Things to Do in Ayutthaya in March
March weather, activities, events & insider tips
March Weather in Ayutthaya
Is March Right for You?
Advantages
- Peak hot season means temple ruins are at their most photogenic with brilliant blue skies and dramatic shadows - the sandstone literally glows golden between 6-9am before the heat becomes intense. You'll get those postcard shots without the monsoon grey skies that dominate other months.
- Songkran Festival hits mid-April, so March is the sweet spot for visiting before the absolute tourism chaos begins. Accommodation prices are still reasonable at ฿800-1,500 per night for decent guesthouses, compared to ฿2,000-3,000 during festival week.
- River levels are low and stable, making boat tours around the island predictable and comfortable. No flooding concerns, no cancelled tours, and the Chao Phraya is calm enough that even travelers prone to motion sickness can handle the long-tail boats without issues.
- Local mango season peaks in March - you'll find varieties at markets that never make it to tourist areas during other months. The street vendors near Wat Mahathat sell khao niao mamuang (mango sticky rice) with actual ripe nam dok mai mangoes for ฿60-80, not the underripe tourist versions.
Considerations
- This is genuinely hot - that 35°C (95°F) feels closer to 40°C (104°F) when you're cycling between temple ruins with 70% humidity and UV index of 8. Most travelers underestimate this and end up exhausted by noon. Outdoor activities between 11am-3pm are pretty miserable unless you're extremely heat-tolerant.
- The 10 rainy days spread throughout March tend to be brief afternoon thunderstorms, but they're unpredictable enough that you can't plan around them. You might get caught in a downpour while exploring ruins with zero shelter - those ancient temples don't have covered walkways.
- March sits in that awkward shoulder season where it's too hot for comfortable all-day exploration but not quite festival season, so the city has a slightly sleepy vibe. Some smaller restaurants and shops near Naresuan Road take extended closures before the April rush, limiting dining options slightly.
Best Activities in March
Early Morning Temple Cycling Circuits
March mornings between 5:30-8:30am offer the only comfortable window for cycling the 5 km (3.1 miles) temple loop around the historical park. The light is spectacular for photography, temperatures are still tolerable at 26-28°C (79-82°F), and you'll have Wat Mahathat and Wat Phra Si Sanphet nearly to yourself. After 9am, the heat makes cycling genuinely unpleasant. Rent bikes from guesthouses along Naresuan Road for ฿50-100 per day - most provide basic maps marking the main ruins.
Sunset River Cruises on the Chao Phraya
Low water levels in March make evening boat tours exceptionally smooth and predictable. The 5:30-7pm time slot catches golden hour light on the riverside temples while avoiding the midday heat entirely. Long-tail boat tours circumnavigating the island typically take 90 minutes and cost ฿1,500-2,500 for the entire boat (fits 4-6 people). March's stable weather means cancellations are rare, unlike monsoon months where tours get scrapped regularly.
Ayutthaya Night Market Food Crawls
The Chao Phrom Market night bazaar (open 5pm-10pm) comes alive in March as locals escape the daytime heat. This is peak season for tropical fruits - mangoes, mangosteens, rambutans - and the grilled river fish vendors set up along Uthong Road. Dishes run ฿40-120, and you'll find proper local food, not tourist-adapted versions. The evening timing means you're eating in 28-30°C (82-86°F) temperatures instead of scorching midday heat.
Bang Pa-In Royal Palace Day Trips
Located 20 km (12.4 miles) south of Ayutthaya, this summer palace complex offers manicured gardens with actual shade trees - a relief in March heat. The Chinese-style pavilions and European-inspired buildings provide indoor air-conditioned breaks between outdoor exploration. March's dry weather means the reflecting pools photograph beautifully without monsoon murkiness. Plan 2-3 hours for the full grounds. Entry is ฿100 for foreigners.
Wat Chaiwatthanaram Sunrise Photography Sessions
March offers the clearest skies of the year for sunrise shots at this Khmer-style temple complex on the western bank. Arrive by 5:45am (sunrise around 6:15am in March) to catch the temple silhouetted against pink-orange skies before tour groups arrive at 8am. The ฿50 entry fee is worth it for photographers - the prang towers and riverside location create dramatic compositions impossible at midday when harsh light washes everything out.
Thai Cooking Classes with Market Tours
March's abundant produce makes this ideal timing for cooking classes - you'll work with peak-season mangoes, fresh herbs, and just-caught river fish from morning markets. Most classes run 9am-1pm or 3-7pm to avoid midday heat, teaching 4-5 dishes in air-conditioned kitchens with market tours included. Classes typically cost ฿1,200-2,000 per person and provide a welcome indoor break from temple-hopping in the heat.
March Events & Festivals
Makha Bucha Day
This Buddhist holiday (date varies by lunar calendar, typically late February or early March 2026) sees candlelit processions at major temples after sunset. Locals walk clockwise around temple grounds three times carrying flowers, incense, and candles. Wat Mahathat and Wat Phra Si Sanphet host the largest observances. It's a genuinely spiritual experience if you're respectful - dress modestly, remove shoes, and follow the procession quietly. No photography during ceremonies.