Im thinking Ayyuthaya

[Nyezhov]

I have been thinking about where I want to winter this year and Ayyuthaya keeps popping into my mind.

 

Pros:

Great Visuals. I dont get tired of ruins.

Location. Hourish to Bangkok, basically 24/7. 

English. Good level of fluency

Food. Pretty decent.

Things to do. Ruins, Temples and a few markets.

Falang friendliness. Lots of tourists, even a shot at tourist coochie.

Quiet. Dead as a doornail after 11. Spooky too.

 

Cons:

Tourists.

Prices are mostly tourist oriented.

Transport. Id have to get a scooter. Im scared.

Lack of things to do.

 

I guess it boils down to accomdation. Anyone here spent a whole bunch of time there? How is the safety level on a scooter (off peak hours)? Any leads on cribs? Any thoughts?

 

 

[pgrahmm]

I like the place....My wife's family originated there & that's where she got her degree....

It's a traffic snarl a lot of the time and the malls are not inspiring + always seem to be short on parking....

I'm guessing there's little to do once the "new" wears off it's pretty hum drum.....

No english book stores or movies (at least the times I've checked).....Seems to point to a LOT trips to Bangkok for farang type stuff....

Places to eat - meh - mostly catering for Thai & Thai night life....There is a piano bar/restaurant under the Centerpoint? Hotel where the Thai couples dress nicely....Also some legit karaoke rooms at the same place....

Seems to be an "entertain the farang type place" using elephants and landmarks - with a strong Thai pulse & backbone ....

Parking is a minus there (and worse at night) if in a car....

[Nyezhov]

9 minutes ago, pgrahmm said:

Places to eat - meh - mostly catering for Thai & Thai night life

well thats what I like. Too many western restaurants make me nervous.

[pgrahmm]

1 hour ago, Nyezhov said:

well thats what I like. Too many western restaurants make me nervous.

Now you can make the natives nervous with your newly stubby shaved farang head....

The <----???? there goes the neighborhood thing.....

[Nyezhov]

6 minutes ago, pgrahmm said:

Now you can make the natives nervous with your newly stubby shaved farang head....

The <----???? there goes the neighborhood thing.....

I fit in there. Just wander around stoned staring at ruins. I may buy elephant pants. Or even better, a coolie hat,  Like these happy tourists. Stand out or what?

[grollies]

Wife's sister lives there. Bores the hell out of me. Went with the kids one year on a road trip and they were charging to get into the 'floating market'. We refused and, walking round the outside, walked through a gap between stalls and got in for free.

 

Some nice restaurants along the river but nightlife zero, mind you the in-laws are Muslim and not interested in nightlife.

[Andrew Dwyer]

Wife's sister lives there. Bores the hell out of me. Went with the kids one year on a road trip and they were charging to get into the 'floating market'. We refused and, walking round the outside, walked through a gap between stalls and got in for free.
 
Some nice restaurants along the river but nightlife zero, mind you the in-laws are Muslim and not interested in nightlife.

I live there and yes have to agree once you’ve looked at the ancient city and the ruins it’s kinda lacking in things to do.

But, it depends what you are looking for, there’s a small red light area downtown with some Japanese karaoke bars that are farang friendly ( allegedly [emoji51]) some farang/local bars with live music and plenty of local markets/ night markets .
Plenty of cultural stuff going on in the historical city area.

Close enough to Bangkok but also far enough away !!
Traffic okay, but bad on a Sunday !

Many day trippers and a lively area ( soi farang ) with plenty of guests houses and small bar/restaurants.

A couple of malls but small, plenty of the bigger DIY stores.

Floating market is okay, with usually a cultural show going on , but foreigners have to , as grollies says, sneak in to avoid the 200 baht fee.

I don’t drink so nightlife is pretty much the night markets for me.

Difficult to write a Pros/Cons list as depends what you are looking for, but :

Pros:
Historical city and temples etc.
Cultural shows etc
Air quality
Proximity to BKK
Less traffic
Some nightlife
Small number of expat residents.

Cons:
Few malls
Traffic can be bad at w/end particularly Sunday.
Small amount of nightlife
Small number of expat residents.
Tourists prices due to many day trippers.

I’ve made it my home, but as a non drinker non mongering bicycle riding gardening retiree it suits me fine.

[thaiguzzi]

As gangsters and Thai mafia families go, i have heard it is hoodlum central.

Not that that is of any of your concern...

Just sayin'......

[ballpoint]

6 hours ago, Nyezhov said:

well thats what I like. Too many western restaurants make me nervous.

In the same way that too many seafood restaurants make fish nervous.  You never know who you're eating.

 

 

[Nyezhov]

54 minutes ago, Andrew Dwyer said:

I’ve made it my home, but as a non drinker non mongering bicycle riding gardening retiree it suits me fine.

