Things to do in Ayutthaya

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Chantharakasem National Museum

This quaint musuem is set towards the northeast corner of the island and contains a smaller collection of exhibits than the grander Chao Phraya Museum.

The palace was originally built in 1577 as the residence of King Naresuan, before he ascended the throne. Later on it served as the residence of the crown prince. When the Burmese flattened Ayutthaya the palace went as well, but under King Rama IV's orders it was rebuilt in 1936 and proclaimed a national musuem.

Three buildings in the complex are now home to the museum. As you enter the complex, the first two buildings on the left contain exhibitions 1 and 2, while the large L-shaped building ahead and to your right contain the 3rd exhibition.

The first building, the Chaturamuk Pavilion, contains a memorial to King Rama IV and a variety of items used by him, such as beds, chairs and tables. Next up, Phimanrathaya Pavilion is home to a large display of Buddha images, votive tablets and other relics. There's also a photograhic display of Ayutthaya's temples. The Deputy Government Building features displays ranging from cannons to wardrobes.

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U_Thong Road
Opening Hours: Wed-Sun 09:00-16:00 closed Mon, Tue and public holidays
How to get there: The museum is in the northern part of town, a ten-minute walk from the centre.

Wat Khun San

All that remains of this wat is a large stone chedi with a gash running down one side, although its set in a pleasant little garden. Wat Khun San certainly isn't worth a trip across town to see, but if you are in the area it is worth a peek.

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U-Thong Road
How to get there: Wat Khun San is on the northern bank of the island, to the west of Chantharakasem National Museum.

Wat Suwandawas

Records of when this wat was built have been destroyed, as was the wat itself during the Burmese razing. Today all that remains are a few small chedis and a badly-damaged Buddha image. The setting is nevertheless quite photogenic.

Don't confuse this site with Wat Suwandararam on the southeast corner of the island.

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Kalahom Road
How to get there: This small site is just to the south of the northern bank of the island. It is about a 15-minute walk from the town centre.

Khun Phaen's Residence

This 1894-built house was the home of a former governor of Ayutthaya, and was moved here from another site in 1940 by Dr Pridi. It's built on the former site of a prison and area where public executions took place.

Some additions were made to the original house to create a better example of traditional Thai living. The interior of the house is lovely and cool -- probably a lot cooler than your guesthouse constructed following contemporary Thai architectural trends.

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Si Sanphet Road
How to get there: The house is just past the TAT office on Si Sanphet Road.

Wat Phra Ram

Wat Phra Ram marks the cremation grounds of King U-Thong and was built in 1369.

In the years following its construction the wat was allowed to deteriorate considerably, and it was only its close proximity to the Royal Palace that saved it from rack and ruin.

During the reign of King Boromatrailokanat a decision was made to completely renovate the temple and it was renovated again during the reign of King Boromakot in 1741.

Aside from the centrepiece corn-cob styled chedi, there is a collection of other minor chedis and a headless, armless seated Buddha. You can also climb up to the base of the chedi from where there is a good view of the complex and the immediate surounds.

This is not one of Ayuttaya's biggest or most well-kept wats, but is pleasant and its proximity to the lagoon makes it quite cool. The lagoon is very pretty in early morning when the lotus flowers are in bloom.

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Si Sanphet Road
Opening Hours: Daily 07:30 - 18:30, floodlit nightly 19:00 - 21:00
How to get there: This wat is to the north of the TAT office. The entrance is via the rear of the temple.

Wat Phra Sri Sanphet and the Grand Palace

This impressive site boasts an array of nooks and crannies to explore as well as plentiful shade. The original site was used as a royal palace during the reign of King Ramathibodi I from 1350. In 1448, King Borommatrailokanat ordered that a temple be built here creating a centrepiece to the vast palace complex. A viharn was built in 1499 and a year later the Phra Buddha Chai Sri Sanpet, a 16-metre tall Buddha image, was cast and covered in gold.

