Ayutthaya - City Island Bicycle Track I (The Somdet Phra Sri Nakharin Park Loop)

This bicycle tour has been designed to present the most important sites within Somdet Phra Sri Nakharin Park, which is a surprisingly “unseen” extension of the Ayutthaya Historical Park. This off-the-beaten-track bike route includes territory designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, as well as a few architectural gems along the way. This historic park is situated near the Siriyalai Palace, a modern residence used by Royal family members.

Somdet Phra Sri Nakharin Park was set up in honor of the late H.R.H Princess Sri Nagarindra Borommaracha Chonani, the mother of HM King Bhumibol Adulyadey (Rama IX). She was a very beloved woman all over Thailand. The Moken sea nomads in the southern Thai islands still refer to her fondly as Somdet Ya, roughly Royal Grandmother, while Northern hill tribe people called her Mae Fa Luang (Royal Mother of the Sky). She has also been fondly remembered as Princess Mother. She died on 18 July 1995 at the age of 95, and her funeral took place on 10 March 1996. A commemoration monument is set up in the middle of this park. The lush area also contains numerous historical ruins of significant beauty.

This bike trek features Khlong Tho (also known as Khlong Chakrai Yai) as a reoccurring reference point. This canal was a "khlong chuam maenam" - a dug waterway linking two rivers. The canal was important as it was the primary source of water for the Royal Palace area. It was also a connecting waterway and shortcut between Wat Choeng Tha, in which vicinity the royal barges were stationed, and Wat Phutthaisawan in the south.

The tour will take 5-6 hours depending on the time spent at each location point. A few highlights on this itinerary have been listed more for the sake of smoother navigation, although they, too, may appeal to many cyclists as points of interest. Individuals can choose where to stop according to their own tastes and time constraints. Also, note that this bike route could be easily linked to the Ayutthaya Historic Park bike tour (see Route 9 on this website).

If you are interested in viewing photographs of the temples in advance or would like additional historic information about these ruins, visit our website at www.ayutthaya-history.com.

Tips and Warnings

Bicycles can be rented in different locations on Soi 2 Naresuan Rd, which is the starting point of this tour. Bike rental costs 40-50 Baht (about $1.5-2) per day on average, which makes bike touring an inexpensive way to see the city. Ayutthaya’s terrain is mostly flat and easy to ride, but many streets and side roads are poorly marked, so use the map to simplify navigation.

Be cautious as traffic in and around Ayutthaya is sometimes chaotic and dangerous. Motor vehicles often fail to see cyclists and pedestrians, so you must closely watch out for them. Motorcycles are a particularly hazardous cause of local accidents. Dogs and potholes can also be dangerous, especially in remote areas. Weather can be very hot, so make sure to drink plenty of fluids and wear sun block. It is inadvisable to drive at night due to the lack of lighting and occasional recklessness of motor traffic.

The theft of bicycles is uncommon in Ayutthaya, but backpacks and cameras have been stolen on rare occasions. It is best to keep valuables with you when visiting the historic sites on route.

Who are we?

Ayutthaya Historical Research [AHR] consists of a small group of researchers/writers with the aim to promote Ayutthaya’s cultural heritage. We are local expatriates who have been living in Ayutthaya for many years and would like to share our knowledge with future visitors. Therefore, we have personally tested each of these suggested routes by cycling and/or walking. More information on the authors can be found at: http://www.ayutthaya-history.com/Authors.html

In emergency or accident:

Contact the Ayutthaya Tourist Police Station: 035/241446, 035/242352 or 1155.

Disclaimer

AHR will not be held liable for any loss or damage whatsoever for any suggestions made in relation to the site’s promotion of ecotourism. It is the responsibility of the user of the site to take the necessary precautions to avoid any physical injury, traffic incident, animal attack, theft, and damage to equipment. Any reliance on the site’s information is therefore strictly at your own risk. Read our full disclaimer at website www.ayutthaya-history.com.

POI Markings:

Historical signboard in situ is marked as (*)
Entry fee required is marked as ($)

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