Ang Thong, located 40 kilometers away from Ayutthaya, is a place where English is rarely spoken, making it challenging to book a Grab ride. Surprisingly, it boasts the tallest Buddha statue in Thailand, along with the largest outdoor reclining Buddha. Despite having such remarkable cultural treasures, tourism hasn't flourished here, probably due to transportation difficulties and the scattered nature of the temples.
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◦ Wat Muang: The Tallest Buddha Statue
Ang Thong is the largest area for rice cultivation in central Thailand. You can find many temples scattered throughout the vast fields. One of the most famous temples in Ang Thong is Wat Muang. It is known for having the tallest Buddha statue in Thailand and a sculpture park depicting heaven and hell. The giant golden Buddha is incredibly impressive, whether you see it from near or far. It stands at a height of 92 meters, making it the ninth tallest Buddha statue in the world.
◦ Wat Khun Inthapramun
Wat Khun Inthapramun boasts the largest outdoor reclining Buddha in Thailand, measuring approximately 50 meters in length. It is even 4 meters longer than the golden reclining Buddha at Wat Pho. People show their deep respect and devotion by adorning Buddha’s elbows and feet with gold leaf and coins.
◦ The Trust and Kindness of Thai People
During my two days in Ang Thong, it was perhaps the most heartwarming encounter I've had with kind-hearted people in Thailand. After dropping off my luggage at the hotel, it took me nearly half an hour to find a Grab driver in the bustling area to get to Wat Muang, which was about 12 kilometers away. I breathed a sigh of relief when I saw many people heading there, thinking it would be easier to leave later. Little did I know, most of them drove their own cars, and once again I was stuck without a ride.
With no car available, I decided to start walking. Along the main road, a man with a child in his vehicle kindly gave me a ride to the next destination. After visiting the reclining Buddha, a similar situation occurred. I had walked about 2 kilometers on a country road when a woman on a scooter passed by, only to come back shortly after to check on me. She spoke Thai, I spoke English, and we couldn't communicate well. After several unsuccessful attempts, I gave up and said goodbye to her. Not long after, the persistent woman returned and took me to a place where I could find English-speaking people. Finally, understanding my destination, she drove me back home.
Both times I got off their vehicles, I insisted on giving them some money, but they simply waved it away and departed. The trust and kindness of the people here have left a profound impression on me.
The image of the giant Buddha may fade from memory over the years, but I will remember the kindness of these two individuals for a very long time.
◦ How to get to Ang Thong?
From Bangkok｜Take a minivan from Victory Mall near BTS Victory Monument Station, and it takes approximately 90 minutes to reach Ang Thong Bus Station.
From Ayutthaya｜Wait at the bus stop on 32nd Road near Robinson Department Store Ayutthaya（14°20’03.1″N 100°36’47.0″E）for a minivan heading to Ang Thong. The journey takes about 30 minutes.
