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Bangkok
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BKK-01: City and Temples Tour:
Half Day Morning (08:30 h.-12:30 h.) or Afternoon (13:00
h. - 17:00 h.) |
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Approximately 95% of Thailand’s population is Buddhist and
they strive to achieve happiness through a combination of
good deeds, meditation and the study Buddhist philosophy.
For these reasons, thousands of wats (temples) are located
throughout the country with around 400 situated in Bangkok.
This essential tour takes you to three of Bangkok’s most
impressive wats:
Wat Trimitr (the Temple of the Golden Buddha)
– Located in Bangkok’s thriving Chinatown district, Wat
Trimitr (also called Wat Traimit) is best known as the home
of the largest known solid gold Buddha image in the world.
Standing at 15 feet tall and weighing in at approximately
5.5 tons, this 700-year old statue has an interesting
history. Originally covered in plaster to hide it from
eighteenth-century Burmese invaders, the real treasure
inside wasn't discovered until 1955 when movers accidentally
dropped it, breaking its stucco exterior. This set off a
national treasure hunt for similar masterpieces, but none
rivaling the Golden Buddha were ever found.
Wat Po (the Temple of the Reclining Buddha)
- Built in the late sixteenth-century, Wat Po is Bangkok's
oldest and Thailand's largest wat. The main feature here is
the enormous 45 meter (made of plaster and covered with gold
leaf) Buddha lying majestically on its side (which is the
position required to pass into Nirvana). The soles of the
statue’s feet are covered with mother of pearl and feature
the 108 signs in Buddhist cosmology. Wat Po is also famous
as the home of Thailand's first public university, and a
place where one can learn the ancient art of Thai
traditional massage.
Wat Benchamabophit (the Marble Temple)
- This fine example of Thai architecture (with European
neoclassical influences) is built mostly from white Carrera
marble imported from Italy. Inside, visitors will see Phra
Buddhajinaraja, a Buddha image made from 2.5 tons of bronze
that resides over the ashes of King Rama V. If time permits,
guests on this tour can see gifted Thai craftsmen create
works of art from the world famous sapphires, rubies and
emerald.
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BKK-02a: Grand Palace and Temple Tour:
Half day Morning (8:30 h.-11:30 h.) or Afternoon (13:00 h.-16:00
h.) |
The Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew (the Temple of the
Emerald Buddha)
– Together, these two sites form what many consider the
greatest spectacle for visitors to Bangkok. Dating back to
1782 (when Bangkok was founded), the entire compound
consists of over 100 brightly colored buildings, golden
spires and glittering mosaics. Because of its popularity,
this destination is often extremely crowded, but still an
essential part of any trip to Bangkok.
Presently, the Grand Palace is used for the occasional
ceremony and is no longer the royal home (the present King
Bhumibol lives in Chitralada Palace, located in Bangkok's
nearby Dusit district). The interiors of most of the
buildings in the Grand Palace are closed to the public
Wat Phra Kaew adjoins the Grand Palace in a common compound
and is the home of the country's most famous Buddha statue
(also known as the Emerald Buddha). This important figure
has a long and interesting history that is tied to the royal
family and once resided in nearby Wat Arun. It is relatively
small (about 66 centimeters) and is situated in a high
position in the Wat to signify its important status in the
Thai kingdom
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BKK-02b: Grand Palace and Temple Tour:
Half day Morning (8:30 h.-12:30 h.) or Afternoon (13:00 h.-17:00
h.) |
The Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew (the Temple of the
Emerald Buddha)
– Together, these two sites form what many consider the
greatest spectacle for visitors to Bangkok. Dating back to
1782 (when Bangkok was founded), the entire compound
consists of over 100 brightly colored buildings, golden
spires and glittering mosaics. Because of its popularity,
this destination is often extremely crowded, but still an
essential part of any trip to Bangkok.
