The gold treasure room
Second building
The gold from the crypt of Wat Ratchaburana: a royal crown, a sword, jewellery, a gold elephant and small Buddha images.
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Ayutthaya, Thailand
Chao Sam Phraya National Museum
Gold regalia, Buddha images and treasures from the crypts of Ayutthaya's temples, in the city's main museum.
Favourite places
Relics of Wat Mahathat
Main building
The relic casket found under the prang of Wat Mahathat — a set of miniature stupas nested one inside the other.
Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)Buddha images
Main hall
Bronze and stone Buddha images in the U Thong and Ayutthaya styles, plus carved wooden temple doors and architectural pieces from the ruins.
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Historical places
Ayutthaya Historical Study Centre
Rotchana Road, near the museum
A research centre and museum with models and displays on daily life, trade and the royal court of old Ayutthaya — good context before visiting the ruins.
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Local food
Boat noodles (kuay teow reua)
Ayutthaya, Thailand
Small bowls of rich, dark noodle soup with pork or beef, once sold from boats on the canals. Ayutthaya is known for them, and people usually order several bowls each.
Roti sai mai
Ayutthaya, Thailand
Ayutthaya's signature sweet: thin, soft roti wrappers rolled around fine threads of coloured spun sugar. Sold in bags from stalls on U Thong Road and around town to take home.
Where to eat
Bang Lan night market
Bang Lan Road, middle of the island
An evening food market near the main temples with grilled meats, noodles, Thai desserts and fruit. An easy place to try several local dishes after a day of ruins.
Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)Riverside restaurants on U Thong Road
Around the edge of the island
U Thong Road follows the rivers around the island, and several open-air restaurants along it serve river prawns and Thai dishes with water views.
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Where to stay
The old island (around Naresuan Road)
Ayutthaya, Thailand
Stay inside the ring of rivers and you can cycle to the main ruins in minutes. Guesthouses and small hotels cluster near the Historical Park and the night market.
Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)Riverside near the railway station
Ayutthaya, Thailand
Across the Pa Sak River from the island, close to the trains from Bangkok. Riverside guesthouses here are a short ferry or bridge ride from the old town.
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Culture
Many objects here are sacred relics as well as art. Behave as you would in a temple — speak quietly, and check the signs before taking photos.
History
Opened in 1961, the museum was funded partly by the sale of votive tablets found at Wat Ratchaburana. Its gold collection — crowns, swords, jewellery and small Buddha images — is the highlight.
Tour plans
Museums and ruins
1 dayStep 1: Wat Mahathat & Wat Ratchaburana
See the ruins where the treasures were found.
Step 2: Chao Sam Phraya National Museum
The gold collection in the midday heat.
Step 3: Historical Study Centre
Models of the old city and its trade.
Step 4: Evening
Dinner at the night market.
Map
Travel information
Best time to visit
Any time of year; plan it for late morning or midday, when it is too hot to be out among the ruins.
How to get there
On Rotchana Road, a short ride from the Historical Park.
Getting around
The museum is on Rotchana Road near the Historical Park, easy to reach by bicycle or tuk-tuk from the main temples. Galleries are spread across several buildings in the grounds, all on foot.
Travel tips
A good stop in the midday heat. Closed on some public holidays.