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Ayutthaya in One Day: Following King Naresuan
This trip follows the story of King Naresuan in a single day. It starts at the palace where he once lived, moves on to the field where his royal monument stands, then the Ancient Royal Palace and the temple bound up with his death, before finishing at Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon. The route loops clockwise around the city island, so there is no doubling back, and every meal is at a place close to the sights.
Itinerary
- 7:30Hua Ro Market (ตลาดหัวรอ)
Start the day with a local-style breakfast at Hua Ro Market, in the northeast corner of the city island, then walk on to Chandra Kasem Palace in just a few minutes.
- 8:301
Chandra Kasem Palace MapThe Front Palace, built around 1577, where Naresuan lived when he was crown prince. Today it is a national museum that does not open every day, so check its opening days before you go.
- 10:002
Wat Phu Khao Thong MapDrive about 15 minutes off the island to the northwest to see the chedi of Wat Phu Khao Thong and the royal monument to King Naresuan the Great standing in the middle of the field.
- 11:003
Wat Na Phra Men MapHead back to the north bank of Khlong Mueang for the temple linked to the negotiations of the White Elephant War, which also survived the burning of the city when Ayutthaya fell.
- 12:00Pranom Shredded Chicken Noodles, Tha Wasukri Branch (ก๋วยเตี๋ยวไก่ฉีก คุณประนอม สาขาท่าวาสุกรี)
Lunch is shredded-chicken noodles in tom yum broth, at a shop less than 1 km from Wat Na Phra Men (closed Mondays).
- 13:154
Ancient Royal Palace MapCross the canal back onto the city island to see the grounds of the Ancient Royal Palace, the centre of the royal court during King Naresuan's reign (1590–1605).
- 14:005
Wat Phra Si Sanphet MapWalk on to Wat Phra Si Sanphet next door to see the three bell-shaped chedis that have become the defining image of Ayutthaya.
- 14:456
Wat Worachettharam MapA short walk west brings you to the temple that the Fine Arts Department sign says King Ekathotsarot had built in dedication to his elder brother, although where the cremation actually took place is still debated.
- 15:307
Suriyothai Chedi MapA little further on is the chedi beside the Chao Phraya River commemorating Queen Suriyothai, King Naresuan's grandmother, who died on the back of a war elephant in 1548.
- 16:308
Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon MapDrive about 15–20 minutes southeast to see the great Chai Mongkhon chedi and hear the story of what happened after the elephant-duel war of 1593.
- 17:45Phae Krung Kao (แพกรุงเก่า)
Finish with grilled river prawns by the water. The restaurant is open until 20:00 (until 21:00 on Saturdays and Sundays).
Route overview and getting around
Ayutthaya's city island is about 4 km across, and the stops on this trip are both on and off the island, so it suits hiring a tuk-tuk for the day, driving yourself, or cycling for the on-island stretch only. The Ancient Royal Palace, Wat Phra Si Sanphet, Wat Worachettharam and the Queen Suriyothai Chedi are close enough together to walk from one to the next.
The recommended order starts from the northeast corner of the island, heads out to Phu Khao Thong Field in the northwest, curves back to the north bank of Khlong Mueang, and then crosses onto the island on its western side. The longest leg is from the Queen Suriyothai Chedi to Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon, a drive of about 6–7 km.
Stories worth knowing along the way
At Chandra Kasem Palace, picture the time when Naresuan came down from Phitsanulok and lived in this new palace. When King Nanda Bayin marched on the capital and laid siege to it in 1586, the Front Palace was also a key point in the defence of the city.
Wat Na Phra Men takes you further back. During the White Elephant War, King Maha Chakkraphat and King Bayinnaung negotiated at a royal pavilion near this temple, and the outcome of that war meant that the young Naresuan had to go and live in Hanthawaddy.
As for Wat Worachettharam on the island, the Fine Arts Department sign says it was built in 1605, the same year King Naresuan died. But other temples have also been proposed as the site of his cremation, namely Wat Worachet Thep Bamrung (Wat Worachet outside the island) and Wat Sop Sawan, so the sign should be read as a hypothesis. The day ends at Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon, which is tied to the story that Somdet Phra Phonnarat asked the king to pardon the army commanders and officers after the elephant-duel war.
If you have time to spare
Wat Suwan Dararam, near Phet Fortress in the southeast corner of the island, has murals of the elephant duel and is not far off the route to Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon. If you are interested in trade with foreigners, Baan Hollanda on the Chao Phraya River tells the story of the Dutch East India Company mission that reached Ayutthaya in 1604 and had an audience with King Naresuan.
Tips
- Dress modestly, covering your shoulders and knees, when entering temples and historic sites, and do not climb on chedis or on the bases of the ruins.
- The sun in Ayutthaya is strong almost all year round. Bring a hat, an umbrella and drinking water, and rest in the shade from midday to early afternoon.
- Many of the eateries on this trip close one day a week and take cash only, so carry cash and check each shop's closing day beforehand.
- If you hire a tuk-tuk for the day, agree on the route and the price clearly before setting off.
- In some years the town floods, as it did in 2025. If you are travelling in the rainy season, keep an eye on the flood situation before you go.
Frequently asked questions
How many hours do you need to follow King Naresuan's trail in Ayutthaya?
Stopping at every point on this trip takes about 10 hours, from around 7:30 to 18:30. If you are short on time, concentrate on Chandra Kasem Palace, the Ancient Royal Palace, Wat Worachettharam and Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon.
How should I get between the sights?
The stops on the island are close together, and you can cycle or walk some stretches, but Phu Khao Thong Field and Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon are off the island, so it is easier if you have your own car or hire a tuk-tuk for the day.
At which temple was King Naresuan cremated?
There is no settled answer. The Fine Arts Department sign at Wat Worachettharam on the island says King Ekathotsarot had this temple built in dedication to him, but some scholars propose Wat Worachet Thep Bamrung outside the island or Wat Sop Sawan instead. You can read the details on each temple's page.
Last updated 10 November 2026