Souvenirs and Gifts from Ayutthaya

Mobiles of small fish woven from palm leaves, a Central Thai folk craft that Ayutthaya families have long made. By tradition they hang over a baby's cradle so the child is easy to raise, and in shops for prosperity.

Where to buy: Souvenir shops around the Historical Park, Ayutthaya's floating markets and the Bang Sai Arts and Crafts Centre

Tip: The small ones survive a suitcase without losing their shape.

Hand-forged knives from Aranyik village in Nakhon Luang District, a blacksmiths' community long known for sharp, durable blades: kitchen knives, fruit-carving knives and all-purpose knives.

Where to buy: Aranyik village, Nakhon Luang District, and gift shops in town

Tip: If you are flying, knives must go in checked luggage, never in your carry-on.

Handicrafts from the royal Bang Sai Arts and Crafts Centre, such as basketry, woven textiles and woodwork, to give as keepsakes or use at home. The centre also has exhibitions to visit.

Where to buy: Bang Sai Arts and Crafts Centre, Bang Sai District

Tip: Easy to combine with Bang Pa-in Palace on the same day.

Clothes, scarves and basketry made from water hyacinth fibre by Ayutthaya community groups, turning a river weed into something useful.

Where to buy: Community groups in Phai Lom subdistrict, Phachi District, and OTOP fairs

Tip: Contact the makers before travelling out to buy at the source.

Fish traps, baskets and household items woven from bamboo by local communities; they also make good Thai-style decorations and lampshades.

Where to buy: OTOP shops, floating markets and craft fairs in Ayutthaya

Tip: Pieces that fold or nest together are the easiest to carry home.

T-shirts, postcards, fridge magnets, fans and umbrellas printed with Wat Mahathat, the Buddha head in the tree roots or the chedis of Wat Phra Si Sanphet: inexpensive keepsakes to buy by the handful.

Where to buy: Stalls in front of Wat Mahathat and Wat Phra Si Sanphet, and Ayutthaya's floating markets

Tip: Prices are often negotiable when you buy several.

The gift everyone thinks of first in Ayutthaya: thin, soft roti wrapped around fine strands of candy floss and eaten like a sweet. Plain and pandan-flavoured roti are the classics; some shops also make durian.

Where to buy: A row of roti sai mai shops on U Thong Road, in front of Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Hospital

Tip: Buy at the shop for the freshest batch, keep the candy floss sealed and away from humidity, and eat it within a few days.

A ready-wrapped take on roti sai mai: candy floss rolled in pastry into bite-sized pieces that are easy to share.

Where to buy: Sweet shops and gift shops in Ayutthaya town

Tip: Handy for sharing at the office, since nobody has to wrap their own.

Sweets made from egg yolk and syrup. Popular tradition links them to Thao Thong Kip Ma, a woman of Portuguese-Japanese descent at King Narai's court in Ayutthaya, which makes them a gift with a story that fits the old capital.

Where to buy: Town markets such as Hua Ro Market and Chao Phrom Market, and Thai sweet shops

Tip: The origin story is a tradition passed down over time, not something recorded directly in historical sources.

Handmade Chinese-style pastries filled with mung bean paste and salted egg yolk, from Khlong Suan Phlu, an old Chinese community south of the city island near Wat Phanan Choeng.

Where to buy: Khlong Suan Phlu subdistrict

Tip: Easy to combine with a visit to the great Buddha at Wat Phanan Choeng.

Packs of boat noodles with seasoning for cooking at home, for anyone who fell for Ayutthaya's riverside boat noodles.

Where to buy: Gift shops, OTOP shops and convenience stores in town

Tip: Light, long-lasting and good for long journeys.

A sweet made from puffed rice, flattened young rice, peanuts and sesame cooked with sugar; several Ayutthaya OTOP producers make it.

Where to buy: OTOP shops and gift shops in town

Tip: Small sachets are easy to carry and to share.

Ayutthaya is famous for its large river prawns, and many visitors take fresh or grilled prawns home.

Where to buy: Town markets and riverside grilled-prawn restaurants

Tip: Bring an ice box and plan to be home the same day.