How is the bicycle or mc riding? safe? Outside the old city I mean?

[Andrew Dwyer]

How is the bicycle or mc riding? safe? Outside the old city I mean?

Plenty of low populated areas outside the city to ride.
I have a nice route that I use taking in some rice fields , some nice countryside around.

[Nyezhov]

4 minutes ago, Andrew Dwyer said:

Plenty of low populated areas outside the city to ride.
I have a nice route that I use taking in some rice fields , some nice countryside around.

See I found a few condos with Pools, most outside the old City (where I would prefer to be) but no matter how I shake it, Im gonna have to ride. Uggg.

 

Lack of nightlife doesnt bother me. Generally Im in bed after the night market, I m not a night guy, and when I feel a stirring in my loins Bangkok is 10 baht away. Plus I just dig baking and watching ruins. I love ruins. I wish I could go to Egypt.

 

I think Thai people get a bit nervous around the ruins at night

[Essex Reject]

7 minutes ago, Nyezhov said:

and what would I do in that railway station? Pick my toes and wait for a train to West Croydon?  That sounds exciting. Take another hit of the crack pipe and try again. Ayyuthaya...a city in Thailand

The only thing you will be able to do in Ayyuthaya is pick your toes.

 

Enjoy it.

[Nyezhov]

5 minutes ago, Essex Reject said:

The only thing you will be able to do in Ayyuthaya is pick your toes.

 

Enjoy it.

and why is that?

[Andrew Dwyer]

See I found a few condos with Pools, most outside the old City (where I would prefer to be) but no matter how I shake it, Im gonna have to ride. Uggg.

 

Lack of nightlife doesnt bother me. Generally Im in bed after the night market, I m not a night guy, and when I feel a stirring in my loins Bangkok is 10 baht away. Plus I just dig baking and watching ruins. I love ruins. I wish I could go to Egypt.

 

I think Thai people get a bit nervous around the ruins at night

There are a few karaokes/bars with some young females who are willing ( happy ) to accompany lonely foreigners around the Grand Market area.

 

Also, Soi Farang is the guesthouse area with a few bars/restaurants, pretty sure there’s some unaccompanied Thai ladies hanging around looking for love !! [emoji51]

 

[Oxx]

9 hours ago, Andrew Dwyer said:

Also, Soi Farang is the guesthouse area with a few bars/restaurants, pretty sure there’s some unaccompanied Thai ladies hanging around looking for love !!

 

More likely to find them in the bar area around The Grand Hotel.

[catman20]

16 hours ago, pgrahmm said:

I like the place....My wife's family originated there & that's where she got her degree....

It's a traffic snarl a lot of the time and the malls are not inspiring + always seem to be short on parking....

I'm guessing there's little to do once the "new" wears off it's pretty hum drum.....

No english book stores or movies (at least the times I've checked).....Seems to point to a LOT trips to Bangkok for farang type stuff....

Places to eat - meh - mostly catering for Thai & Thai night life....There is a piano bar/restaurant under the Centerpoint? Hotel where the Thai couples dress nicely....Also some legit karaoke rooms at the same place....

Seems to be an "entertain the farang type place" using elephants and landmarks - with a strong Thai pulse & backbone ....

Parking is a minus there (and worse at night) if in a car....

that's where she got her degree....

 

another one so so tiring ????

[Nyezhov]

9 hours ago, Andrew Dwyer said:

There are a few karaokes/bars with some young females who are willing ( happy ) to accompany lonely foreigners around the Grand Market area.

 

Also, Soi Farang is the guesthouse area with a few bars/restaurants, pretty sure there’s some unaccompanied Thai ladies hanging around looking for love !!

 

LOL dude what about getting around, food, places to stay in the old city long term. etc

 

I can find all the coochie I need anywhere in the world I have finely attuned Hodar

[1FinickyOne]

When I would drive to Bangkok, it would be an hour and more to go the last mile to my hotel after exiting the hwy... 

 

But who needs Bangkok. 

 

Try Sukhothai... much nicer historical park... 

[samsensam]

seems like a laid back place, relaxed atmosphere, ate at some good restaurants. bangkok is close if you want to visit. and if it's only for a few months a year i'd give it a go.

 

nd... there's got to be more going on there than the villages in issan where many foreigners live happily.

[Katipo]

They are building a Central in the area where Ayutthaya City Park is, so the mall situation will get better/worse depending on your point of view. Expect it to be complete end of this year early next.

 

Food prices aren't prices aren't orientated towards foreigners if you know where to go. Plenty of cheap eats, including cafes and restaurants. If you want to dine somewhere a little more up-market, Busaba, The Summer House, Jakie Cafe, and ขาวละออ offer excellent Thai, fusion, and international dining options. In summary, there are dozens of eating options, certainly enough to keep you going for many months.

