Thailand Ancient Ruins Photography | Sukhothai & Ayutthaya Temples
Sukhothai vs Ayutthaya: Which Should You Visit?
Sukhothai
- quieter
- more peaceful
- better cycling
- more open landscapes
- better for sunrise photography
Ayutthaya
- easier from Bangkok
- better for short trips
- famous Buddha/tree image
Have you ever stood on the surface of Venus and wondered what it would feel like to slowly melt?
The Wicked Witch of the East certainly didn’t enjoy the experience, and trust me, neither will you.
Welcome to Thailand.
One of the first things you learn when traveling throughout Asia is that the middle of the day is not always the time to be outside. From roughly 10 AM to 3 PM, many locals slow down, businesses take breaks, and smart travelers retreat to the beautiful hotel they carefully researched and booked.
Why?
Because it is hot.
Not “a little uncomfortable” hot.
I’m talking about the kind of heat where you start questioning whether you are a traveler or a casserole being slowly prepared in the sun.
And honestly?
Photographers should avoid those hours anyway.
At the time, I was a professional photographer shooting slides. Those images sat in my archives for years until I returned to watercolor painting. Today, many of those same photographs have become the inspiration for my Thailand watercolor paintings.
The harsh midday light is usually terrible for photography, creating strong shadows and washed-out colors. The best light happens early in the morning and late in the afternoon—exactly when the temperatures are more comfortable and the atmosphere is more dramatic.
That makes Thailand one of my favorite destinations for photography.
Thailand: A Photographer’s Dream
Thailand has almost everything a travel photographer could want:
- peaceful tropical landscapes
- ornate Buddhist temples and wats
- colorful markets
- saffron-robed monks walking through ancient streets
- vibrant cities filled with energy
- dramatic historic ruins
But what really captured my attention were the ancient archaeological sites scattered throughout the country.
While Cambodia’s Angkor Wat remains the ultimate destination for Khmer architecture lovers, Thailand’s historic parks at Sukhothai and Ayutthaya offer something equally special: incredible ruins with fewer crowds and more opportunities to experience the atmosphere of the location.
Especially at sunrise and sunset.
Because let’s be honest—almost every ancient ruin looks better when you aren’t surrounded by 5,000 people taking selfies.
Photographing Sukhothai Historical Park
Sukhothai Historical Park is one of Thailand’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites and was one of my favorite stops.
During my visit, my ex-wife and I rented bicycles and spent the day exploring the ruins.
I don’t remember every detail of the bike ride.
I do, however, remember one very important detail:
The bicycle seat.
Let’s just say it was not designed by someone who understood human anatomy.
The discomfort eventually faded, but the memories of Sukhothai remained.
The park itself is beautiful, with ancient Buddha images, crumbling temple structures, peaceful ponds, and massive trees framing the ruins. Unlike some archaeological sites where you are constantly surrounded by crowds, Sukhothai allows you to slow down and actually experience the landscape.
At the time, I was still working as a professional photographer and shooting slides—yes, actual film slides.
Those photographs sat in my archives for years.
Eventually, decades later, they became inspiration for watercolor paintings.
That is one of the unexpected rewards of travel photography: an image you create today may become the foundation for a completely different creative project years later.
Exploring Ayutthaya’s Ancient Ruins
The second major archaeological destination I visited was Ayutthaya Historical Park, located only about an hour by train from Bangkok.
Bangkok is an incredible city, but it can also be overwhelming.
The traffic is legendary.
The crowds are constant.
The energy never seems to stop.
Ayutthaya feels like a complete change of pace.
After the intensity of Bangkok, arriving in Ayutthaya feels like taking a deep breath.
The ancient capital of Siam is filled with temples, Buddha statues, brick ruins, and historic structures scattered throughout the city. The ruins look completely different depending on the time of day, which makes it an excellent destination for photographers.
Morning light creates soft, peaceful scenes.
Late afternoon brings warm colors and long shadows.
Sunset transforms the old temples into dramatic silhouettes.
This is why I always encourage photographers to spend more than just a few hours at important locations. The best photograph is often not the famous viewpoint everyone visits—it is the moment when the light, weather, and atmosphere finally come together.
From Travel Photography to Watercolor Paintings
When I originally photographed Thailand, I was focused on creating strong travel images.
Years later, after returning to watercolor painting, I began looking through those photographs differently.
They were no longer just memories.
They became reference material.
