Van or car hire recommendations?

another option is to book through a company like miki travel or thai happy tours - they do english speaking drivers with proper insurance and a/c vans. runs about 3,000 baht for ayutthaya including the driver waiting while you walk around the temple ruins. they'll also stop at that roadside boat noodle spot on the way back if you ask

for floating market i'd actually say go to bang nam phueng instead of the usual ones. it's closer to bangkok, way less touristy, and you can rent a bike there for like 20 baht. the driver can drop you at the market entrance and pick you up a few hours later no problem. just make sure you go on a weekend since it's closed weekdays

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honestly for 4 people you could also just grab a Grab or Bolt van for the day, it'll be a bit more expensive than booking direct with a driver but you get the tracking and payment via app which some people prefer. i've done Ayutthaya for around 3,500 baht that way and the driver was fine with english through the chat

if you want someone who's been around a while, try Mr. T from Taxi 168 Bangkok on facebook, he's older and speaks decent english, charges about 2,800 for a full day to either place. just message him a day before and confirm the price

for the floating market skip Damnoen Saduak if u can, the one in Amphawa is way more chill and less fake, it's only open fri-sun afternoons but the food is better and u can see fireflies at night. rates there for a longtail are around 600 baht for a group

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For 4 people, a private van is your best bet. I've used a guy named Nop (his line ID is nopdriver) for both Ayutthaya and the floating markets. He speaks enough English to explain the history at the temples and charges around 2,500-3,000 baht for a full day, which includes waiting time and fuel.

For the floating market, keep in mind the Damnoen Saduak one is the most touristy and crowded by 9am. Nop usually recommends heading out by 6am to beat the heat and the tour buses. He'll drop you right at the canal entrance and wait while you take the longtail boat.

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Krua Dok Mai Kao is solid but I've always found their som tam a bit tame on the pla ra. If you want the real funky version, try the shophouse spots along Soi Udomsuk 26, near the night market end. They pound it fresh with fermented fish that'll clear your sinuses, and it's like 60 baht. Different style from the On Nut places, more Lao-leaning.

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for som tam specifically i'd say the Isaan spots in Chatuchak are underrated, weekdays only though since the weekend crowd ruins the vibe. there's a stall near gate 2 that does tam pa with fermented bamboo shoots, super sour and funky, not something you see much in On Nut. if you're already heading north for Or Tor Kor anyway its worth the detour.

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honestly the som tam at Krua Dok Mai Kao is good but what got me hooked is their nam prik pla raa dip with the raw veggies, that funk hits way harder than the papaya does. think most people sleep on it cuz they just order the som tam and gai yang. also pro tip, go before noon on weekdays, after that teh pla ra gets milder cuz they batch it for the lunch rush

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