Established 1981 (originally “Pae Thewarat”)
Tarn Ayutthaya
Your voyage begins here, at Tarn — our riverside home on the bank of the Pa Sak River in Ayutthaya, and the pier from which you cast off. The restaurant opened in 1981 as “Pae Thewarat,” a floating raft-house on the water, and has been cherished for decades, passed down through three generations — grandfather, father, and now son. In time the name settled simply into Tarn (ธาร), the Thai word for a stream, an ever-flowing watercourse: a fitting emblem of that unbroken family line, and of the river journey ahead. As you step aboard, look back at the timber deck and the lanterns strung beneath the woven-rattan eaves; catch the scent of Thai cooking on the breeze and a warm greeting carried across the water. Then the boat eases from the bank into the slow current of the Pa Sak, and the old capital — its temples, forts and forgotten villages — begins to drift by. Welcome to Tarn. Let the river lead the way.
Where the journey begins
Before the river carries you to the old capital, your journey begins at Tarn's own pier on the bank of the Pa Sak. This is where you step aboard — amid the quiet of a timber riverside house, with the water stretching ahead toward the island city of Ayutthaya.
The Pa Sak is one of the three rivers that ring the island, meeting the Chao Phraya at the south-eastern corner near Wat Phanan Choeng. As the boat eases from the landing, Tarn becomes both the start and the return of an unhurried loop around the old city.
From Pae Thewarat to Tarn — three generations
Tarn's story began in 1981 as “Pae Thewarat,” a floating raft-house that welcomed guests on the water for more than three decades, its warmth passed down across three generations — grandfather, father, and now son.
In time the name settled into “Tarn” (ธาร), the Thai word for an ever-flowing stream — a fitting emblem of that unbroken family line, and of the river journey about to begin.
Flavours by the water
Tarn is a riverside Thai restaurant long woven into the life of this stretch of water — the scent of cooking on the breeze, tables turned to face the river, and an easy, familiar welcome are all part of the experience, before and after your cruise.
To sit by the water, watching the boats pass and the evening light settle on the surface, is what makes the journey feel complete — Tarn is not merely a boarding point, but a riverside home waiting to receive you.
Before you sail — what awaits
As you step down to the landing, look back at the timber house and the lanterns strung beneath the woven-rattan eaves — an atmosphere more than forty years in the making — before the boat carries you into the current.
From there the old capital opens one scene at a time — temples, forts, a church, and forgotten villages drifting past your window at the river's slow pace. Welcome to Tarn; let the river lead the way.
Did you know
Did you know? Tarn began in 1981 as a floating raft-restaurant called “Pae Thewarat,” and its riverside hospitality has since been handed down across three generations.
Frequently asked questions
Where does the Mercury Cruise depart from?+
The cruise departs from Tarn restaurant on the bank of the Pa Sak River in Ayutthaya, which serves as both your pier and your welcome.
How long has Tarn been open?+
Tarn first opened in 1981 as “Pae Thewarat” and has been handed down across three generations.
What does the name “Tarn” mean?+
“Tarn” is the Thai word for an ever-flowing stream, evoking both the family's unbroken line and the river journey itself.
Can I arrive early before the cruise?+
Yes. Tarn is a riverside restaurant, so you're welcome to enjoy the Pa Sak setting before you sail; for meals and timing, our team is glad to advise.