Ayutthaya Thailand Attractions

Wat Phra Si Sangher, Ayutthaya Historical Study Centre

Located on Rochana Road, this Centre is devoted to the study of Ayutthaya. Its museum exhibits reconstructions of the city’s past. It has an information service and a library containing historical materials about Ayutthaya. Open daily 9.00 -16.30. On official holidays 9.00 a.m.-5.00 p.m. For more information, call 0 3524 5124.

Chao Sam Phraya National Museum

Located on Rochana Road, opposite the city wall, the Museum houses antique bronze Buddha images, carved panels and other objects of art that more than 500 years old as also local artifacts. Open daily except Monday, Tuesday and national holidays, 9.00 -16.00. For more information, call 0 3524 1587.

Grand Palace

Currently called "The Ancient Palace", this residential dwelling for every king was located close to the city wall. Important buildings inside the Grand Palace compound are:

The hall was decorated with gold leaf and surrounded by cloisters. It was used for various royal ceremonies including coronations.

This building, in the same design as Wihan Somdet Hall, was used by the king to welcome foreign envoys and visitors.

A four-gabled building of sandstone and brick, it is close to the riverside city wall. It was used for observing the royal barge processions.

This three-gabled hall is on the inner eastern city wall in front of the Grand Palace. It was used to view processions and military exercises.

Located behind the Sanphet Prasat Hall, this hall is believed to have been the royal consorts’ living quarters with a regal leisure garden.

Banyong Rattanat Hall

This four-gabled hall is located on an island in a pond at the back of the Grand Palace.

Chankasem or Front Palace

This palace beside the Pasak River was built by King Maha Thammaracha, the 17th Ayutthaya monarch, as a residence for his son. Like other ruins, it was destroyed in 1767 by the Burmese and abandoned. In the mid-19th century, King Rama IV ordered it rebuilt as a residence for his occasional visits to Ayutthaya. There are a lot of interesting sites in the palace like City Wall and Gate, Phlapphla Chaturamuk, Phiman Rattaya Hall and more.

Bang Pa-in Palace

The palace is located 18 km. south of Ayutthaya, 58 km. north of Bangkok by rail and 1 km. by road. The grounds are open daily 8.30-16.00. For more information, call 0 2224 32 3 or 0 352 1044.

Originally, Bang Pa-in was a riverine island. King Prasat Thong (1630-1655) had a palace built on a lake in the middle of the island as a royal retreat, and it was used by every succeeding Ayutthaya monarch. But when the capital moved to Bangkok, the palace was left unused for 80 years.

Bang Pa-in was revived by King Rama IV (1851-1868), who had a house built there. His son, King Rama V (1868-1910), liked the place immensely, stayed there every year and constructed the splendid ensemble as it is seen today. Important buildings are Aisawanthipphaya-at Pavilion, Warophat Phiman Hall, Phra Thinang Utthayan Phumisathian, King Rama VI Theatre, Hemmonthian Thewarat, Saphakhan Ratchaprayun and more.

Ayutthaya Thailand Local Product

Khanom Babin

Dating back almost 100 years, Khanom Babin is a Thai dessert which originated in Amphoe Tha Ruea, Ayutthaya Province. Traditional Khanom Babin is made of coconut milk, shredded coconut meat, sticky rice flour and granulated sugar. Mae Ud and Mae Siyon are two shops that have sold this dessert for a long time.

Roti Sai Mai

One of the all-time-favourite candies admired by both Thais and foreigners alike, Sai Mai is Thai-style candy floss or cotton candy, wrapped by Roti, thin, pan-fried flour. To this day, Roti Sai Mai has become one of Ayutthaya's most preferred sweets, as it is easy to eat. The fun part comes when wrapping them. They are available at street stalls or shops located on Uthong Road (in front of Phra Nakho Si Ayutthaya Hospital) and behind Phra NakhonSi Ayutthay Rajabhat University.

