Sights and sounds of Bangkok

Scent of Tradition

An early morning visit to a Buddhist Temple to offer alms to the saffron robed monks is one of the most memorable experiences that a tourist can have in Thailand. On this tour you are picked up from your hotel and taken to the temple to watch as the alms are received in this ancient and colourful spectacle. This is a tradition that has been going on for centuries, and today you can be a part of it.

But your tour doesn't end at the temple. After saying farewell to the monks you are taken to the famous Bangkok Flower Market which is a blaze of colour and powerful scents. Walk among the shops and stalls where the early risers get the best native flora and fauna, including exotic and beautiful orchids that can be bought for a fraction of the price back home.

fr £42pp

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Lots of Wats to visit

Thailand is predominantly a Buddhist country with around 95 per cent of Thai's practicing the Theravada discipline of the faith. Therefore on the streets of Bangkok it is not unusual to see monks walking along the road and it is no surprise that Thailand has more than 26,000 Wat's (the local name for temple). You cannot leave without taking this half-day tour and visiting three of the most significant ones in Bangkok.

Renowned for their cultural values and sacredness, the first is the Wat Trimit, known as the temple of the Golden Buddha, which protects the three meter tall Buddha statue crafted from 5.5 tons of solid gold. Then as you pass through Chinatown you will see the second and oldest temple called Wat Pho also known as the temple of the reclining Buddha. Third and final stop is at the marble temple of Wat Benchamabophit.

fr £45pp

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Go green and tour the palace

The most important of all Thai monuments, the beautiful Grand Palace, has to be the one must-see item on your Bangkok agenda. The Palace was the residence of the early Chakri dynasty kings built some 210 years ago. The architecture is so stunning and breathtaking that you will need to have your camera ready at all times as you walk around.

Within the extensive palace grounds is the most sacred and important of all Thai temples, the Wat Phra Kaew, containing the most revered Buddha image in the country, the Emerald Buddha, made from one solid piece of translucent green jade. To round off the tour you call in at a local lapidary factory and showroom where you will be able to buy locally made jewellery, handicrafts and silk at competitive prices.

fr £52pp

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Make tracks to that famous bridge

Take a trip back into more recent history with a memorable day out to the River Kwai and its famous bridge. The river lies in Kanchanaburi province to the west of Bangkok, and the first part of the tour covers sightseeing in the provincial town itself, the bridge, and the allied war cemeteries, which is a moving experience.

One of the many highlights of the tour is a train ride along the death railway up to the end of the line at Nam Tok where you see a beautiful waterfall. The train slows down at the most spectacular viewpoints en route for some great photos of the stunning jungle scenery. Lunch is taken at a local restaurant, and afterwards there is also a long tail boat ride along the Kwai Noi River to enjoy.

fr £54pp

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Check out Chinatown

On this popular tour will be collected from your hotel and driven to Chinatown, where you start an interesting walk experiencing the buzzing energy of one of Bangkok's most fascinating quarters. All of life is here in the market stalls, street side restaurants and side alleys. After your morning strolling around the neighbourhood you are treated to a traditional early light lunch of Chinese Tea and Dim Sum.

There is always so much to see and do while staying in the Thai capital Bangkok, with its many temples, colourful markets, famous palaces, Buddha statues and bustling waterways. But it is well worth taking a tour or two and this visit to quirky Chinatown gives you a great chance to meet lots of street characters and will leave you with great memories and lots of super photographs.

fr £56pp

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Use your bahts to barter

There are countless lively floating markets throughout the country, many within a couple of hours of the There are countless floating markets throughout the country, many within a couple of hours’ of the capital.
The colorfully clad merchants at these lively markets paddle along congested canals in sturdy canoes laden with fresh fruit and vegetables to sell on the banks. There's lots of chatter and activity – bargaining is common, that’s all part of the fun -- but don’t expect to get the price down more than a few baht.