During its heyday, the Grand Palace boasted the Sanphet Prasat Hall, with a five-tiered gold-covered roof, as well as an array of other regal buildings. Because it was designated a royal wat, no monks dwelled here and it was used only for royal ceremonies.

When the Burmese ransacked the city in 1767, they totally trashed the place, melting down 161 kilogrammes of gold from the Phra Buddha Chao Sri Sanphet alone and setting fire to everything else. During the reign of King Rama I, the bronze core of the image was transferred to Wat Phra Chetuphon in Bangkok, where it was placed inside a specially built chedi.

All that remains today of this once eponymous complex are the three chedis constructed to contain the ashes of King Borommatrailokanat along with those of his sons King Borommarachathirat III and King Ramthibodi II.

To appreciate the scale of the palace complex, see the model upstairs in the tourist office.

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Sri Sanphet Road
Opening Hours: Daily 07:30 - 18:30, Floodlit nightly 19:00 - 21:00
How to get there: Wat Phra Sri Sanphet is located on Sri Sanphet Road, just to the south of the site of the former palace.

Viharn Phra Mongkhon Bophit

This viharn holds Phra Mongkhon Bophit, one of the most important Buddha images in Ayutthaya and a highlight for Buddhists visiting the town. The massive seated Buddha marks what was the official cremation area for the Thai royal family from 1612 until the sacking of Ayutthaya in 1767, after which Sanam Luang in Bangkok was used.

During the rule of King Sua, lightning struck the building that housed the image and the Buddha head was knocked off. A restoration took place during the reign of King Borommakot but the image was badly damaged again during the Burmese attack and the viharn was destroyed.

During the most recent attempt at restoration in 1955, a collection of Buddha images were found in the left shoulder of the statue. These have all been carted off to the Chao Sam Phraya National Musuem. In 1990, the image was covered with gold, helped by Queen Sirikit who donated 70,000 baht to help purchase the gold.



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Sri Sanphet Road
Opening Hours: Daily 08:00 - 18:00
How to get there: Viharn Phra Mongkhon Bophit is located just to the south of Wat Sri Sanphet on Sri Sanphet Road.

Wat Ratchaburana

Wat Ratchaburana boasts a spectacular Khmer-style prang and a quirky history as well. In 1424, King Intharacharthirat died and two of his sons, Chao Aye Phraya of Suphanaburi and Chao Yi Phtaya of Sanburi met on the site of the wat to contest the throne via an elephant duel. They both died, leading brother number three Chao Sa Phraya from Phitsanulok taking the throne. He ordered the building of the wat on his family's cremation site.

In 1957 the crypt within the main prang was looted, but luckily some of the scoundrels were apprehended and some booty recovered. Visitors may descend to the crypt to see some of the remaining treasures.

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Sri Sanphet Road
Opening Hours: Daily 07:30 - 18:30 Floodlit nightly 19:00 - 21:00
How to get there: Wat Ratchaburana is on Sri Sanphet Road, a 15-minute walk from the TAT office.

Wat Phlap Phlu Chu

This early-Ayutthaya period wat has shrunk to a small chedi and basic brickwork only worth sticking your head in to see if you're in the area.

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Sri Sanphet Road
How to get there: Wat Phlap Phlu Chu is towards the northern end of Sri Sanphet Road.

Wat Thammikarat

This early-Ayutthaya period temple was once home to a large bronze Buddha image. Only its head now remains and is housed at the Chao Sam Phraya National Musuem.

The centrepiece today is the roofless viharn that has around ten towering brick pillars. All the Buddha images have all been removed or were destroyed. By the entrance is a topless chedi surrounded by around 50 stucco lions, many of which have had their heads lopped off.

While it's not worth a visit in its own right, if you happen to be in the area it's worth swinging by.

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Naresuan Rd
Opening Hours: Daily
How to get there: The wat is just to the north of Naresuan Road, though it can also be approached from U-Thong Road.

Wat Na Phra Men

This highly-revered temple escaped destruction by the Burmese as they chose it as a base to launch their attacks. It was restored during the reign of King Rama III.

