To ride elephant around the city is a popular activity for foreign tourists who visit Thailand and Ayutthaya. However, not only this activity enjoyable for foreigners it is also popular among Thai tourists who are excited with the trip on an elephant’s back as well.

In Ayutthaya, there are elephant sanctuaries on and outside the city island for you to choose. The service fee depends on the distance or package you choose. For the Thais, the fee is far cheaper than the fee for foregners.

• Elephant Center (Wang Chang Lae Phaniat) is next to Khun Phaen House and opposite the City Pillar Shrine on Ayutthaya City Island. This old elephant sanctuary was established in A.D. 1997 with the support from Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and Department of Fine Arts. It is visited by a great number of foreign tourists everyday. The elephant trip from this center will allow you to enjoy the view of Ayutthaya, especially the view of Phra Ram temple with the unique gigantic pagoda. For information and reservation, please contact +66-35-211-001, +66-86-901-3981, +66-81-821-7065.

• Ayothaya Elephant Village is situated in Ayothaya Floating Market outside the city island. Apart from feeding elephants and other animals, you can take an elephant trip to see the views of archaic sites on the fields, the highlighted one of which is Maheyong Temple, which is not far from the elephant sanctuary. For information and reservation, please contact +66-35-881-678.