Hello there! We've finally made it to Episode 7… After a long hiatus, the first thought that came to mind for this trip was to go somewhere we'd never been before… And then the name "Ayutthaya" popped into our heads! So we decided… let's go eat some river prawns, explore the ancient city, and buy some Ayutthaya roti sai mai as souvenirs…


Initially, we had booked our accommodation and announced our trip online to find travel companions to share the cost of accommodation, fuel, and food. However, there was no response. So, I decided to drive to Ayutthaya alone!



At 4:00 AM on the day of our trip, we set our alarms, packed our belongings, showered, dressed, and set off for Ayutthaya! We had to wake up early because we were starting our journey from Maha Sarakham province, where we work, which is approximately 400-500 kilometers from Ayutthaya. We were truly passionate about this trip!


We arrived in Ayutthaya around 10 am. Initially, we planned to pay respects at Wat Yai Chaimongkol and Wat Phanan Choeng to bring good luck. However, the traffic was incredibly heavy! (We forgot that it was a long weekend and also the beginning of Buddhist Lent. In short, we were foolish for not checking the holiday schedule!) So, we decided to head straight to a restaurant to have some river prawns first... We were starving! The restaurant we chose was "Pa Krung Kao Restaurant," which we found through a review on Pantip.com. The restaurant is located on U Thong Road, right by the Chao Phraya River. When we arrived, we were very hungry, but since I was alone, I only ordered two dishes. I didn't want to order too much and end up wasting food! I ended up having a huge river prawn and a delicious pork leg tom yum soup, which satisfied my hunger.

Large river prawns!


After a delicious meal, we headed to our next destination for dessert, "Sala Ayutthaya." This well-known spot needs no further introduction. Let's dive right into the pictures!

This hotel is also located on U Thong Road. To get there, drive past the Pak Krung Kao restaurant towards Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Hospital. Just past the hospital, you will find the hotel. The security guard who directs traffic is excellent and provides outstanding service. I am truly impressed by the hotel's security guard.

This restaurant is also located by the river... The view is amazing... You can see the Wat Phutthaisawan temple... It's so beautiful.

We ordered a dessert that resembled young coconut custard with palm sugar on top. I can't recall the name, but it was delicious! The custard was enjoyable, although the palm sugar topping was a bit too sweet for my taste.



After resting, we headed to our accommodation for a nap. In the late afternoon, we planned to cycle around the old town to take photos. Our hotel for this trip was "Sipp," located on Chokechai Road, near Wat Mahathat. This small, charming hotel boasts beautiful rooms. We were drawn to the hotel's photos before booking, and upon arrival, we were even more impressed by its beauty. If you're planning a trip to Ayutthaya and are looking for a peaceful, small hotel near the old town, we highly recommend Sipp (we're not sponsored, haha!).


The walkway to the room exudes a distinctly Thai ambiance.

The key to the room even has a gimmick...

After waking up from an afternoon nap, we assumed (based on our own judgment) that the sun had already set. We rented bicycles from our hotel and cycled to Wat Mahathat, intending to explore the entire historical park.


The first temple we visited was "Wat Maha That", which was incredibly crowded with both local and international tourists. It was difficult to find a good angle for photos due to the sheer number of people. However, the temple's beauty was undeniable, even with some areas still under restoration.

Despite the challenges, we managed to find a good angle for taking pictures.


This section showcases the temple's signature feature: centuries-old Buddha head sculptures embedded within the tree roots.


After a short break, I felt tired, so I went to the second temple, "Wat Ratchaburana." This temple was great, with fewer people and beautiful photo opportunities. Additionally, the temple is remarkably well-preserved and aesthetically pleasing.



After visiting two temples, we felt exhausted. The scorching sun or perhaps our advancing age, or more likely a combination of both, had taken its toll. As it approached five o'clock in the afternoon, our stomachs began to rumble. We decided to cycle back to our hotel, postponing our visit to the remaining temples until the following morning.


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After returning to the hotel, we searched for a restaurant to try for dinner tonight… and then we found this restaurant… which is… "Rimsawan Nat Phob Restaurant". This restaurant is located near the Rum Distillery community, which is quite far inside. When we arrived… we ordered food because we were very hungry (a million chickens).

This is the menu for one person… I repeat, one person!! 555


After savoring this meal, I can confidently say it was truly exceptional. The sour curry with acacia omelets and shrimp deserves a perfect 10/10. The flavorful broth and generous portion of succulent shrimp left me thoroughly impressed.


