Things to Do in Ayutthaya

About Ayutthaya

Ayutthaya was Siam's capital for 400 years before invaders burned it to the ground in 1767. What remains is a UNESCO World Heritage site on an island where three rivers meet, littered with headless Buddhas, crumbling temple towers, and enough ruins to fill days of exploration. The famous Buddha head tangled in banyan tree roots sits at Wat Mahathat—you can't miss it, and you shouldn't. The city feels different from Bangkok. Quieter, mostly. You can bike between temple complexes without dodging traffic every five seconds, and the Chao Phraya River still reflects the old palace silhouettes against longtail boats headed upstream. The ruins don't whisper or breathe or any of that—they just sit there, impressive and half-destroyed, proving that even powerful kingdoms end badly. Wat Phra Si Sanphet held three kings' ashes in its chedis. Wat Chaiwatthanaram copies Angkor Wat's design and looks best at sunset, though every travel blog will tell you that. Spend time wandering the smaller temples too—fewer crowds, same history. The island layout makes navigation easy enough, and you'll cover the major sites in a day if you start early.

Travel Tips

Transportation: Rent bicycles for 50-80 baht daily to explore temples comfortably. Alternatively, hire tuk-tuks for 200-400 baht per hour or join organized tours. Trains from Bangkok's Hua Lamphong Station take 90 minutes (20 baht) and arrive at Ayutthaya Station, walking distance from historical sites.

Money: Bring cash as many temples charge 50-80 baht entrance fees and small vendors don't accept cards. ATMs are readily available near the train station and main roads. Budget 1,000-1,500 baht per person for a full day including transport, meals, and entrance fees.

Cultural Respect: Never pose with Buddha statues by sitting on them or pointing feet toward them. Dress modestly with covered shoulders and knees. Remove shoes before entering active temple halls. Speak quietly and avoid pointing at religious imagery. Photography restrictions apply in some sacred areas.

Food Safety: Try local specialties like boat noodles and roti sai mai (cotton candy crepes) from busy stalls with high turnover. Avoid ice in drinks from street vendors. Bottled water costs 10-15 baht. Riverside restaurants offer safe dining with scenic views for 150-300 baht per meal.

When to Visit

November through February offers ideal conditions with temperatures ranging 20-30°C (68-86°F) and minimal rainfall under 50mm monthly, though accommodation prices peak 40-60% higher during this tourist season. March through May brings scorching heat up to 40°C (104°F) but fewer crowds and 25-35% lower prices, making early mornings and late afternoons perfect for temple exploring. The rainy season (June-October) sees heavy downpours averaging 150-250mm monthly, particularly intense July-September, but creates dramatically moody temple photography opportunities and rock-bottom prices 50-70% below peak season. Key festivals include Songkran water festival (April 13-15) with temple ceremonies and street celebrations, and Loy Krathong (November full moon) when thousands of floating lanterns illuminate the rivers around the ruins. Cultural ensoiasts should visit during cooler months for comfortable walking, while budget travelers benefit from monsoon season's dramatic skies and empty temples. Photography ensoiasts often prefer the golden light and fewer tourists of shoulder months (March-April, October-November). Weekend crowds from Bangkok intensify year-round, making weekday visits consistently more peaceful regardless of season.