Ayutthaya: Family Day in Thailand’s Ancient Capital

Vol. 11 - Dec 2025

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This week we’re revisiting Ayutthaya, Thailand’s ancient capital and one of the easiest escapes from Bangkok. It’s a place that mixes history, open spaces, good food, and a very relaxed rhythm.

Enjoy this weeks List!
Ploy & Jochem ❤️

A travel story

Ayutthaya is one of those destinations that feels familiar but still interesting every time you go. We visited with Ploy’s family and started the morning by trying on traditional Thai outfits near the historical park. Moana loved her outfit, it adds a fun twist to the day and makes the walk through the temples feel even more memorable, like you’re part of history.

Our first stop was Wat Mahathat, where you find the famous ‘Buddha head wrapped in tree roots’. Seeing it in person feels so special, and the area is calm enough to wander without rushing.

From there, we explored more of the Ayutthaya Historical Park, old stupas, wide lawns, and beautiful ruins that are easy to reach by foot or tuk-tuk. The open spaces make it a comfortable visit, even with family in tow. It’s a place to day dream about the ancient times of Thai grandeur.

In the afternoon, we made a short stop at the Sriayutthaya Lion Park, which is a nice break before checking in for the evening. Moana fed the Giraffes while still wearing her tiny traditional dress, so cute!

We stayed with the family at Baan Thai House, a quiet boutique place with wooden villas in traditional style, and a very nice pool. After a warm day outside, relaxing by the water and taking a slow walk through the garden felt perfect.

After relaxing we had dinner at The Summer House, a cozy riverside spot just a few minutes from Baan Thai House. It’s open-air, and great for families. Good Thai dishes, easy seating, and a quiet view of the water that feels perfect after a full day around the ruins.

= “Ayutthaya is a nice place to visit.”

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If you liked this week’s edition, here’s how we’d spend one day wandering through Ayutthaya.

• 8:00 am : Coffee & Outfit Rental

Pick up the traditional outfits near the entrance of the historical park. Fun for photos and kids love it. This is a great place to enjoy some morning coffee with some local ‘Khanom Pan’ (fresh baked bread).

• 9:00 am : Wat Mahathat

See the Buddha head in the tree roots before the crowds and heat arrive. It’s a stunning and mysterious sight, perfect for pictures.

• 10:30 am : Explore Ayutthaya Historical Park

Walk or get a tuk-tuk for a few hours. Lots of space, easy stops, plenty to see without rushing. Get a feeling of how it was to live in ancient times.

• 12:30 pm : Boat Noodle Lunch

Try one of the riverside stalls, small bowls with noodles in a rich broth. We recommend choosing the ‘small’ bowls and order by 2 of them, for the best flavor. Keep them coming and build a ‘tower of bowls’ until you’re full. Our record is 16 bowls (with 2 people!). I know, very impressive! LOL

• 2:00 pm : Sriayutthaya Lion Park

A nice little zoo, and a visit that kids enjoy. For a nice break from the heat. Feed some Giraffes or giant fish!

• 4:00 pm : Check in at Baan Thai House

To stay in ancient moods, we recommend a stay at Baan Thai House with it’s traditinal wooden design. Swim at the gorgeous pool, relax, or walk around in the garden. It’s lovely!

• 6:30 pm : Dinner at The Summer House

Dinner at The Summer House, a relaxed riverside spot near Baan Thai House with good Thai dishes and an easy, open-air vibe that felt perfect after a full day around the ruins.

• Boat Noodles (ก๋วยเตี๋ยวเรือ) : Small, rich bowls of noodles that Ayutthaya is famous for. The broth is usually dark, savory, slightly spicy, and packed with herbs. You order a few bowls at a time because each one is small, that’s part of the fun!

• Roti Sai Mai (โรตีสายไหม) : A local sweet made of soft roti sheets that you wrap around colorful strands of spun sugar. A must-try snack when walking around Ayutthaya. Kids especially love it.

• Kuay Tiew Tom Yum (ก๋วยเตี๋ยวต้มยำ) : Noodle soup with a warm, tangy broth that’s slightly sweet in the Ayutthaya style. It usually comes with minced pork, peanuts, lime, chili, and fresh herbs.

• Wat Mahathat : Home to the famous Buddha head wrapped in tree roots. It’s one of Ayutthaya’s most iconic sights and a great first stop before exploring the rest of the historical park.

• Wat Chaiwatthanaram : One of Ayutthaya’s most photogenic temples, with tall prangs and wide open grounds.

• Riverside Boat Ride : A calm cruise along the river that passes small temples and older riverside neighborhoods. Relaxing, easy for families, and a nice break from walking.

• Ayutthaya Night Market : Local market with good Thai snacks, small bites, and an easygoing evening atmosphere. Great for wandering and trying a bit of everything.

• Bang Pa-In Palace : Beautifully kept royal residence with wide gardens, lakes, and European-influenced buildings. It’s calm, spacious, and a nice add-on stop on the way back to Bangkok.

• Ton Pho Market : Small, very local market with simple food stalls and everyday Thai snacks. Less touristy than the main floating market and great for seeing a quieter side of Ayutthaya.

• Portuguese Village Ruins : The remains of an old foreign settlement from Ayutthaya’s trading era. It’s a quick visit but an interesting peek into the city’s multicultural past.

Every week we drop new pins onto our Local Secrets Map - special spots you won’t always find in the guidebooks. Street stalls tucked down alleys, rooftop bars only locals know, temples that feel like they belong to you alone.

This map is just for Insiders, and it grows with every edition - a living guide that keeps unlocking Thailand, piece by piece.

👉 Tap the link on your smart phone or computer, and choose “Open in Google Maps” for the full interactive experience! 🌏

That’s this week’s adventure. Next week we’ll be visiting an Island that was voted ‘most beautiful island in Thailand’ (without being touristy!) 🌊☀️🏝️🐚

We hope you enjoyed this edition of The Thai List. If you did, please share the love 💕 by inviting your friends and family to join us. Each week we uncover local secrets, hidden escapes, and the best food and drinks Thailand has to offer. Don’t miss out on the journey.

Wishing you save travels,

The Thai List - Your weekly postcard from Thailand 🇹🇭