Ayutthaya Elephant Palace & Royal Kraal
I'd skip this one. It's an elephant riding operation in the historic heart of Ayutthaya, open daily 09:00 to 17:00, and you'll see the animals carrying passengers along the roads near the ruins whether you go in or not. Feeding, photos and rides are the whole point of the place.
The reviews split hard. Some people come away happy, saying it looked clean and their partner loved it. But a long run of others describe more than twenty elephants chained in a small area, standing in direct sun through the day, with visitors climbing on and touching them. Words like catatonic come up. That's not one grumpy reviewer, it's a pattern, and it's the sort of thing you can't unsee once you've read it.
If seeing elephants matters to you on this trip, there are places in Thailand built around observation rather than rides, where nobody sits on the animal's back. That's where I'd put your baht. Ayutthaya has enough temple ruins to fill a full day without this stop, and Wat Mahathat and the historical park are right there.
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Experience hints
Pair your visit. After Ayutthaya Elephant Palace & Royal Kraal, round out your day in Ayutthaya with contrasting stops nearby.
Reviews from Google
We passed by this place on our way from the ruin to our hotel Classico. (Our tour arranged a visit to an elephant farm, but it didn't include riding, which I didn't mind.) The place looks clean and well-maintained—many elephants with passengers are roaming around the nearby street.
This is a horrible place for elephants. 20+ elephants chained and in direct sunlight ALL day long! It’s so disturbing to see guests riding and touching the elephants. The deserve respect and a much better existence than this. Thailand must do better like Indonesia has recently done!
Appalled to see tourists still engaging in this, hopefully Thailand will finally join so many others in banning this. The elephants are packed tightly, exhibiting catatonic behaviour.
A sample of visitor reviews from Google. Read all 6,915 reviews on Google.
Also Popular in Ayutthaya
Ayothaya Floating Market
A purpose-built tourist market rather than a real one, but the food is cheap and the kids will enjoy it.
Ayutthaya City Park
Air-conditioned refuge with 500-odd shops, a Lotus, a Robinson and a Sizzler, all joined up under one roof.
Sriayuthaya Lion Park
A big, clean zoo with cheap feeding stations, brilliant with kids, but the animal shows sit badly with some.
Chet Sao Noi National Park
Seven gentle tiers along a shaded stream, and really only the fourth one is worth getting wet in.
Ayutthaya Elephant Palace & Royal Kraal: Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ayutthaya Elephant Palace & Royal Kraal worth visiting?
Ayutthaya Elephant Palace & Royal Kraal holds a 3.8★ rating from 6,915 Google reviews. Reviews are mixed, so check recent visitor feedback above to see if it fits your plans.
What are the opening hours of Ayutthaya Elephant Palace & Royal Kraal?
Ayutthaya Elephant Palace & Royal Kraal is typically open 09:00-17:00 — see the full day-by-day schedule in the location info on this page. Hours can change on Thai public holidays, so check ahead for holiday visits.
When is the best time to visit Ayutthaya Elephant Palace & Royal Kraal?
The best months to visit Ayutthaya are November – February, with the most reliable weather. Crowds peak in November – February — going early in the day usually means fewer people. Months to think twice about: August – October (flooding risk).
Where is Ayutthaya Elephant Palace & Royal Kraal located?
Ayutthaya Elephant Palace & Royal Kraal is at ประตูชัย Thanon Pa Thon, Tambon Pratuchai, Amphoe Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Chang Wat Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya 13000, Thailand, in Ayutthaya. Getting around Ayutthaya: Bicycle rental (best way to see ruins); Tuk-tuks (negotiate half-day rate).
Location Info
ประตูชัย Thanon Pa Thon, Tambon Pratuchai, Amphoe Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Chang Wat Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya 13000, Thailand+66 65 009 9361www.facebook.com/elephantpalacethVisitor Information
Best time to visit
November – February
Avoid: August – October (flooding risk)
Rainy season
June – October
Avg. temperature
22°C – 38°C(72°F – 100°F)
Crowds
Peak: November – February
Getting there
Train from Bangkok Hua Lamphong (~1.5 hrs, very cheap). Minivan from Bangkok's Mo Chit (~1.5 hrs). A day trip by car from Bangkok is easy.
Getting around
- •Bicycle rental (best way to see ruins)
- •Tuk-tuks (negotiate half-day rate)
- •Motorbike rental
- •Boat tours on the river
Where to stay near Ayutthaya Elephant Palace & Royal Kraal
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Tips for Visiting Temples & Culture
Dress Modestly
Cover shoulders and knees at all temples. Carry a light scarf or sarong — some temples lend wraps, but not all. Shoes come off before entering any building with a Buddha image.
Mind Your Feet
Never point your feet at a Buddha image or a monk — it's considered deeply disrespectful. When sitting inside a temple, tuck your feet behind you or to the side.
Ask Before Photographing
Exterior photos are almost always fine, but some interior halls prohibit photography. Look for signs, and never pose irreverently with Buddha images — it's a legal offense in Thailand.
Nearby Places
Kum Khun Phaan
A replica nobleman's residence with lotus ponds and traditional architecture, offering a quiet glimpse into Ayutthaya's heritage.
Wiharn Phra Mongkhon Bophit
A giant gold-leafed bronze Buddha in a cool, hushed hall, and a welcome break from the ruins
Ayutthaya Gold Treasure Exhibition Building
A focused cultural exhibition in Ayutthaya showcasing gold treasures and artefacts from Thailand's ancient capital era.
Chao Sam Phraya National Museum
Go here before the ruins, not after: the gold from Wat Ratchaburana's crypt explains everything else.
Similar Temples & Culture Across Thailand
Wat Phra Kaew
Go at 08:30 or don't bother, the Emerald Buddha's courtyards fill up fast and stay full until closing.
Doi Suthep Temple
Go at first light, before the tour vans arrive, and the golden chedi and the whole Chiang Mai valley are yours.
The Grand Palace
Go at 08:30 sharp, cover your shoulders and legs, and give it three hours rather than one.
The Sanctuary of Truth Museum
A hand-carved wooden giant still under construction, and watching the carpenters work is half the point.
Where to stay near Ayutthaya Elephant Palace & Royal Kraal
Find hotels in Ayutthaya on the booking sites travellers trust most.
- Compare prices across sites
- Filter for free cancellation
- Secure checkout on the partner site
Compare rates on Booking.com
Largest selection
Compare rates on Expedia
Bundle & save
Compare rates on Hotels.com
Member prices
We may earn a commission from bookings made through these links — at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
Location Info
Visitor Information
Best time to visit
November – February
Avoid: August – October (flooding risk)
Rainy season
June – October
Avg. temperature
22°C – 38°C(72°F – 100°F)
Crowds
Peak: November – February
Getting there
Train from Bangkok Hua Lamphong (~1.5 hrs, very cheap). Minivan from Bangkok's Mo Chit (~1.5 hrs). A day trip by car from Bangkok is easy.
Getting around
- •Bicycle rental (best way to see ruins)
- •Tuk-tuks (negotiate half-day rate)
- •Motorbike rental
- •Boat tours on the river