Guidebook for Bang Pa-in District
Food Scene
A long-time favourite among weekenders from Bangkok, this riverside, open-air restaurant serves up a good selection of fish and shellfish, grilled to succulent perfection. Among the must-try dishes include grilled giant river prawns, garlic-fried fresh water fish and salt-grilled snakehead fish. Opening Hours: 08:30 – 20:30 Location: 36/2 U-thong Road (on the way to Hua Ror Market) Tel: +66 (0)35 252 013, +66 (0)81-696-2439
Chainam Restaurant
จ.36/2A long-time favourite among weekenders from Bangkok, this riverside, open-air restaurant serves up a good selection of fish and shellfish, grilled to succulent perfection. Among the must-try dishes include grilled giant river prawns, garlic-fried fresh water fish and salt-grilled snakehead fish. Opening Hours: 08:30 – 20:30 Location: 36/2 U-thong Road (on the way to Hua Ror Market) Tel: +66 (0)35 252 013, +66 (0)81-696-2439
With the restaurant hidden from street view the effort will pay off as you enjoy its tasty Thai-style seafood dishes. The signature dishes, including spicy snakehead fish salad, stir-fried crabmeat with curry powder, som tam and stir-fried fish in chili paste, will not disappoint. Opening Hours: 10:00 – 22:00 Location: U-Thong Road, at the river crossing pier to Wat Khun Phrom Price Range: Affordable
ร้านอาหาร บ้านไม้ ริมน้ำ อยุธยา
ถนน อู่ทองWith the restaurant hidden from street view the effort will pay off as you enjoy its tasty Thai-style seafood dishes. The signature dishes, including spicy snakehead fish salad, stir-fried crabmeat with curry powder, som tam and stir-fried fish in chili paste, will not disappoint. Opening Hours: 10:00 – 22:00 Location: U-Thong Road, at the river crossing pier to Wat Khun Phrom Price Range: Affordable
Drinks & Nightlife
Another popular hangout place with a mixed crowd of Thais and foreigners, Chang House has been around since 2003. The bar offers local beers, spirits and cocktails, along with Thai, Indian and western food. It has partly indoor and outdoor seating, with a big-screen TV for live sports and live band music every night. Opening Hours: 12:00 – midnight Location: Naresuan Soi 1
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Chang House
Another popular hangout place with a mixed crowd of Thais and foreigners, Chang House has been around since 2003. The bar offers local beers, spirits and cocktails, along with Thai, Indian and western food. It has partly indoor and outdoor seating, with a big-screen TV for live sports and live band music every night. Opening Hours: 12:00 – midnight Location: Naresuan Soi 1
A popular hangout place after dark, this cowboy-themed beer bar offers Thai food and local beers at a reasonable price. It sits in the Grand Market neighbourhood, Ayutthaya’s thriving red light district – a virtually ‘undiscovered’ area among foreign travellers. So, if you come here, expect to rub shoulders with the locals. Live band plays country, rock and Thai pop music every night. Opening Hours: 17:00 – 02:00 Location: Grand Market, Rojana Road (near Ayutthaya Grand Hotel)
คาวบอยบาร์
A popular hangout place after dark, this cowboy-themed beer bar offers Thai food and local beers at a reasonable price. It sits in the Grand Market neighbourhood, Ayutthaya’s thriving red light district – a virtually ‘undiscovered’ area among foreign travellers. So, if you come here, expect to rub shoulders with the locals. Live band plays country, rock and Thai pop music every night. Opening Hours: 17:00 – 02:00 Location: Grand Market, Rojana Road (near Ayutthaya Grand Hotel)
Sightseeing
One of the best-preserved ancient royal monasteries, situated just before the eastern entrance to the inner city, the temple is famous for its large reclining Buddha and a 62-metre inverted bell-shaped chedi (pagoda) built to commemorate King Naresuan’s victory over the Burmese. Location: Southeast of the island (outer city), on Highway 3477 How to get there: Hire a tuk-tuk from the train station or if you drive, from Highway 309, turn left at the chedi roundabout before crossing over the bridge to the inner city to get onto Highway 3477.