The most famous of the floating markets is Damnoen Saduak, about 100 kilometers southwest of the city. This buzzing market is at its best in the early morning before the crowds arrive and you will feel more in the mood to haggle before the heat of the day builds up. This tour also includes a visit to Nakorn Pathom, supposedly the largest pagoda in Southeast Asia.

fr £63pp

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Exclusive Palace Visit

On this exclusive Private Day Tour you start with a visit to Bangkok's stunning Grand Palace, exploring the grandeur and majesty of its beautiful throne halls. Here you will be able to see and marvel at the mysterious Emerald Buddha, which has been carved from a solid piece of jade, and is by far the most revered Buddha image in the whole of Thailand.

Then you continue to Wat Po, home to a colossal reclining Buddha and a traditional massage school. The temple garden contains a Bodhi tree which is said to have grown from a cutting of an original tree in India under which the Lord Buddha sat while awaiting enlightenment. This private tour is a great way to appreciate two of the best sights in the Thai capital city.

fr £69pp

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ENJOY A LATE MEAL

On this special private food tour you get to experience the fun of riding around Bangkok in a Tuk Tuk discovering the city's magical atmosphere at night. You get to visit some of the famous local eateries and sample the street foods, one of the local favourites being Khao Man Gai (chicken and rice) or a hearty helping of the best Pad Thai (fried rice noodles).

You will also be taken behind the scenes in some of the restaurants to see how the these local dishes are prepared. As well as the good food, you will also be taken to explore the amazing flower market with its vivid colours and wonderful scents. The market really comes alive after dark and you gain a unique night-time perspective of Bangkok seeing the temple spires glistening in the neon lights on the way back to your hotel.

fr £76pp

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ORIENTAL MASTERPIECES

On this private half day tour you are collected from your hotel in the morning and taken first to the stunning Royal Grand Palace, with its collection of pavilions, gilded chedis and golden spires that can only be described as an Oriental masterpiece. Inside the Royal Chapel you see the famous Emerald Buddha, which has been carved from a solid piece of jade.

Then experience a trip along the bustling river and the quiet Klongs (canals) in a long tail boat enjoying scenes of life by the water. On this tour you see a more traditional way of living, away from all the high-rise and modern buildings of Bangkok City Centre, as you gently pass Thonburi residential areas. A stop will be made at the Royal Barge Museum before you are taken back to your hotel in time for lunch.

fr £94pp

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Rice and easy does it!

This fun tour is the perfect lazy afternoon introduction to Bangkok. A traditional long tail boat ride takes you along the small colourful canals on the Thonburi side of the river where local life exists as it has for centuries. See the families preparing their meals, washing their clothes and exchange smiles with the children as they play along the waters edge

Later leave your long tail boat and hop aboard another traditional vessel, a converted rice barge 'Wan Fah' for another leisurely cruise back down the river while enjoying soft drinks and plenty of local fruit. During this part of the trip you will have a grandstand view of some of Bangkok’s most famous sites - the Wat Arun (the ornate Temple of Dawn), the Grand Palace and the Royal Barges.

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Water, water everywhere

While staying in Bangkok there is no better way to get a real flavour for the city than by taking an Ayutthaya Day Cruise on board the Grand Pearl. You are picked up early from your hotel and taken to join your vessel for a memorable trip along the 'River of Kings' seeing the floating markets and witnessing life along the banks.

This day cruise around the waterways of the city is one of the most popular tours run by Ayutthaya and you will see all the famous sights of Bangkok from the comfort of your boat. As you pass the floating markets you will see the women in their colourful outfits bartering for goods as they have for centuries. The company also has a fantastic range of other trips at competitive prices including a popular sunset cruise.

