Trails of the Foreign Communities

Our Trails of the Foreign Communities starts in Ayutthaya, the former capital of Thailand and a UNESCO Cultural World Heritage Site, with a visit to the Ayutthaya Historical Study Centre for an overview of the relationship between Ayutthaya and Europeans over the centuries.

 Afterwards visit the old Chinese area at Wat Phananchoeng, where the temple is 26 years older than Ayutthaya Kingdom itself. After that, proceed to Baan Hollanda, the Dutch settlement and its museum, before paying a visit to the Japanese village.

Lunch at Baan Kieng Nam, a local riverside restaurant.

Afternoon cycling, following the back roads to Wat Gai Tier where old ships’ anchors can be seen as evidence of our maritime trading history. Continue to Takeah Mosque, an old Mosque in the Muslim community that comes down to us from the Ayutthaya period. Afterwards we will go to visit the Portuguese Settlement and then continue to explore the Muslim villages to witness their day-to-day life and visit their cemetery for high-ranking nobles. The last stop will be Saint Joseph church and the former French community.

By 16:00 get back safe and sound and end your day with cool refreshments.