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Wat Yai Chaimongkol
40 ตำบล คลองสวนพลูOne of the best-preserved ancient royal monasteries, situated just before the eastern entrance to the inner city, the temple is famous for its large reclining Buddha and a 62-metre inverted bell-shaped chedi (pagoda) built to commemorate King Naresuan’s victory over the Burmese. Location: Southeast of the island (outer city), on Highway 3477 How to get there: Hire a tuk-tuk from the train station or if you drive, from Highway 309, turn left at the chedi roundabout before crossing over the bridge to the inner city to get onto Highway 3477.
The temple contains a large bronze Buddha image – the oldest in Ayutthaya – built in 1325. Walk around the main chapel to the riverside and pay respect to the Queen at the Chinese shrine. It is widely believed that the queen will fulfill a wish of those in search of a soul-mate. Location: Southeastern bank of the Chao Phraya River, off Highway 3477, outer city How to get there: From Highway 309, turn left at the chedi roundabout into Highway 3477.
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Wat Phanan Choeng Worawihan
The temple contains a large bronze Buddha image – the oldest in Ayutthaya – built in 1325. Walk around the main chapel to the riverside and pay respect to the Queen at the Chinese shrine. It is widely believed that the queen will fulfill a wish of those in search of a soul-mate. Location: Southeastern bank of the Chao Phraya River, off Highway 3477, outer city How to get there: From Highway 309, turn left at the chedi roundabout into Highway 3477.
Parks & Nature
Situated 60 km north of Bangkok and within easy reach of Ayutthaya is the illustrious Bang Pa-In Royal Palace. The palace complex was used as a summer dwelling by the Siamese royalty and their consorts. Opening Hours: everday from 8.30 a.m. to 16.30 p.m. Tickets sold until 15.30 p.m. Tel: 035-260144 Dress Code: Proper attire is required similar to the Grand Palace, no short skirts or short pants, no sleeveless shirts. Price Range: 100 baht, 400 baht to rent an electric golf cart .
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Bang Pa-In Royal Palace
ถนนปราสาททองSituated 60 km north of Bangkok and within easy reach of Ayutthaya is the illustrious Bang Pa-In Royal Palace. The palace complex was used as a summer dwelling by the Siamese royalty and their consorts. Opening Hours: everday from 8.30 a.m. to 16.30 p.m. Tickets sold until 15.30 p.m. Tel: 035-260144 Dress Code: Proper attire is required similar to the Grand Palace, no short skirts or short pants, no sleeveless shirts. Price Range: 100 baht, 400 baht to rent an electric golf cart .
Arts & Culture
Ayutthaya is home to Thailand’s most skilled boat builders. In the past, the city had more klongs (canals) than roads, and boats used to be the main mode of transport. This private museum belongs to Phaithun Khaomala, a renowned boat modeler and former boat builder. . Some of them are more than 100 years old. Opening Hours: 08:00 – 17:00 (by appointment only) Location: Bang Ian Road, just off Chikun Road, opposite Wat Mahathat Tel: +66 (035) 241 195 How to get there: From Rojana Road, turn right into Chikun Road and, before you reach Wat Mahathat, make another right into Bang Lan Road.
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Thai Boat Museum
8 Thanon NaresuanAyutthaya is home to Thailand’s most skilled boat builders. In the past, the city had more klongs (canals) than roads, and boats used to be the main mode of transport. This private museum belongs to Phaithun Khaomala, a renowned boat modeler and former boat builder. . Some of them are more than 100 years old. Opening Hours: 08:00 – 17:00 (by appointment only) Location: Bang Ian Road, just off Chikun Road, opposite Wat Mahathat Tel: +66 (035) 241 195 How to get there: From Rojana Road, turn right into Chikun Road and, before you reach Wat Mahathat, make another right into Bang Lan Road.