Palm Leaf Hat

A handicraft, inherited since ancient times, weaving a palm leaf hat requires no less craftsmanship than any other kinds of basketwork. The weavers have to be skilled and patient as the crafts will have to undergo a number of weaving steps. The palm leaf hat is now an OTOP product of Tambon Bang Nang Ra, Amphoe Bang Pahan, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya.

Palm Leaf Fish Mobile

Weavers of the palm leaf fish mobile and other palm leaf products, in this province are Thai Muslims. Thai people in ancient times regarded Thai barb as an auspicious fish that would help to attract wealth, so a palm leaf fish mobile would be hung in the corridor in front of the house.

Krayasat

Candy rice is a very sweet Thai-style dessert used as an offering in a ceremony carried out after the harvest season. It is made from ingredients such as peanuts, sesame, sugar, coconut, and pounded unripe rice, etc. The most recommended candy rice is the province's OTOP product labelled under the "Thai Heritage Krayasat" brand. Call 0 3535 9997 for more details.

Bamboo Fan

Bamboo fan weaving in Amphoe Ban Phraek, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya has been inherited from the olden days. Its form changed to imitate that of a Bodhi leaf or a heart shape. The border is trimmed with gold cloth while the weaving techniques and designs have become more complicated. Required materials are easily available including strips of golden bamboo, a splitting knife to make bamboo strips, golden trimming cloth, white cloth, dyes for bamboo strips, a cutting block, bamboo handle, etc.

Ayutthaya Thailand Activities

Boat trips to enjoy the beautiful scenery and Thai lifestyle

Trips are available along the Chao Phraya River, the Pa Sak River and around the town island of Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya. A long-tailed boat can be chartered at the pier in front of Chanthara Kasem National Museum, Pom Phet Pier, and Wat Phananchoeng Pier. The fare depends on the route and duration. There are also boat tours provided by:

• Ruean Raprong Restaurant. The boats are in service during 09.00 – 22.00 daily. Service charge inclusive of food and beverage for a tour comes to around 320 baht / person. For more details, please call Tel. 0 3521 1036, 08 1994 1565.
• Nawa Nakhon. The boats have two sizes: the small ones for 8 persons and the large ones for 10 persons. They are available at 800 Baht, during 8.00 – 20.00. Contact Khun Chinnathon at Tel. 08 1928 2887 or Khun Wilai at Tel. 08 1658 9148.
• Ayutthaya Boat & Travel Providing boat and bicycle tours around the province. For more details, please call Tel. 0 2746 1414, 08 1456 9862, 08 9456 3700, 08 1733 5687.
• Pradit Boat Travel provides a motor boat tour around the island town of Ayutthaya, starting from Wat Phananchoeng Pier. There is also dinner on the boat provided by several other restaurants. Tel. 08 6123 1669.

Cycle Tours

Starting from TAT Tourist Information Centre at the old city hall, the suggested 11.82 km cycling route is flat and paved, passing over a concrete bridge. It is ideal for families and amateurs and can be enjoyed year-round. Bicycles are available for rent at several locations.
Bike rental shops:
Lung Piak, tel. 08 9037 0143
Good Luck, tel. 0 3532 3379
Ban Chantha Guesthouse, tel. 08 9785 4216
BJ Guesthouse, tel. 0 3525 1526

Bangkok Ayutthaya Cruise by River King Cruise

The Cruise will take you to the World Heritage in Thailand Ayutthaya Province with international buffet lunch & coffee break. Witness the sensational view of the Chaopraya River where the great Temple of dawn (Wat Arun), Grand Palace ( Wat Prakaew) and Rama 8 Bridge are nested. Visit the highlights of Ayutthaya; Summer Palace, Wat Yai Chaiyamonkol, Wat phrasisanphet, and Vihara Phramongkolbopitr.

Sukhothai – Ayutthaya Mountain Biking

At the ancient Siamese capital of Sukhothai, there are dedicated cycle paths to take you round the majestic ruins, temples and palaces. Further south, a bike is the ideal way to see the sprawling remains of the kingdom’s once great capital Ayutthaya.