Unearthing Ancient Ayutthaya by Bike Plan a trip
Take a relaxed bicycle ride through the suburbs of Ayutthaya City and through the historical park and ruins of the old capital. Once you have been fitted with the bikes you’ll head north following the roads through idyllic villages and rice paddies until you reach a local elementary school (if open) where you can interact with pupils to gain insight into their daily lives.
Continue the ride, passing Phaniat Royal Elephant Kraal. In Ayutthaya’s heyday as Thailand’s imperial capital this structure was used to entrap wild elephants herded down from the north. The elephant round-ups in the Elephant Kraal were traditionally presided over by Ayutthaya kings who would choose the best and strongest elephants that would be trained for war and labour. Thankfully this practice is long since extinct!!
The closer you get to the old capital, the more ruins and temples you’ll see along the way. Stop for a Thai lunch at a riverside restaurant before entering the old capital to visit Wat Mahathat and Wat Pra Sri Sanphet to learn about the history of Ayutthaya, including its temples and kings. Continue with a short ride over a local market where typical local delicacies are baked, fried, sold and enjoyed.
Not far from the market you will make a stop at the huge reclining Buddha – the biggest in Ayutthaya, at Luang Phor Lokayasuttha. After taking some snaps, continue the ride to another remarkable and beautiful temple on the west riverbank of the Chao Phraya river, Wat Chai Wattanaram. This temple was constructed in 1630 by King Prasat Thong as a memorial of his mother’s residence in that area.
After this impressive temple continue your ride along the west bank of the Chao Phraya River until you reach the pier to cross the river again back to the city in time for sunset.