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Let the train take the strain

Meet your tour guide in the morning and travel to Bangkok’s Hualamphong Train Station to board your morning train to Ayutthaya enjoying scenic views along the way. On arrival hop onto a 'Kermit' Tuk Tuk (a special type of motorised Tuk Tuk) to discover the magnificent ruins and ancient temples in the historical park. Stop near the Muslim quarter and sample one of the delights of Ayutthaya – candy floss roti.

Then visit some local houses to see how handicrafts are produced. You will then be taken to the market for lunch and your guide can give you recommendations on which local delicacies to try. After lunch, enjoy a leisurely long-tailed boat ride to Bang Pa In summer palace and explore the majestic royal mansions and one of the area's most distinctive Buddhist temples before taking the train back to Bangkok.

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TICKLE THOSE TASTY BUDS

After a light breakfast at your hotel, meet up with your guide in the morning who will take you to Samyan Market for a Thai fresh market experience. As you stroll through the market, meet locals on their morning shopping jaunts, learn about the ingredients used in Thai cooking and sample some tropical fruits. Then continue to the Nanglerng Food Market, one of the most important markets in the city 100 years ago.

Back then, the market was a major trade centre for all the various communities living in the city. It now offers a lot of historical insights in terms of both the food and the architecture - you will see a lot of old-style wooden shop houses in the neighborhood and be able to taste local sweets and delicacies. Then a short ride takes you to a small but famous local restaurant near Bangkok City Hall to enjoy an authentic Thai lunch.

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Banter and Buddhas

On this fun tour you get to explore a bustling and colourful local market and a temple that hides a huge surprise. You are picked up from your hotel and begin with a visit to the quaint market of Boran Bang Pli, where a wide range of fresh fruits and vegetables are on display. This traditional Thai market has an array of interesting stalls and you can enjoy talking to the traders.

After you bartering and banter, you leave the market and are taken to visit Wat Bang Phi Yai Klang, which is on the northern bank of the Khlong Samrong. This magnificent temple houses one of the most impressive statues in the city - the huge reclining Buddha image known as Somdet Phra Sakayamuni Si Sumet Bophit . . . which is almost as long as its name.

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Romance is in the fare!

Experience a romantic Bangkok evening in style on the luxury Loy Nava rice barge cruise that has been converted into one of Bangkok's finest dining venues. While cruising along the Chao Phraya River you will pass all the glittering sights, from the stunning Temple of Dawn, the illuminated Grand Palace, magnificent temples, striking bridges and other Bangkok landmarks.

This great cruise offers a perfectly relaxing night time experience in Bangkok that you will never forget and makes a great beginning or end to any holiday in the capital. On board, while the boat drifts slowly along the river, you will enjoy a sumptuous dinner and entertainment from traditional Thai dancers making it a real evening to remember.

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Don't ask Kwai, just go

One must tour to take while visiting Thailand is to the famous Bridge over the River Kwai. You begin by travelling to the town of Kanchanaburi to see the bridge and the infamous ‘Death Railway.’ You will visit the Thailand-Burma Railway Museum and the moving and beautifully tended War Cemetery

Then continue by road to Pakseng for lunch at a traditional restaurant, before boarding the train for a thrilling ride across wooden viaducts towards the border with Burma. The train ride provides even more fantastic scenery along the Kwai River and during this memorable day you will learn all about the lives of the Allied POWs who suffered so terribly at the hands of the Japanese in the Second World War.

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Smooth as silk!

This tour begins with a visit to the Jim Thompson House. Located along a canal in the city centre, this beautiful teak mansion was the former residence of Jim Thompson, the charismatic American silk merchant. Made up of several traditional teak buildings amid a leafy compound, Thompson spent years filling it with priceless antiques before his mysterious disappearance in 1967.

You take a tour through the house where you learn more about the man himself, his involvement in the silk trade as well as facts about Thai culture and tradition. After the tour, cross the canal to Baan Krua, a Cham Muslim village whose artisans used to weave for Jim Thompson. Today, some of the original weaving families still remain and welcome visitors to learn about their history and traditions.

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