Presently, the Grand Palace is used for the occasional
ceremony and is no longer the royal home (the present King
Bhumibol lives in Chitralada Palace, located in Bangkok's
nearby Dusit district). The interiors of most of the
buildings in the Grand Palace are closed to the public
Wat Phra Kaew adjoins the Grand Palace in a common compound
and is the home of the country's most famous Buddha statue
(also known as the Emerald Buddha). This important figure
has a long and interesting history that is tied to the royal
family and once resided in nearby Wat Arun. It is relatively
small (about 66 centimeters) and is situated in a high
position in the Wat to signify its important status in the
Thai kingdom
Wat Po (the Temple of the Reclining Buddha)
- Bangkok’s largest temple is most famous as the home of a
giant reclining Buddha statue (45 meters long), but there is
also much more to see here. Four large Chedis (and 73 small
ones) 394 Buddha statues, and a Bodhi tree are situated
throughout the compound and about 300 monks live in the
monastery.
Wat Trimitr (the Temple of the Golden Buddha)
- The most valuable statue in Thailand (constructed of 5.5
tons of solid gold) can be found at Wat Trimitr. This
seated, glittering, golden Buddha image reaches a height of
3 meters and dates back some 700 years to the Sukhothai
period. The gleaming, apparently seamless body was
ingeniously crafted in five interlocking parts with a master
key to unlock the pieces and was only discovered in 1955.
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BKK-03a: Thai Dinner & Dance:
Evenings only (19:00 h. - 22:00 h.) |
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This series of Thai cultural dance and music performances are
highlighted by delicious dinners in traditional settings at some
of Bangkok’s most popular eateries.
Piman Restaurant
– Despite its palatial appearance, Piman offers an atmosphere
that is warm, friendly, and air-conditioned. The food is
succulent and the shows inside the theatre-restaurant recall the
Sukhothai period from the 13th century (narrated in six
different languages).
Silom Village Restaurant
– The last restaurant constructed in the old Thai traditional
village style on Silom Road is housed in a compound with 15 teak
houses and 3 buildings. These houses were constructed during the
reign of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) in 1908 and converted to a
restaurant and Thai handicraft shops in 1981. The menu offers a
range of Thai food, seafood and basic favorites that appeal to
foreigners (including pizza) and guest will be entertained by
live Thai music and dance performances in the traditional style.
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BKK-04: Klong or Canals Tour:
Half day morning (8:30 h. - 12:30 h.) or afternoon (13:00 h. -
05:00 h.) |
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Travel on the picturesque Chao Phraya River (also known as the
River of the Kings) and throughout the klongs (canals) of
Thonburi situated on the West side of the river from Bangkok.
This is an excellent chance to observe and photograph the serene
family homes and temples along the waterways, all of which
helped gave the city the nickname of “Venice of the East.” A
highlight of this trip includes Wat Arun (the Temple of Dawn), a
major riverside landmark. This magnificent shrine is decorated
with ceramic pieces from top to bottom and has a pagoda, which
soars 79 meters into the sky.
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BKK-05: Samut Prakan Crocodile Farm:
Half day tour (12:30 h. - 18:00 h.) |
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Located outside of Bangkok, the Samut Prakan Crocodile Farm is
the largest facility of its kind and home to about 60,000
crocodiles. The crocodiles multiply freely in the cleverly
simulated habitat, and their skins are later used for
leatherwear. Highlights of this excursion include several shows
throughout the day where men risk life and limb to by wrestling
crocodiles with their bare hands. Besides housing the largest
crocodile in captivity (Yai who is 6 meters long and weighs
114.27 kilograms), the facility is home to many other fantastic
creatures including monkeys, tigers, hippos, bears, and
elephants.
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BKK-06: Rose Garden and Thai Village Show:
Half-day afternoon tour (12.00 h. - 17.30 h.) |
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Located about 30 kilometers outside of Bangkok, the Rose Garden
offers a little something for everyone. It features a resort
hotel with landscaped gardens, a beautiful lake, and several
Thai-style houses. A Thai Village cultural show features an
educational presentation that introduces visitors to various
aspects of Thai life (including a Buddhist monk ordination
ceremony, a wedding, folk dances, martial arts, Thai boxing
demonstrations and an opportunity to ride an elephant). Local
village handicrafts are also on display and can be bought from
various shops.
