Ayutthaya Historical Park Place guide

Another of Thailand’s attractions, the Ayutthaya Historical Park is made up of a series of temple and palace ruins that date back to the ancient Ayutthaya Kingdom. During the more than 400 years of Ayutthaya reign, a vast number of temples were built in various styles, many of which have been restored by the Thai Fine Arts Department. 

This is one of the places of interest in Bangkok worth making the day trip for, especially since it was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  Take a trip to this historical park famous for its cultural imprint and serene atmosphere!

Points of interest

If you’re the type of tourist who loves experiencing the city but doesn’t want a strict itinerary, explore Ayutthaya by bike, with tours starting at 6:00am. In the afternoon, you can take a boat to see the city island. The watercraft makes stops at Wat Phanan Choeng, where you can view the changing of the Buddha’s robes. 

Some interesting museums in the area are the Chao Sam Phraya National Museum – Thailand’s second-largest museum – where you can enjoy and photograph antique Buddha images and religious objects made from gold and lavishly decorated in precious jewels. You can also enjoy a dose of nostalgia while visiting a museum dedicated to toys, collected for 25 years by Krirk Yoonpun.

You can check out the following experiences:

• Ayutthaya Historical Park Tour: learn about the ancient capital
• Ayutthaya and Bang Pa In Palace Cruise Tour: Cruise down the Chao Phraya river and dine on delicious Thai cuisine while taking in Bangkok’s sites
• Biking Tour of Ayutthaya: Explore this historical site by bike

Some things to take note of:

• While you’re in Ayutthaya and visiting Buddhist temples, don’t forget to “return a wai” (greeting). Practice this gesture and return it if someone gives it to you: hands together in front, and your head slightly bowed. Only monks and the king are exempted from this rule; it is considered rude not to return it.
• Bring cover ups such as a shawl or jacket, or opt to wear a long-sleeved shirt and pants.
• Plan your day trip as early as dawn, as the afternoon can get unbearably hot. You can opt to take a lunch break along a cool spot near the river and trek on after the hottest part of the day.
• Entrance fee: Free
• Operating hours: 8:30am to 6:00pm
• Toy museum operating hours: 9:00 am to 4:00 pm

How to get there:

• Visit Ayutthaya by taking a minivan from Victory Monument that travels to the Ayutthaya Park Mall. 
• To get to the toy museum, you can take a tuk-tuk. Head to Naresuan Road, go west until Chikun road, then head north, where Wat Mahathat is across the street. Go to Uthong, cross the road and head west, you’ll see it on your right, just past Khlong Tho.

4 196 Khlong Tho Rd, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya District, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya 13000, Thailand