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Ayutthaya Tourism

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Ayutthaya

3.4 / 5 33 votes

Thailand

Country rank: 26 out of 31 Places To Visit In Thailand

Sub-Region: Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province

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Weather:

Ideal duration: 1-2 days

Best time: November - February (Read More)

Nearest Airport: BANGKOK (Check Flights)

"Land of Wats"

Ayutthaya Tourism

Ayutthaya, short for Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, is a small city in Thailand containing archaeological sites like temples, monasteries, palaces, etc. It lies just 80 kilometres north of Bangkok and hence is an ideal destination for a day trip from Bangkok.

Ayutthaya, the former capital of Thailand from the 14th century until late 18th century, is a beautiful city oozing history and culture. It is a UNESCO world heritage site. It derives its name from the Sanskrit word for the place Ayodhya of Ramayana, the birthplace of Lord Ram.

Architecturally rich, it is a magical land for photographers. Ayutthaya offers a lot of Wats and monasteries like Wat Phra Sri Sanphet, Wat Mahathat, Wat Ratchaburana and many more where tourists usually go for sightseeing. It is a popular day trip choice for travellers who are in Thailand and want to see something different that has visually more heritage. Today, in comparison to ancient times, a lot of modern Thai culture is evolving in this place. A lot of guesthouses and cafes have been built for tourist recreation.

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Places to Visit In Ayutthaya

Wat Phra Si Sanphet

Wat Mahathat

Chao Sam Phraya National Museum

Bang Pa-in Palace

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Hotels in Ayutthaya

Ayutthaya Customs

Ayutthaya is a temple and monastery city. Hence respectful dressing is required. While visiting temples, both women and men are expected to cover themselves appropriately. If the weather is humid, capris or knee covering shorts can be worn. General etiquettes and manners like not touching the Buddha statue, not pointing your feet at anyone, are to be followed. Thai people are known to be extremely polite and go out of their way to be kind to visitors. Therefore it is advisable never to lose face in public. Tipping at high-end restaurants can be done, but local vendors usually don't expect tips. However, if you particularly appreciate someone's services, you can definitely tip them.

Language of Ayutthaya

Thai is the most spoken language in Ayutthaya, and a lot of the locals don't know English. Managers of a few hotels will know English, but the local vendors do not speak it. Hence, to be on the safer side, you can either opt for a tour guide or learn a few Thai phrases or carry an English to Thai dictionary.

History of Ayutthaya

Ayutthaya, founded in the year 1350, became the second capital of the Siamese kingdom. It was one of the world's biggest centre for diplomacy back then. Later, the Burmese army attacked and destroyed the city in 1767. Then onwards, the city is known for its ruins and great temples and monasteries that keep it culturally alive. The ruins now talk about the city's golden past.

Nightlife in Ayutthaya

Ayutthaya has very little to offer when it comes to nightlife. Exploring the city at night is fun, but drinking at bars and clubs is rare here. Sometimes, some local vendors roadside set up drink stalls. On the outskirts of the city, there is Grand street market area where there are bars with bar girls, karaoke clubs and massage parlours where travellers can go in the night to experience an interesting nightlife. One of the best of these bars is the Cowboy Bar.

Shopping in Ayutthaya

When it comes to shopping, Ayutthaya is has a variety of unique products to offer at its markets. The most famous are the handicrafts made by the skilled local men and women. It includes pottery, jewellery, weaving. The Bang Sai is well known for its authentic hand-made products that travellers can buy as souveniers. The floating market of Ayutthaya is another one that this city boasts about, and you can buy beautiful wooden toys here. The night market also offers local delicacies.

Currency in Ayutthaya

Credit and debit cards are commonly accepted in hotels and restaurants, but at street shops and stalls, only cash is accepted.

Exchanging Money in Ayutthaya

There are plenty of banks where currency can be exchanged. Besides that, ATMs are spread all over the city for people who prefer carrying the plastic cards over huge amounts of cash.

Daily Budget for Ayutthaya

Travellers should ideally go for a day trip to Ayutthaya from Bangkok. Ayutthaya is cheaper than many other cities of Thailand. An estimate of THB 600 - 700 would be enough to have an eventful day here. This would include travelling within, food, entry fees to various temples, shopping and drinks.

Restaurants and Local Food in Ayutthaya

Ayutthaya has a decent number of restaurants and road side eateries. This city is most famous for its boat noodles, river prawns and a sweet dish called Roti Sai Mai. These local delicacies can be found at almost all the restaurants and market stalls for a very inexpensive price. Some popular places are Pa Lek and Roti road. There are several restaurants serving extremely fresh sea food, one of the best being Ban Mai Lim Nam. The street stalls at the night market offer some tasty Khao Mok Gai which is a Muslim-Thai biryani.

Best time to Visit Ayutthaya

Commuting within Ayutthaya

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How to Reach Ayutthaya

Ayutthaya's easy distance of 80km from Bangkok means that the most convenient way to reach here is from Bangkok. Once in Bangkok, you can take a train to Ayutthaya. (Read More)

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