Classic Ayutthaya Boat Trip

This boat tour is designed for the modal tourist who wants to explore the rivers and canals, as well temples and ruins around the city of Ayutthaya, either by long tail boat or by barge. The tour (anti-clockwise) takes you on a stretch which was once a part of the front city moat, dug for defensive purposes; follows Khlong Muang or the city canal, in former times a part of the Lopburi River, which in the Ayutthayan era encircled the city; turns at Hua Laem into the mighty Chao Phraya River or the River of Kings and finally between Wat Ratanachai at Hua Sarapha and Wat Phanan Choeng, steer up north, on a stretch of the Pa Sak River or Teak wood River, which find its source in Loei province. The total length of this boat route is 13,6 kilometers.

The Chao Phraya in Ayutthaya is a tidal river and influences the Pa Sak and Lopburi rivers. The current shifts daily, depending on the tide in the Gulf of Thailand, with an exception at the end of the rainy season, when the floodwaters overrun the tide.

Ayutthaya was a typically a Siamese water-based settlement; one of the characteristics which gave the city its UNESCO World Heritage status. Unfortunately, Ayutthaya's waterways - the ancient transport and travel facilities - are fast disappearing. Many canals became stagnant, choked with urban trash or ran dry due to silting and lack of maintenance. Many more were claimed to make way for embankments such as concrete roads. Ayutthaya, “The Venice of the East", became a far cry. Notwithstanding, a tour around the island is still a wonderful event.

Whether you go for a long tail boat or a small barge is your proper choice. Long tail boats tends to do the tour in a bit more than half an hour, while a barge does the trip in a more leisurely 1,5 to 2 hours.

Longtail boats called “Rua Hang Yao”, are a common form of water transportation used in Thailand and take their name from the long drive shaft that ends in a propeller and which is attached directly to rear of a car engine. The tail not only propels the boat but also its steering mechanism. The concept was developed in Thailand as a simple low cost means of motorizing wooden boats used in rivers, canals and seas, able maneuvering in narrow, shallow waters.

Among the oldest Thai barges is the “rua mat”, distinguished by its duckbill-shaped bow and stern. This type of dug-out boat, made of a single hardwood log, mostly iron Malabar wood, was used to transport rice and other cargo. The “rua mat” was carved out with a chisel and its size sometimes enhanced by heating the carved log over a fire or by putting smoldering rice husks in its interior. When the wood was softened, the two halves were separated to broaden the hull. The boat was initially steered by a tiller, but is now mainly driven by an engine.

Only small barges can make the full city tour as the bridges over Khlong Muang are rather low, preventing larger barges to make the complete round tour.

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

Long tail boats can be rented at the pier in front of the Chantrakasem Palace Museum near Hua Ro, just opposite Wat Monthop on Ko Loi.

Small barges are not found in quantity on Ayutthaya’s rivers, but “The Seven Seas Restaurant” near the railway station has an old roofed “rua mat” for rent. (See: http://www.ayutthaya-sevenseas.com/boat-trips.html).

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 case of emergency or accident:

Contact the Ayutthaya Tourist Police Station: (035) 241-446, (035) 242-352 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

Legend

Historical signboard in situ is marked as (*)
Entry fee required is marked as ($)
Boat dock present marked as (+)