by Daryle Rico | Aug 17, 2026 | Ayutthaya, History, Temples, Thailand
One of the things I enjoy most about exploring Thailand’s ancient cities is discovering that every crumbling stone seems to have a story to tell. Few places tell those stories better than the ancient capital of Ayutthaya. Founded in 1350 by King Ramathibodi I,...
by Daryle Rico | Aug 10, 2026 | Ayutthaya, History, Thailand
There are places in Thailand where history announces itself with trumpets. Ayutthaya isn’t one of them. Here, history whispers. About fifty miles north of Bangkok lies the ancient city of Ayutthaya, once the capital of the Kingdom of Siam and one of the great...
by Daryle Rico | Apr 11, 2026 | Ayutthaya, Favorite Tours, Thai Smiles, Thailand
My afternoon tour of the ancient city of Ayutthaya had just wrapped up, and my guide and I were making our way back to Bangkok when we passed what looked like a rustic roadside corral… filled with elephants. As one does. My guide casually asked, “Have you ever fed an...
by Daryle Rico | Apr 8, 2026 | Ayutthaya, Culture, Favorite Tours, Thai Smiles, Thailand
One doesn’t usually associate a casual trip to the local market with thoughts of mortality. Maybe a tough decision over mango versus pineapple, sure—but not a moment where you quietly wonder if your life insurance policy is up to date. But this is Thailand, my...