The main attraction here is a large golden seated Buddha and a beautifully carved ceiling. The smaller viharn behind and to the right has some vague and faded murals.

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North of the island
Opening Hours: Daily 08:00 - 18:00
How to get there: Wat Na Phra Men is on the north bank of the river and can be reached either by a footbridge to the west or a vehicular bridge to the right.

Wat Choeng Tha

This small ruined temple is within walking distance of Wat Na Phra Men. Set in small garden of safron wrapped chedis, the wat has a couple of small Buddha images and is in a pretty worn but photogenic state. A noticeboard by the entrance lists the names the wat has gone by throughout its history.

Wat Choeng Tha is worth a visit if you're already in the area to see Wat Na Phra Men. There is a footbridge to the island nearby.

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North of the island

Chedi Phu Khao Thong

This massive, slightly lopsided white chedi is believed to have been built by a Burmese king and forms the western landmark of Ayutthaya. Not worth the effort of getting to unless you're a ruin buff.


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Around 4km out of town
How to get there: It's about a 30-minute bicycle ride to the site from the town centre. Only worth a trip in the early morning or late afternoon when the light is nice and you won't keel over from the heat.

Queen Sri Suriyothai Memorial

This large memorial pagoda sits on the western bank of the river overlooking the area where the annual Ayutthaya boat races are held.

It was built by King Maha Chakkraphat in honour of his queen, who lost her life in order to save his during a battle on elephant back in 1548. The story has been embellished in the epic blockbuster Suriyothai. (Gorgeous visually, but dreadfully boring, by the way.)

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U-Thong Rd

Wat Chaiwatthanaram

When King Prasat Thong returned victorious from Cambodia, he ordered the construction of this sprawling Khmer-influenced temple. Centered around a large chedi, the complex has four lesser chedis surrounding it along with 120 stucco seated Buddhas.

The complex runs down to a pleasant stretch of the Chao Phraya River and is best visited in early morning and late afternoon.


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South of the island
Opening Hours: Daily 07:30 - 18:30.

St Joseph's Church

Originally built by Vietnamese immigrants, St Joseph's church was destroyed during the sacking of Ayutthaya in 1767 and sat in a ruined state for almost 100 years until finally being restored during the reign of King Rama IV.

Unremarkable for a church, it does have some rather nice stained glass windows, if that tickles your fancy. Unfortunately It is usually locked.


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South of the island

Wat Phutthaisawan

Built in 1353 by King U-Thong, this complex originally formed a temporary lodging for royalty. Set beside the river, this temple is particularly interesting as the modern functioning Wat at the front of the complex contrasts with the intact older buildings in the middle and crumbling ruins at the rear. The main attraction is the white Khmer style prang , surrounded by 105 seated Buddhas around the courtyard. Up inside the Prang, a black reclining Buddha can be found tucked away behind the central altar.

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South of the island

Pridi Phanomyong Monument

This smallish traditional house is worth a look if you happen to be in the area, though Khun Phaen's residence is probably a better example and is more centrally located.

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U-Thong Rd
Opening Hours: Tue-Sun 09:00-16:30

Muslim Quarter

Across from the island, nestled along the southern banks of the river is a predominantly Muslim community. The hotch potch of houses, and mosques interconnected by small lanes and pathways makes this an interesting area to explore.

Wat Mahathat

Built during the reign of King Borom Rachathirat I, Wat Mahathat featured a large central prang which collapsed and was later rebuilt. Sacked by the Burmese, the complex has been in a state of ruin ever since. The highlight of this temple is perhaps the most photographed site in Ayutthaya: an ancient Buddha head being engulfed by the roots of a giant tree.

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Opening Hours: Daily 07:30 - 18:30. Floodlit nightly 19:00 to 21:00.

Queen Suriyothai Monument

Not to be confused with the Queen Suriyothai Chedi on the island, this monument to Queen Suriyothai is located outside of town in a large park that is empty most days. It's worth a drive-through if you are in the area on the way to Chedi Phu Khao Thong or dinner at the romantic Chaw Praya Hut.