After finishing our dinner, we weren't sure where to go, so we drove around the historical park. In the evening, many Ayutthaya residents come here to exercise and walk their dogs.


After completing our activities here, we returned to the hotel to rest and recharge for the next day's adventures.


On our "Day 2," we woke up early and had breakfast to fuel up before our trip and return journey. The hotel was kind enough to inform us that even though I was traveling alone and had booked a single room, I could order two dishes. So, I went ahead and ordered both of them! 5555


This is a map of the ancient city of Ayutthaya.



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After finishing our lunch, we continued our journey to the Ayutthaya Historical Park to visit the remaining temples, including the "Wat Phra Si Sanphet". Like Wat Mahathat, this temple was also undergoing restoration during our visit. This temple is distinguished by its three towering chedis, which are truly magnificent. We arrived early in the morning, when there were few visitors and the weather was not too hot. If you want to enjoy a leisurely temple visit, I recommend coming in the morning, as the afternoons can be hot and crowded.



Next, we visited "Wat Phra Ram", which is located near Wat Phra Si Sanphet. It only takes a short walk to get there. The atmosphere around the temple is quite serene, and there weren't many people around. We were able to walk around and admire the temple at our own pace.


After exploring the temple until almost eleven o'clock, we decided to head to "Wat Phanan Choeng Worawihan" next. Since we were already in Ayutthaya, it would be a shame not to pay respects to the sacred landmark of the city. This temple is famous for its large Buddha statue, Luang Pho To, which has been considered a sacred symbol of Ayutthaya since the city's founding. As it was likely a holiday, the temple was crowded, and we were unable to enter the main hall to pay respects to Luang Pho To directly. Instead, we offered our prayers from outside the building.



After paying respects to Luang Pho To, we headed to "Wat Yai Chaimongkol". This trip is truly a blessing. If you're coming from Bangkok, you'll see the temple's majestic pagoda from afar. It's said that if you come to Ayutthaya and don't visit these two temples, you haven't truly arrived. The pagoda was built during the reign of King Naresuan to commemorate his victory over Hongsawadi in Suphan Buri. Additionally, King Naresuan's palace is located behind the temple, where you can pay your respects.



This trip is over for the religious trip… Next, let's go on a food trip…

As the afternoon sun began to set, hunger pangs started to gnaw at my stomach. I had completely forgotten about my friend's request to buy the famous Ayutthaya roti, so I had to drive back to the old city. On my way, I noticed a crowded boat noodle shop along the railway tracks. Sensing that it must be something special, I decided to give it a try. The shop, called "Aun Noy's Boat Noodles," offered an incredibly delicious experience. The flavors were so good that one bowl wasn't enough; I ended up having two or three more. It was truly a delightful experience, deserving a perfect 10 out of 10 rating.


We then crossed over to the old city area and returned to U Thong Road. This time, we stopped by "Baan Khao Nom," a traditional Thai dessert shop, to buy some souvenirs. We had never seen this shop before, so we decided to try some of the desserts. We bought a variety of items, including some that we had never seen before. (This is a terrible review, but the desserts were delicious and not too sweet.)



We made a large order. Note: During our visit, the restaurant was undergoing renovations and had temporarily relocated next door. If you're in Ayutthaya, be sure to stop by.


The Sweet Highlight: Ayutthaya's Famed Roti Sai Mai

The highlight of our trip was undoubtedly the legendary Ayutthaya Roti Sai Mai, specifically from the renowned "Roti Abee Deen Pranom Saeng Arun". This establishment has garnered rave reviews for its exceptional roti, and we couldn't resist the temptation to try it ourselves.

Following the advice to avoid long queues, we ventured to their branch near the bridge leading to Suphan Buri province. Upon arrival, we were met with a sight that defied our expectations of a "shorter" line. The queue stretched far and wide, leaving us in awe. Despite the daunting crowd, we were determined to savor the famed roti.



The restaurant's highlight is its freshly made roti, which requires a significant wait time. Our wait extended to a full hour! Only those with ample free time should attempt this culinary adventure. Despite the wait, the roti lived up to its reputation, boasting a delightful combination of chewy dough and perfectly sweet cotton candy. Overall, a highly recommended experience.


Exhausted from standing in the sun for an hour to buy roti, we decided to skip sightseeing and head straight home.


For this trip, I would like to say "hello" and see you on the next trip.



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