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BKK-08: Rice Barge Cruise:
Half-day tour (13.00 h. - 17.00 h.) |
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Witness rural lifestyles while embarking on a thrilling and
enjoyable ride by long-tailed speedboat throughout the klongs in
outer Bangkok and ending at a Buddhist temple. Once there,
tourists will board a converted rice barge for a comfortable and
leisurely trip through the larger canals leading back to the
river.
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BKK-09: Dinner Cruise:
Evenings only (17:30 h. - 22:00 h.) |
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trip aboard the Pearl of Siam Cruise enables visitors to get in
touch with Thai life and culture at night as they pass many
great landmarks including the Temple of the Dawn, the Grand
Palace and the many bridges banked along the beautiful Chao
Phraya River (also known at the River of the King). Inside, an
elegantly arranged universal taste buffet featuring appetizers,
a spectacular main course, and desserts awaits those who prefer
the ultimate in dining satisfaction. The entire experience is
enriched with a live music and the chance to dance the night
away on a gigantic disco floor.
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BKK-10: Floating Market & Rose Garden:
Full day tour (07:30 h.- 17:30 h.) |
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Floating Market
– Located at Ratchaburi Province, the Damnoen Saduak Floating
Market dates back to 1866 when King Rama IV ordered that a canal
32 kilometers long be dug at Damnoen Saduak to connect the Mae
Klong and Tacheen Rivers (his reason for doing so lies in the
fact that the quality of the soil on the banks of the canal is
excellent for growing many kinds of fruits and vegetables
including Malacca grape, Chinese grapefruit, mangos, bananas,
and coconuts). The Floating Market is an ideal place for
tourists to see the old style and traditional way of selling and
buying fruits, vegetables and other from small boats. Tourists
will also be able to see traditional Thai houses and the way
locals use boats in their everyday lives.
Rose Garden & The Thai Village Cultural Show
– This is an wonderful opportunity to witness the unique and
unforgettable experience of the world-renowned Thai Village
Cultural Show. Each day, over 100 performers vividly portray a
fascinating cross section of Thailand’s culture, heritage and
way of life. The 60 minute, action-packed show also is
highlighted by exciting displays of Thai marital arts, Thai
boxing and sword fighting-combat skills, some of which date back
over 600 years. Also featured are romantic and joyful rituals of
the traditional Thai wedding ceremony, the rich pageantry of
Buat Naag (the ceremony of ordination into the Buddhist monk
hood). Lively tribal dancers entertain the crowds with the
rhythmic Bamboo Dance, the graceful Fingernail Dance from the
North, the Kala Dance from the South and the joyful Yoev Dance
from the Central Plains. Additionally, elephants can be seen
working as they still do in the teak forests of Northern
Thailand.
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BKK-11: Ayutthaya By Coach:
(07:30 h.-17:00 h.)
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Located just a short drive north of Bangkok, Ayutthaya is
Thailand’s former capital (1350-1767). A trip there is an
amazing opportunity to see the surviving ruins from this once
magnificent city. Other highlights at this World Heritage Site
include the summer palace at Bang Pa-In, some of the finest
examples of ancient Thai architecture, and many other important
and well-known temples. Lunch will be provided at a local
restaurant.
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BKK-12: Ayutthaya By Cruise:
(07:30 h.-17:00 h.)
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For 417 years, Ayutthaya stood as the capital of ancient Siam.
Today, it is home to some of Thailand’s most important
historical landmarks and a virtual treasure trove of evocative
ruins that were once magnificent palaces, temples and
fortresses. Among them are Wat Monkol Bophit, Wat Srisanpetch
and Wat Panancherng, all of which feature colossal bronze
statues of Buddha. Also of interest is Bang Pa-In, the summer
home of early Chakri kings and the present home to a collection
of fine art accumulated by King Rama V. As visitors cruise back
to Bangkok along the Chao Phraya River, they will be able to
observe scenic river life while enjoying a sumptuous buffet
lunch.