Elephant Stay at the Elephant Kraal Pavilion

Elephants have played an important role in Thai history and culture, so it is fitting that visitors to the Ayutthaya Historical Park have the opportunity to take a short tour of the ruins on the back of one of these noble beasts. The elephants that provide these rides and their mahouts all live at the Elephant Kraal located about four kilometers to the northeast of the island. If a short afternoon elephant ride at the ruins isn't enough, there is an opportunity to stay at the Kraal from one to twenty-eight days and learn more about how the 90 elephants in residence are cared for and trained. As Michelle, the Australian-born manager of the Kraal says, We don't sell rooms, we sell an elephant experience. Even if you don't want to spend the night, it's worth the trip out of town just to see the elephants of all ages roaming in their large pen.

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74/1 M.3 Tumbol Suanpik, Ayutthaya
info@elephantstay.com
http://www.elephantstay.com/

Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon

This 650 year old temple complex is one of the more popular sites off of the island. It includes a reclining Buddha and a huge chedi that can be scaled for an outstanding view of Ayutthaya. If you make it here, be sure to go another kilometre down the road to visit Wat Phananchoeng.

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Opening Hours: Daily 07:30 to 18:30.

Wat Phananchoeng

After visiting the ruins in the historical park, it's refreshing to see one that is still in use today. Wat Phananchoeng is often packed full of Thai worshippers, especially those of Chinese decent. The six-meter tall, 600 year old sitting Buddha is one of the most revered in Thailand. Be sure to walk round the side of the temple down to the river where you can also feed hundreds of enormous fish.

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Opening Hours: Daily 07:30 - 18:30.

Portugese settlement

It's a pleasant enough bike ride alongside the rice paddies to this spot, but not really worth it unless skeletons happen to be your thing. If the building appears locked, try the door around the back.

On the way to the Portugese settlement, just after a large factory on your left, is a small boatyard set back from the road. The owner is quite happy to receive visitors and let you have a quick wander amongst various boats under repair and renovation in this working boatyard. Continuing on, if you have a bicycle and fancy taking the long way back to town, just carry on past the Portugese settlement and keep going until you come to a bridge about 6kms further on. Turn left over the bridge and then left again and you'll be back in town in a couple of hours.

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Opening Hours: Daily 08:00 to 17:00

Bang Pa-in Palace

King Rama V liked to holiday here, but as things were becoming downtrodden he had the whole site made-over into what you see today; a variety of immaculate buildings nestled amongst manicured gardens, statue lined bridges, ponds and fountains. Shame about the piped music, which some say adds to the experience.

Near the entrance a wooden exhibition hall contains all the background information on Thai kings and the history of the palace you may need. The chequered marble verandas of Thansana tower are worth the climb to catch a cool breeze and views over the grounds (mind your head going up the stairs). Nearby, the beautiful red and gold royal mansion features hand-painted ceramic floor tiles, mother-of-pearl inlay furniture, and a elaborate camel bone carving. By all accounts King Rama V liked a lot of company, and all the small houses you see along the outer wall surrounding this building were for his lady friends.

By now it could be time for a cold drink and what better setting than Therawat Khanlai Gate which overlooks the Thai style pavilion in the lake. It is possible to find a quiet shady spot and enjoy these beautiful grounds perhaps with a picnic, book, or maybe an ipod, but be warned weekends are packed.

Bring you Map of Ayutthaya from the TAT office with you as it has a guide and map of the palace on the back.

The best way to get here from Ayutthaya is by train leaving every 45 mins until 13:28. The trip takes 15 minutes and costs 5B. The palace is 3km from the station so take a tuk-tuk. Cost 20B.

Songtheaws from Ayutthaya take a leisurely hour, cost 20B and you'll still need a tuk tuk at the end of the ride.

To charter a return tuk-tuk from Ayutthaya, expect to pay around 350B includes waiting time.

Finally, under your own steam, it's an easy countryside ride by moped.

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20km south of Ayutthaya
Opening Hours: Daily 08:00 to 16:00