Ayutthaya Planetarium Building

Rating: 4/5 (4 votes)

Open Days: Tuesday - Sunday (Closed on Monday and Public Holidays)

Opening Hours: 08:00 – 16:30

 

Ayutthaya Planetarium Building (Behind the Ayutthaya Historical Study Centre) in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya is a genuinely smart answer for anyone looking for “things to do in Ayutthaya” that delivers both knowledge and enjoyment at the same time. This is not a place you simply walk past or stop at for a quick photo. It is an experience that takes you under a dome of sky and gradually explains the universe in plain language that most people can follow—from the solar system and constellations to star tales, basic stargazing, and natural phenomena we see in real life but rarely get explained in a clear, memorable way. Visiting here feels like adding another dimension to an Ayutthaya trip, shifting from “walking through history” to “looking up at the sky and understanding the world” a little more.

 

The planetarium is located behind the Ayutthaya Historical Study Centre in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya District, which makes it easy to reach and easy to connect with the main sightseeing areas. The advantage of this setting is how smoothly you can plan your day. You might start the morning with museum-style learning, then catch the 11:00 show, or explore temples and cafes first and lock in the 14:00 show as your highlight of the day. Having clearly scheduled showtimes helps you plan without losing momentum and gives you a stronger sense of control compared with wandering without a fixed anchor.

 

What makes this planetarium appealing is the breadth of topics and the approachable way they are presented. The program often revolves around themes people actually want to understand: the solar system, which makes the relationships between the Sun, planets, and orbits feel logical; constellations, which help explain why people in the past used stars as a kind of map; star tales that keep “knowledge” from feeling too rigid for children or first-time learners; and basic stargazing that shows you what to look for if you want to begin observing the night sky in a practical way. It also includes natural phenomena you may have heard about in the news or encountered before, such as meteor showers, solar eclipses, and lunar eclipses—all made easier to grasp in a dome setting even if you have no prior astronomy background.

 

There are two shows each day: 11:00 – 11:45 and 14:00 – 14:45. This works well for both early starters and travelers who prefer a flexible day. If you like to begin sightseeing in the morning, it is a good idea to arrive before the 11:00 show so you have time to look around, handle tickets, and take your seat without rushing. If you prefer to visit temples and cafes first, aiming for the 14:00 show gives you a relaxed morning and midday, then lets you finish the afternoon with a knowledge-focused highlight. Many visitors also feel it “refreshes” the day because it is indoors and provides a break from Ayutthaya’s heat.

 

In terms of open days, it generally operates Tuesday through Sunday and is closed on Mondays as well as public holidays. So if you are planning to visit on a Monday or during a long holiday period, it is best to call ahead to confirm. There is also an option for large groups: information indicates that groups of 30 people or more can request a special showtime, which suits schools, clubs, or organizations that want an educational activity without the hassle of waiting for the regular sessions.

 

Ticket prices are another reason this place feels “worth it without overthinking.” The admission fee is child 10 THB and adult 20 THB. When you consider the 45-minute dome experience, it is a low-cost activity that delivers both entertainment and learning. It fits families looking for something meaningful to do together, students who want a change of learning atmosphere, and working adults who want a knowledge boost without spending an entire day.

 

If you ask who this is most suitable for, the answer is anyone who wants another side of Ayutthaya beyond temples and ancient ruins. You do not have to be a science person to enjoy stargazing content. This kind of experience can bring back curiosity. Children tend to enjoy the visuals and stories, adults enjoy connecting vague ideas into real understanding, and general travelers appreciate how it adds variety to an Ayutthaya itinerary without requiring nonstop time under the sun.

 

A small note before you go inside: the dome is usually kept dark so the projection is clear, so it helps to keep voices at an appropriate level to avoid disturbing others. If you are bringing young children, it is good to prepare them for a dark room and a seated show that runs for about 45 minutes. On busier days, arriving a little early can help you choose a comfortable seat and avoid a rushed entry.

 

Getting There The planetarium is behind the Ayutthaya Historical Study Centre. If you drive from Bangkok, you can generally take Highway 32 (the Asia Road) toward Ayutthaya city, then set your map to “Ayutthaya Historical Study Centre.” After arriving, walk to the back of the building to find the planetarium. Driving is convenient because it makes it easy to continue your trip—to temples on Ayutthaya Island, riverside cafes, museums, or markets nearby—without relying on multiple transfers by public transport.

 

If you do not drive, you can take a train or van to Ayutthaya and then continue by taxi, local hired transport, or a ride-hailing app to the Historical Study Centre. This is a good option for travelers planning a “one day, many stops” itinerary. You can begin around the station or the island area, then anchor your plan around the 11:00 or 14:00 showtime so you do not lose your rhythm or miss the session you want.

 

If you want to plan like a pro, use the showtime as your main anchor and then build other places around it. For example, you can visit a nearby cafe or short stops before the 11:00 show, then have lunch and explore temples in the afternoon. Or you can do temples and lunch first, then finish the afternoon with the 14:00 show, which works like an indoor rest break that helps you keep energy for the evening without feeling drained.

 

Finally, if you are looking for an Ayutthaya attraction that may not be as widely talked about as the most famous temples, yet offers a worthwhile and genuinely different experience, this planetarium is a strong choice. It helps make an Ayutthaya trip more than just looking back at history—it also invites you to look up at the sky and return to your day with a fresh way of thinking.

 

 

A: There are 2 shows per day: 11:00 – 11:45 and 14:00 – 14:45. It is recommended to arrive a little early so you can prepare without rushing.

 

A: It generally operates Tuesday through Sunday and is closed on Mondays as well as public holidays. If you plan to visit during long holiday periods, it is best to call ahead to confirm.

 

A: Child: 10 THB, Adult: 20 THB.

 

A: It helps to tell children in advance that the dome will be dark and the show lasts about 45 minutes. If a child is sensitive to darkness or loud sound, choose seating that allows easy movement and aim to enter the show without rushing.

 

A: Call 035-322076-9 ext. 5011 to ask about showtimes, special holiday closures, or group-visit arrangements before you travel.