Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
(
www.ayutthayafloatingmarket.com
;
9am-7pm; )
A touch kitsch, but popular with locals
and visitors, the floating market sells snacks, artwork and clothes. Set on wooden plat-
forms above the water, longboats (20B) offer rides through the waterways. Traditional
performances take place throughout the day. Avoid the neighbouring Ayodia Inter Market
as it has some dubious animal attractions.
The market is to the east of the old city off Th Dusit, near Wat Kudi Dao.
Foreign Quarter
One reason Ayuthaya's rulers lasted so long was that they could talk a good game. As a
result of their adroit diplomacy and tolerance towards other religions and cultures, up to
40 ethnic groups settled here. Today evidence of this remains in the Portuguese Settle-
ment,
St Joseph's Church
and a Muslim market.
The Portuguese were first to arrive in 1511, followed by the Dutch, British and Japan-
ese. Up to 2000 Portuguese traders and diplomats lived in the area and there were three
Catholic churches. A small group of Thai Catholics still lives near the site.
The Portuguese brought guns with them, and this modern weapon helped the Thais de-
feat the Burmese in 1520. As a result of this victory, the Portuguese were given land on
which to build. In 1767 the Burmese invaders burned down the settlement and it wasn't
until 1985 that a Portuguese foundation came to restore the village.
Just south of the island, the
Portuguese Settlement
displays the skeletal remains of 40 Por-
tuguese settlers in an open pit. Look for the unusual spirit house with figures of St Joseph
and St Paul. To the west of the Portuguese Settlement is a
Muslim quarter
, where an evening
market is held on Wednesdays and Saturdays. The area is picturesque and ideal for cyc-
ling. Along the way, stop at
Wat Phutthaii Sawan
to see a reclining Buddha and Khmer-style
prang
.
HISTORICAL SITE
LOCAL KNOWLEDGE
TAILOR-MADE TÚK-TÚKS
Túk-túks (pronounced
'dúk dúk';
motorised transport) in Ayuthaya are different from the classic Thai design
thanks to their strange dome-shaped fronts. Resembling Darth Vader's iconic mask, they zip around in a variety
of colours and designs. One veteran driver remembers these distinctive taxis having looked the same for more
than 50 years. It is thought they may have first been made in Japan, which could explain the samurai-like curved
front.
