Lonely Planet India - August 2016

MaP:

diPti chalke

eAsy trIP s ayutthaya thailand

DAY-TRIP

spend a half day at the Bang Pa-In

Royal Palace the summer residence

of the royal family (00-66-3526-1548;

Tambon Bang Len Amphoe Bang Pa-In;

8am – 3.30pm; ` 190; self-drive carts:

` 770/ 60 mins ` 95 per hour thereafter).

classical music wafts through speakers

placed across grassy lawns and at

every corner you’ll spot a curious mix

of structures that are not only thai but

also chinese and – largely – european.

a more recent addition to ayutthaya’s

fabric they are a testimony to the city’s

bygone cosmopolitan flavour.

FACT ShEET

GettinG there

Closest metro: Bangkok (80km)

Closest airport: Suvarnabhumi Airport (90km)

thai airways Jet airways bangkok airways

and air india fly non-stop to bangkok

from Mumbai and new delhi (return fares

from ` 18000). Many companies operate

vans from victory Monument in bangkok

to ayutthaya (every 20 to 30 mins; 6am – 6pm;

` 115/ person).

GettinG around

bicycles can be rented from Chao Phrom Market

and around the railway station (` 60 – ` 115/ day).

a tuk-tuk ride in town will cost you about ` 60

to ` 100 and if rented for an hour it’ll be about

` 400. negotiate before getting in.

WhERE To STaY

Baan Thai house: t his resort

has 12 villas built in the thai style –

both modern and traditional – nestled

amid tropical landscapes. opt for the

historic teakwood villas which come with

spacious verandahs (00-66-35-259-760;

http://www.baanthaihouse.com baanthaihouse

@gmail.com; 119/ 19 Moo 4 Moo Baan

Sri Krung Villa Pai Ling; from ` 4250).

Iudia on the River: this property

faces the ayutthaya historical Park

and features river-view suites standard

and deluxe rooms with a view of the

ruins. Guests can also enquire about

the in-house cultural programmes

which include buddhist meditation

yoga siamese history and music

(00-66-35-323-208; http://www.iudia.com

[email protected]; 11-12 Moo 4 U Thong Rd

Pratu Chai; from ` 4800).

Sala Ayutthaya: t his luxury option

is located on the banks of the chao Phraya

river and the river-facing rooms offer

a stunning view of the Wat Phutthaisawan

a temple across the river (00-66-35-

242-58 8 ; http://www.salaayutthaya.com

[email protected]; 9/ 2 Moo 4

U Thong Rd Pratu Chai; from ` 9700

with breakfast and wi-fi).

WhaT To EaT

as far as riverside dining

options in ayutthaya go Bann Kun Pra

is a great option at which to sit and watch.

the menu features many seafood dishes.

try the various versions of the giant

freshwater prawn a local delicacy

(00-66-35-241-978; http://www.bannkunpra.

com; 48 Moo 3 U Thong Rd; 10am – 10pm;

from ` 190). l ocated ideally for a visit

after seeing the illuminated ruins

the Bang Lan Night Market has a good

mix of stalls. you’ll find great muu ping

(grilled pork skewers) khao mok gai

(thai Muslim-style biryani) and massaman

curry here among other local eats

(Bang Lan Rd; 5pm – 10pm; from ` 20;

closed Fri). Sala Ayutthaya’s menu

features local favourites and international

cuisine. try the thai omelette with blue

crab which comes with fragrant

Baan Thai House

Wat Chai

Wattanaram

Bann Kun Pra

Phra Nakhon

Si Ayutthaya

Bang Lan Night Market

Wat Maha That

Wat

Lokkayasutharam

BANGKOK

Sala Ayutthaya

Iudia On the River

Ayutthaya

Thailand

GOOD TO KNOW

Ý Visa: i ndian nationals are eligible

for a visa on arrival valid for upto

15 days (` 1925 or 1000 Baht).

Ý Currency: 1 thai baht (THB) = ` 1.9

Ý Embassy of India Bangkok:

http://www.indianembassy.in.th

Ý When visiting temples it’s important

to wear clothes that cover your

shoulders belly and thighs.

Ý While you may talk to monks

at the temples bear in mind that

women are not allowed to touch them.

jasmine rice and stir-fried morning glory

on the side at this scenic riverfront

restaurant (see Where to Stay; 7am – 10pm;

from ` 350).

ShoPPiNG

Woven fish mobiles made

of palm leaves called pla tapian bai laan

are worth picking up from ayutthaya.

visit Pha Thong a tiny 21-year-old

shop on roti street to buy some

(U Thong Rd; 9am – 5pm; from ` 40).

SaFETY

ayutthaya is fairly safe but like most

cities it does suffer from its share

of troubles. needless to say lock

your passport and valuables in your

hotel safe and don’t carry more cash

on your person than needed.

CLEaN Loo GUiDE

there aren’t too many clean loos

around even at the historical attractions.

to be safe use the loo at your hotel

before heading out.

MEDiCaL aiD

Ayutthaya hospital is well

equipped to handle medical emergencies

(00-66-35-241-888; U Thong Rd).

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