This enclosed palace complex at the confluence of the Pa Sak and Lopburi Rivers was the royal residence of King Naresuan the Great in 1577 Today, the palace is a museum with permanent exhibits on the history of the Ayutthaya Kingdom and personal artifacts of King Rama IV, who commissioned the construction of the new palace buildings. Opening Hours: 09:00 – 16:00 Location: U-Thong Road, opposite Hua Ro Market How to get there: From Naresuan Bridge (Highway 309), turn right into U-Thong Road and continue about 1km.
Chan Kasem Palace
This enclosed palace complex at the confluence of the Pa Sak and Lopburi Rivers was the royal residence of King Naresuan the Great in 1577 Today, the palace is a museum with permanent exhibits on the history of the Ayutthaya Kingdom and personal artifacts of King Rama IV, who commissioned the construction of the new palace buildings. Opening Hours: 09:00 – 16:00 Location: U-Thong Road, opposite Hua Ro Market How to get there: From Naresuan Bridge (Highway 309), turn right into U-Thong Road and continue about 1km.
Shopping
This modern shopping mall has some 400 shops housed inside its two zones. Occupying two floor spaces, the Plaza Zone offers lifestyle products, from brand name clothing to leather goods, cosmetics and fashion accessories. The Water Zone has a large grouper pond and, around it, a lineup of fast food restaurants, food court as well as an activities area for live cultural performances (on weekends and national holidays). Location: Khlong Suan Plu District, where Highway 309 meets Highway 32.
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Ayutthaya City Park
This modern shopping mall has some 400 shops housed inside its two zones. Occupying two floor spaces, the Plaza Zone offers lifestyle products, from brand name clothing to leather goods, cosmetics and fashion accessories. The Water Zone has a large grouper pond and, around it, a lineup of fast food restaurants, food court as well as an activities area for live cultural performances (on weekends and national holidays). Location: Khlong Suan Plu District, where Highway 309 meets Highway 32.
Entertainment & Activities
Faster and more flexible than river cruises in terms of sightseeing routes, a long-tail boat trip offers a fun alternative to exploring Ayutthaya’s scenic riverside. These narrow boats can navigate through the narrow khlongs (canals), reaching temples and attractions located further inland. If this sounds like a good plan, head over to Pom Phet Pier, Wat Phanunchoeng Pier or the pier in front of Chantara Kasem National Museum to charter a long-tail for the day. The fare depends on the route and duration of your journey.
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Ayutthaya Boat and Travel
45/2 Rochana RdFaster and more flexible than river cruises in terms of sightseeing routes, a long-tail boat trip offers a fun alternative to exploring Ayutthaya’s scenic riverside. These narrow boats can navigate through the narrow khlongs (canals), reaching temples and attractions located further inland. If this sounds like a good plan, head over to Pom Phet Pier, Wat Phanunchoeng Pier or the pier in front of Chantara Kasem National Museum to charter a long-tail for the day. The fare depends on the route and duration of your journey.
Another activity that’s worth considering if you are thrilled by the thoughts of exploring Ayutthaya’s temple ruins on elephant back. Opposite Khum Khun Phaen in the Ayutthaya Historical Park, Ayutthaya Elephant Camp offers elephant rides as well as daily shows and feeding from 9:00 to 17:00. Ayodhaya Elephant Village (next to Ayodhaya Floating Market) has overnight mahout training programmes, in addition to elephant riding trips to nearby temples, for those interested to get real close up and personal with a pachyderm.
Elephantstay
Another activity that’s worth considering if you are thrilled by the thoughts of exploring Ayutthaya’s temple ruins on elephant back. Opposite Khum Khun Phaen in the Ayutthaya Historical Park, Ayutthaya Elephant Camp offers elephant rides as well as daily shows and feeding from 9:00 to 17:00. Ayodhaya Elephant Village (next to Ayodhaya Floating Market) has overnight mahout training programmes, in addition to elephant riding trips to nearby temples, for those interested to get real close up and personal with a pachyderm.