with the new. A large population of monkeys inhabits the town. While they can make something of a nuisance of themselves, tourists are attracted to them, and there is a feast for the monkeys to thank them for all they have done each November. Many of the monkeys live at the Kala Shrine, San Phra Kan, near the railroad tracks. Lopburi became important in the 1600s when a Dutch naval blockade threatened Ayuthaya, and King Narai made the city a second capital. King Narai's palace, built with the help of French architects from 1665 and 1677, is open for visitors. Its grounds serve as a town park. Also on the palace grounds is the Lopburi National Museum, with an impressive collection of sculptures and historic art.

Kanchanaburi

This town 130 kilometers west of Bangkok is the site of the Saphan Mae Nam Khwae, the Death Railway Bridge, made famous as the "Bridge on the River Kwai." It is said the 16,000 prisoners of war died building the railway that would link Thailand to Myanmar during World War II. Many thousands more citizens of Thailand, Myanmar, Malaysia, and Indonesia died working on the project as well. The bridge was used for only a year and a half before being bombed by the Allies in 1945. There are a number of old locomotives on display near the bridge. In December, the bombing is commemorated by an impressive sound-and-light show.