The ruins of Sukhothai and Ayutthaya inspired many of my watercolor paintings because they contain everything I love about ancient places: history, texture, atmosphere, and the contrast between human creations and the passage of time.
A photograph captures what was there.
A painting allows me to reinterpret it.
I can change the colors, simplify the architecture, exaggerate the atmosphere, or create the mood I remember rather than simply reproducing what my camera recorded.
That is the connection between my past as a professional photographer and my current work as a watercolor artist.
The photograph documents the journey.
The painting preserves the feeling.
Learn more about my Watercolor Batik Technique here
Visiting Thailand’s Ancient Ruins
If you are interested in history, photography, or simply experiencing some of Asia’s most fascinating places, I highly recommend exploring Sukhothai and Ayutthaya.
Take your time.
Arrive early.
Stay late.
Avoid the midday heat whenever possible.
Your camera—and your melted casserole self—will thank you.
Thailand’s ancient ruins are not just places to visit.
They are places to experience.
And if you are lucky, they may inspire something creative long after you return home.
See more examples of mouth-atomized (impressionistic) watercolors HERE
Planning a Trip to Thailand
If exploring ruins in Thailand is on your bucket list there are tons of airline and travel options available:
Flights to Thailand
Getting Around (Transportation)
You can rent a car in Thailand (be prepared for some outrageous driving experiences!), rent a taxi, tuk-tuk, or motorcycle:
Where to Stay
Centara Ayuttaya- is a modern hotel with a rooftop pool, restaurants, and comfortable rooms less than 15 minutes from Ayutthaya’s UNESCO-listed historic sites. It’s a convenient base for exploring the ancient temples and ruins while enjoying contemporary amenities.
Sala Ayutthaya– is a stylish riverside boutique hotel with views across the water toward historic Wat Phutthaisawan. Its temple-view rooms, rooftop lounge, pool, and riverside restaurant make it an especially atmospheric choice for an Ayutthaya ruins trip.
Tharaburi Resort Sukothai– peaceful hotel near Sukhothai Historical Park with tropical gardens, an outdoor pool, and free bicycles for exploring the surrounding area. It’s a convenient choice for travelers who want to stay close to Sukhothai’s ancient temples and ruins.
Sriwilai Sukothai– peaceful heritage-style resort just 1.8 km from Sukhothai Historical Park, surrounded by rice fields and Thai-inspired architecture. With a large pool and complimentary bicycles, it’s an excellent base for exploring Sukhothai’s ancient temples and ruins.
Sukothai, Ayutthaya, and Thailand Travel Guides
I still buy at least one physical travel guide before most international trips. Phones die, internet connections disappear, and apparently I’m old-fashioned enough to appreciate having something made out of paper in my backpack.
I frequently use Lonely Planet guides for trip planning, and there are also a few guides dedicated to the history of Sukothai/Ayutthaya
Thailand Travel Guide– I almost always travel with a physical guidebook in my bag, and Lonely Planet Thailand is a useful resource for planning everything from Bangkok and Chiang Mai to Ayutthaya, Sukhothai, beaches, temples, and less-visited destinations throughout Thailand.
Sukothai Travel Guides:
Sukothai Travel Guide 2025-2026– Planning a visit to Sukhothai? Sukhothai Travel Guide 2025/2026 covers the ancient ruins, local culture, food, hidden treasures, and practical tips for exploring Thailand’s historic former capital.
Ancient Sukothai- Thailand’s Cultural Heritage– Ancient Sukhothai: Thailand’s Cultural Heritage offers a deeper look at the temples, Buddhist art, architecture, and history of Thailand’s first great capital. A useful companion for travelers who want to understand the remarkable ruins of Sukhothai beyond simply photographing them.
Ayutthaya Travel Guides:
Ayutthaya: A stunning visual journey through the ancient capital of Siam– For a more visual introduction to Ayutthaya, Ayutthaya: A Stunning Visual Journey Through the Ancient Capital of Siam explores the temples, ruins, and history of Thailand’s former royal capital through photography. A great coffee-table book for travelers, history lovers, or anyone fascinated by ancient Thailand.
A History of Ayutthaya: Siam in the Early Modern World– Want to understand more about the kingdom behind Ayutthaya’s incredible temple ruins? A History of Ayutthaya: Siam in the Early Modern World provides a deeper look at the history of this once-powerful Siamese capital.
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Ryan Fox AWS, NWS, TWSA
Ryan Fox Painting
(919) 645-8345