 

There is a cycling and running group run by foreigners with regular events around Ayutthaya and beyond. The back roads heading in a northerly directly along the Paksi, Chao Phraya, and Lopburi rivers are quiet and very scenic. And of course the 300 temples, jedis, and stupors. There are also a good selection of gyms, indoor football teams, and more

 

You will need your own transport. There is a Vespa dealership in town, plus all the Japanese brands.

 

Soi Farang has already been mentioned. Ot's a very chilled street vibe, with 6 bars/pub/restaurants there. Some with live music. One of them, Planet Earth does excellent steaks, italian style pizzas and pastas, has a massive cocktail menu, and a good selection of craft beers. You'll find both local Thais and foreigners there, and it's a good place to meet the local expats too.

 

If you have more questions, I suggest joining the Ayutthaya Expats facebook group.

[PerkinsCuthbert]

21 hours ago, Nyezhov said:

I fit in there. Just wander around stoned staring at ruins. I may buy elephant pants. Or even better, a coolie hat,  Like these happy tourists. Stand out or what?

 

Get yourself some harem pants and biblical sandals, you'll fit in even better:

 

[Oxx]

5 hours ago, Katipo said:

They are building a Central in the area where Ayutthaya City Park is, so the mall situation will get better/worse depending on your point of view.

 

There's already a Robinson, The Sky (formerly Ampomall), and the (admittedly dire) Amporn.  Not sure that Central will add that much.

[Andrew Dwyer]

 

There's already a Robinson, The Sky (formerly Ampomall), and the (admittedly dire) Amporn.  Not sure that Central will add that much.

The Sky is struggling also and with a Central I can see it fading into obscurity !!

Amporn is definitely dated but far enough away from City Park, Sky, Big C etc that it will probably survive.

 

There is a Rabbit water park opened close to Big C which does look quite impressive, from the outside. The lead weights I had in tow were too small to take advantage so we didn’t go inside but it was the price that mainly put me off , > 700 baht for me !!

 

 

[Katipo]

2 hours ago, Oxx said:

 

There's already a Robinson, The Sky (formerly Ampomall), and the (admittedly dire) Amporn.  Not sure that Central will add that much.

Rumour has it a Tops Supermarket will accompany the Central, if that's the case, it will be a game changer for those who currently need to stock up on western foods in Rangsit or Bkk.

[FuXi12]

On 3/4/2019 at 9:53 PM, Andrew Dwyer said:

I live there and yes have to agree once you’ve looked at the ancient city and the ruins it’s kinda lacking in things to do.

But, it depends what you are looking for, there’s a small red light area downtown with some Japanese karaoke bars that are farang friendly ( allegedly ) some farang/local bars with live music and plenty of local markets/ night markets .
Plenty of cultural stuff going on in the historical city area.

Close enough to Bangkok but also far enough away !!
Traffic okay, but bad on a Sunday !

Many day trippers and a lively area ( soi farang ) with plenty of guests houses and small bar/restaurants.

A couple of malls but small, plenty of the bigger DIY stores.

Floating market is okay, with usually a cultural show going on , but foreigners have to , as grollies says, sneak in to avoid the 200 baht fee.

I don’t drink so nightlife is pretty much the night markets for me.

Difficult to write a Pros/Cons list as depends what you are looking for, but :

Pros:
Historical city and temples etc.
Cultural shows etc
Air quality
Proximity to BKK
Less traffic
Some nightlife
Small number of expat residents.

Cons:
Few malls
Traffic can be bad at w/end particularly Sunday.
Small amount of nightlife
Small number of expat residents.
Tourists prices due to many day trippers.

I’ve made it my home, but as a non drinker non mongering bicycle riding gardening retiree it suits me fine.

Now this explains almost all of it. Thanks for a broad description. It really helps. I'm also planning to go here.

[ballpoint]

13 hours ago, Nyezhov said:

LOL dude what about getting around, food, places to stay in the old city long term. etc

 

I can find all the coochie I need anywhere in the world I have finely attuned Hodar

Hodar/Honda, what's the difference?  Jump on, take a ride and watch what you're doing or you'll get hurt.

[Spaniel]

Wife and I are planning  a couple night visit to Ayuthaya.    Any recommendations for a centrally located hotel, not more then B2000 p/n that has car parking available?

[Oxx]

Krung Sri River has plenty of parking, both onsite and in a parking lot across the road (under the bridge).  This would be my first choice.  However, it may be a little more pricey than you indicate.

 

Ayothaya Hotel is bang in the centre of town, is in your price range, and has a parking lot behind.  However, I'm not a fan of the place.  Smelly pillows.  But that was 15 years ago, so they might have changed the pillows since then.

 

Ayutthaya River View is also in your price range.  I've not stayed here so can't comment on the rooms, but the restaurant is pretty good.  Parking in front of hotel.

 

 

[elgenon]

If you like spooky, you will fit in with the Thais. They love their ghosts.