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BKK-13: River Kwai and Kanchanaburi:
Full day tour (08.00 h.-17.30 h.) |
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River Kwai
- Apart from the fascinating natural geography, this region has
many major attractions affiliated with World War II. Most famous
is the Bridge over the River Kwai, which was the target of
frequent Allied bombing raids during 1945. It was rebuilt after
the war and and is still in use today. Later in the day,
take an hour and a half train ride to Tam Krasae for lunch at a
local restaurant and a tour of Tam Krasae and its viaduct. The
JEATH Museum, an enclave constructed largely as an Allied
prisoners of war camp, contains a collection of photographs from
the war. The War Cemetery is the final resting place for over
6000 prisoners of war who perished during the construction of
the “Death Railway,” (also known as Hell Fire Pass). Visitors to
Kanchanaburi will be moved as they reflect on how these
memorials have come to signify the harsh realities of war.
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BKK-15: Jim Thompson’s House:
Half day, morning (08:30 h.-12:30 h.) or afternoon (13:00
h.-17:00 h.) |
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Once home to American silk entrepreneur Jim Thompson, this
remarkable site is one of the best-preserved examples of a
traditional Thai structure in Bangkok. Part museum, Jim
Thompson’s House accommodates his vast collection of antiques
and artworks from the entire Southeast Asia region. Notable
items include priceless examples of blue and white Ming
porcelain and nineteenth-century Jataka paintings, and a
headless sixth-century Buddha figure in the garden, said to be
one of the oldest surviving statues of its kind in the world.
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BKK-16: Highlights of Bangkok:
(08.00 h. – 17.00 h.)
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The Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew (the Temple of the Emerald
Buddha)
– Together, these two sites form what many consider the greatest
spectacle for visitors to Bangkok. Dating back to 1782 (when
Bangkok was founded), the entire compound consists of over 100
brightly colored buildings, golden spires and glittering
mosaics. Because of its popularity, this destination is often
extremely crowded, but still an essential part of any trip to
Bangkok.
Presently, the Grand Palace is used for the occasional ceremony
and is no longer the royal home (the present King Bhumibol lives
in Chitralada Palace, located in Bangkok's nearby Dusit
district). The interiors of most of the buildings in the Grand
Palace are closed to the public
Wat Phra Kaew adjoins the Grand Palace in a common compound and
is the home of the country's most famous Buddha statue (also
known as the Emerald Buddha). This important figure has a long
and interesting history that is tied to the royal family and
once resided in nearby Wat Arun. It is relatively small (about
66 centimeters) and is situated in a high position in the Wat to
signify its important status in the Thai kingdom
Wat Po (the Temple of the Reclining Buddha)
- Bangkok’s largest temple is most famous as the home a giant
reclining Buddha statue (45 meters long), but there is also much
more to see here. Four large Chedis (and 73 small ones) 394
Buddha statues, and a Bodhi tree are situated throughout the
compound and about 300 monks live in the monastery.
Local lunch at SD Avenue Hotel (or similar)
– Sample tasty local cuisine at one of Bangkok’s most popular
establishments.
Thonburi Klongs:
Travel on the picturesque Chao Phraya River (also known as the
River of the Kings) and throughout the klongs (canals) of
Thonburi situated on the West side of the river from Bangkok.
This is an excellent chance to observe and photograph the serene
family homes and temples along the waterways, all of which
helped gave the city the nickname of “Venice of the East.” A
highlight of this trip includes Wat Arun (the Temple of Dawn), a
major riverside landmark. This magnificent shrine is decorated
with ceramic pieces from top to bottom and has a pagoda that
soars 79 meters into the sky. The afternoon concludes with a
visit to the Flower Market and The Golden Mount.
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BKK-17: Floating Market & River Kwai:
(07:30 h.-17:00 h.) |
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Floating Market
– Located at Ratchaburi Province, the Damnoen Saduak Floating
Market dates back to 1866 when King Rama IV ordered that a canal
32 kilometers long be dug at Damnoen Saduak to connect the Mae
Klong and Tacheen Rivers (his reason for doing so lies in the
fact that the quality of the soil on the banks of the canal is
excellent for growing many kinds of fruits and vegetables
including Malacca grape, Chinese grapefruit, mangos, bananas,
and coconuts). The Floating Market is an ideal place for
tourists to see the old style and traditional way of selling and
buying fruits, vegetables and other from small boats. Tourists
will also be able to see traditional Thai houses and the way
locals use boats in their everyday lives.
