Ayutthaya in One Day

This trip began in Bangkok on a Saturday morning (around nine o'clock).

The original plan was to visit several places and leave early in the morning. However, in reality, we left late (as usual) and were worried about traffic, crowds, and the possibility of only visiting a few places.

After the trip, we realized that we had visited all the places we wanted to, eaten everything we wanted to eat, and returned to the capital safely at a not-so-late hour (how did that happen?!).

This trip was not a drama-inspired itinerary (although we happened to plan it during its peak popularity). It was not a food-focused adventure. It was simply a trip for those with only one day to spare, who wanted to experience and see as much as possible in Ayutthaya.

We traveled by private car to our first stop, the Bang Pa-In Royal Palace. We arrived around 9:30 am, a perfect time as there were not many tourists or tour groups yet. The palace was stunning, and the advantage of arriving early was the ability to choose our photo angles without crowds in the background.

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Doll Bridge

The Aisawan Thiphya-Asana Royal Pavilion

Following the map we received, we initially estimated the walking distance to be nearly a kilometer. As the sun grew hotter, everyone considered renting a golf cart. However, our frugality led us to believe that we could manage the walk. Ultimately, walking proved to be the best decision. Not only did it save us money, but it also allowed us to explore every path we desired. The intricate beauty of the buildings and royal residences captivated us, and the walking distance was not as daunting as we had anticipated.

The next destination is the "Gong Gong Market".

Initially, we planned for a quick stop, assuming there wouldn't be much to see. However, upon arrival, we were captivated by the abundance of delicious food options, tempting us to visit almost every stall. The unique charm of this market lies not only in the vendors' dedication to wearing traditional Thai attire, fostering a sense of cultural preservation, but also in the authentic Thai snacks and dishes they offer. Each stall boasts captivating poems describing the virtues and allure of their offerings, further enticing customers to purchase. Visitors are encouraged not only to support the vendors but also to appreciate the poems displayed at each stall. These poems, detailing the inspiration and origin of the food, subtly enhance the perceived flavor of the dishes, reflecting the vendors' commitment to both sales and the preservation of culinary heritage.

After a hearty lunch that almost left us unable to eat again (but we still went ahead and ate, stay tuned), we continued our journey, stopping by the Japanese Village and the Portuguese Village. Both villages are located on opposite sides of the Chao Phraya River. We started at the Japanese Village, which has two buildings showcasing the history and relations between Thailand and Japan from the Ayutthaya period to the present day. There are exhibitions, video presentations, and another building displaying the history of important Japanese figures of that era, namely Yamada Nagamasa and Thao Thong Kip Ma. During our visit, we saw people wearing Thai costumes, both children and adults, which added to the authentic Thai atmosphere.

Despite having already enjoyed a satisfying meal at the bustling Kong Koong Market, we adhered to our original plan and stopped for lunch at The Summer House, one of the most popular restaurants in Ayutthaya province. Even though we arrived close to 2 pm, the restaurant was still packed with diners. The food lived up to its online reputation, with dishes disappearing so quickly that we were unable to capture them in photos.

After visiting tourist attractions outside the city, we drove into the city of Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, with our destination being "Wat Mahathat".

As the afternoon sun beat down, the crowds remained substantial, a mix of Thai and international tourists. Some donned traditional Thai attire, harmonizing with the ancient backdrop of the historical site.

We stopped to take photos at various angles, but we had to take breaks under the shade of trees periodically due to the scorching March sun. Despite the heat, the photos turned out quite well, contrasting beautifully with the backdrop of the clear blue sky.

The atmosphere inside the temple

The highlight of the trip was the Buddha head nestled within the tree roots. A sign nearby politely requested visitors to show respect by sitting down for photographs. Both Thai and international tourists seemed to comply with this request.

After braving the scorching Thai sun for an hour, we decided to find a place to rest, have a coffee, stretch our legs, and cool down in the air conditioning. We drove around following the GPS, and finally ended up at Silp-pa Cafe. The cafe has a perfect blend of modern and Thai influences. It's located in a quiet alley off the main road, and the modern building is surrounded by lush greenery. There are both air-conditioned and open-air seating areas (naturally, the air-conditioned area was the obvious choice). The cafe offers a tempting selection of sweet and savory treats, including modern twists on traditional Thai desserts, as well as a variety of Western and Thai-inspired beverages.

(And we devoured everything on the table so quickly that we forgot to take pictures again, as usual! Next time, then!)

After a hearty meal, we found ourselves at the entrance of Ayutthaya Elephant Palace & Royal Kraal, where traffic had come to a standstill. In a spontaneous decision, we decided to "stop by and try riding an elephant." And so, we found ourselves enjoying the view from high atop an elephant, despite the considerable swaying motion. :)

(At the end of the day, we caught a glimpse of a heartwarming moment between the elephant and its mahout. As they walked home, their arms intertwined, they resembled office workers heading home after a long day.)

Our ultimate destination was grilled shrimp, but along the way we were drawn to the "Krung Sri Market" sign, which was decorated with lights and chicken coops, making it look strangely stylish. We unanimously decided to "stop by" with the excuse that we would buy some silk to take home. But even after we found the silk, we continued to buy things until our hands were full, and we walked and ate all the way.

Three young children dressed as warriors pose for tourists to take photos. They seem to be quite popular.

It was half past nine when we arrived at our friend's shrimp restaurant in Ayutthaya. Although everyone was already quite full, we thought we could still manage, as missing out on the opportunity to eat grilled shrimp in Ayutthaya would be a shame. It didn't take long for all the shrimp to be devoured. The shrimp truly lived up to its reputation for being delicious.

The journey from Bangkok to Ayutthaya and back took exactly 12 hours. Although it was a short trip, it was a successful one, achieving the goals of all participants. We visited the places we wanted to see (without rushing through them) and ate the food we wanted to eat.

We may have the opportunity to visit you again, Ayutthaya.