River Kwai
- Apart from the fascinating natural geography, this region has
many major attractions affiliated with World War II: The Bridge
over the River Kwai, still in use today, was the target of
frequent Allied bombing raids during 1945, and was rebuilt after
the war end. The JEATH Museum, an enclave constructed largely as
an Allied prisoners of war camp, contains a collection of
photographs. The War Cemetery is the final resting place for
over 6000 prisoners of war who perished during the construction
of the “Death Railway,” (also known as Hell Fire Pass). Visitors
to Kanchanaburi will be moved as they reflect on how these
memorials have come to signify the harsh realties of war.
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BKK-18: Floating Market:
(07:30 h.-11:30 h.) |
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Floating Market
– Located at Ratchaburi Province, the Damnoen Saduak Floating
Market dates back to 1866 when King Rama IV ordered that a canal
32 kilometers long be dug at Damnoen Saduak to connect the Mae
Klong and Tacheen Rivers (his reason for doing so lies in the
fact that the quality of the soil on the banks of the canal is
excellent for growing many kinds of fruits and vegetables
including Malacca grape, Chinese grapefruit, mangos, bananas,
and coconuts). The Floating Market is an ideal place for
tourists to see the old style and traditional way of selling and
buying fruits, vegetables and other from small boats. Tourists
will also be able to see traditional Thai houses and the way
locals use boats in their everyday lives.
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BKK-19: National Museum:
Half day, morning (08:30 h.-12:30 h.) or afternoon (13:00
h.-17:00 h.),
Except:
Monday & Tuesday |
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For those seeking an introduction to Thai art, culture and
history, the National Museum is the best place to start. Located
near the Grand Palace, the Museum’s buildings date from 1782 and
are as much a part of the display as the objects contained
within them. Popular items in the Museum include an early Buddha
image from Gandhara in India with obvious signs of influence
from classical Greek sculptures; a display of traditional
musical instruments from Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Indonesia;
and the collection of royal funerary carriages, including the
massive (and still-used) Vajayant Rajarot that requires 300 men
to pull it.
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BKK-20: Vimanmek Museum:
Half day, morning (08:30 h.-12:30 h.) or afternoon (13:00
h.-17:00 h.) |
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Often referred to as the Palace in the Clouds, Vimanmek Palace
is a three-story mansion originally built in 1868 as a
summerhouse on the island of Ko Si Chang. It was moved to Dusit
Hall in 1901 and soon became a favorite of King Rama V and was
used as the royal home from 1902 to 1906. Its doors were closed
in 1935 and remained so until Her Majesty Queen Sirikit reopened
them in 1982 to mark Bangkok’s bicentennial celebration. With
its European style, Vimanmek Palace was built according to Thai
traditions, using golden teak wood and not a single nail.
Amongst the possessions of Rama V on display are Thailand’s
first indoor bathroom and the oldest typewriter with Thai
characters, as well as various Thai ceramics, European
furniture, precious China and lovely portraits.
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BKK-21: Thai Boxing:
Evenings only (18:30 h.-21:00 h.) |
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Thai boxing (or Muay Thai) is a sport developed long ago from
combat training and has become well known throughout the world.
Foreigners who watch never cease to be amazed by the strange
rules (or lack of them) that allow the boxers to not only use
their fists for punching, but their feet and knees for kicking
or pushing, and their elbows for jabbing while striking any part
of the opponent's body. Still, the matches of today are greatly
refined (and less bloody) from those that took place years ago.
Back then, there were no gloves, the boxer's hands and arms were
bound only with knotted starched cord, and the rules were much
different. Visitors to the Kingdom should not hesitate to
witness this thrilling and unforgettable spectacle.
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