Sights and sounds of Thailand

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.

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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.

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HEAD FOR THE HILLS

On this fascinating tour you are picked up from your hotel in the morning and driven out of Chiang Rai to the Mae Chan district. Then you continue uphill to visit simple Akha and Yao hill tribe villages. The Akha originated in Tibet, and the Yao originated in China, and today are still heavily influenced by Chinese traditions. Spend time with these colourful people and learn all about their way of life.

While in the villages you will experience ancient Thai culture with your Akha and Yao tribesman. You will see how these ethnic minorities continue to live their different ways of life in modern times. As these people are known for their distinct handicrafts and tribal textiles, this tour is also a good time to pick up some special gifts to take home.

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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.

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SPEED OFF TO PARADISE

You can explore the world famous Phi Phi Lei and Phi Phi Don Islands during this trip by speedboat. Relax at stunning Maya Bay where the movie The Beach, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, was filmed and discover Loh Samah, one of the most beautiful beaches in the whole of Thailand. You also explore the Viking Caves and marvel at the emerald green crystal clear waters and the sheer limestone cliffs.

Bamboo Island is an absolute must on this trip and you’ll be amazed by the variety of tropical fish and multi-coloured corals. There's plenty of time to relax on these islands and soak up the tropical sun, swim and snorkel and explore. This popular trip is great for a family outing and there is nothing quite like visiting these beautiful islands James Bond style on a sleek speedboat.

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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.

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PICTURE POSTCARD PERFECTION

For both an exciting and relaxing tour when on holiday in Thailand, they don't come much better than this. You take a speedboat across the sea for a day of swimming, snorkeling and relaxing soaking up the sunshine at Koh Tao and Koh Nang Yuan where you will find crystal clear waters and see colourful corals. Lunch will be at a local restaurant on Koh Tao.

As well as seeing the exotic marine life and coral around Koh Tao, today you will also experience the beautiful tiny island of Koh Nang Yuan which is made up of three little teardrops of land connected by a massive sandbar. It's a place where picture postcard dreams are made because of its unique topography, blindingly white sand beaches and shores teeming with fish.

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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.

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Soak up the beauty at Khao Sok

You are picked up early in the morning from your hotel and will be accompanied by a guide who will take care of your tour program and provide you with information throughout the day. Head north crossing the Sarasin Bridge into Phang Nga Province, on to the Thai mainland and take a short break at Khao Lak view point, to see where the 2004 tsunami struck and visit the memorial to those who died.

Then you move on to the evergreen forest of Khao Sok National Park for a memorable short elephant trek as you are led through this stunning rain forest to see and experience the jungles biodiversity. Then it's on to Khao Sok view point for spectacular vistas over the mountains. Enjoy lunch then begin your canoe adventure. Sit back and relax as local paddlers do all the work as you float along the Khao Sok River.

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TAKE A BIKE INSTEAD OF A HIKE

When holidaying in Thailand it is tempting to spend all your time relaxing on a beach or around a hotel pool soaking up the tropical sun, but there are lots of tempting tours that can be taken and this is certainly one of them. You are taken on a five hour cycling trip through the charming rural areas surrounding Chiang Mai, visiting a school and temples, and experiencing the traditional Thai way of life in the countryside.

A bike tour in Chiang Mai and the surrounding areas is a great way to explore Northern Thailand, where landscape meets culture, making it the perfect location for biking enthusiasts and those who want to discover old Thailand. With mountains, rivers and forests Chiang Mai and the entire province provide some of the best mountain biking, as well as some leisurely and scenic routes, in all of the country.

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AS GOOD AS GOLD

This tour begins in the morning when you are driven up the narrow and scenic mountain roads to Doi Tung and along the way stop to visit Lahu and Akha villages, meeting the local hill tribes people. Continue to the Golden Triangle area - where Thailand, Burma and Laos meet - and beside the mighty Mekong River you visit the Hall of Opium to learn the history of opium and the drugs trade in the region.

When holidaying in Thailand it is tempting to spend all your time relaxing on a beach or around a hotel pool soaking up the tropical sun, but there are lots of memorable tours that can be taken and this is certainly one of them. You are driven to one of the most beautiful regions of Thailand experiencing the countryside and traditional Thai way of life.

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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.

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JUST FOR YOU

Leave your resort hotel for an adventurous drive through the jungle to the spectacular Pala U Waterfall. There are 14 different stages to this beautiful waterfall and if you are feeling energetic you can climb to the very top. But the best spot to relax and swim in the crystal clear waters is the third station, where the whole family can have fun safely watched over by a guide.

While staying at Hua Hin, once a quiet fishing village on the Gulf of Thailand, in the southern Thai province of Prachuap Khiri Khan, it is tempting to just relax on the beach or around your hotel pool and soak up the tropical sunshine or enjoy the multitude of fun water sports on offer at the resort. But it's well worth taking at least one tour during your holiday, and this day at Pala U Waterfall is one of the best.

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SAIL INTO THE PARK

You begin this popular trip by taking a pleasant drive south of Hua Hin through pineapple and coconut plantations to Sam Roi Yod National Park. Known as the park of three hundred peaks, you begin your adventure by taking a fishing boat to visit the secluded village of Bang Poo, where you can climb up to see the impressive Phrayanakom Cave. Here you can relax and enjoy some swimming and sunbathing.

While staying at Hua Hin, once a quiet fishing village on the Gulf of Thailand, in the southern Thai province of Prachuap Khiri Khan, it is tempting to just relax on the beach or around your hotel pool and soak up the tropical sunshine or enjoy the multitude of fun water sports on offer at the resort. But it's well worth taking at least one tour during your holiday, and this trip to the national park is so rewarding.

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WALK BACK TO THE PAST

On this popular tour of northern Thailand you begin by driving up Doi Suthep mountain to visit the Buddhist temple Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, which is one of the most famous temples in Chiang Mai. Then continue on to Doi Pui Village, a Hmong community, where you will learn about its turbulent history and how, in the past, the village was involved in opium cultivation before tourism took over.

Take a walk around the village before meeting a guide who will accompany you on a hike to the Hmong village of Ban Mae Sa Mai which is situated in the lush Mae Sa Valley. The hike will take around six hours but there will be comfort stops along the way and lots of opportunities to take pictures and enjoy the stunning views of the valleys and mountains as you hear stories of the opium trade and its impact on the region.

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A stroll in the park

You are picked up from your hotel in Chiang Mai and driven to Doi Inthanon, which at 8,514 feet above sea level is the highest peak in Thailand. It's located around 100 miles from the city and its national park is one of the most fertile natural treasure troves in all of Chiang Mai province. The invigorating mountain air and the fresh cool climate make it a rejuvenating break from the city.

On this tour you visit a Karen hilltribe village, Mae Kland and Wachiratharn waterfalls, the twin Dhedis built by the Royal Thai Air Force to honour the King and then stop at the summit, where you find the shrine of the former Prince of Chiang Mai. There will be some time to explore the area on foot before enjoying lunch at a local restaurant.

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MAKE TRACKS TO THE MARKET

Leave Hua Hin and head north up the coast to Petchaburi where you head inland to visit the famous Maeklong Market. This traditional Thai market is full of exotic fruits and goods but is unique, because it sits right on top of railway tracks. Watch as trains approach and the stalls are miraculously moved to let them pass, a feat that has to be seen to be believed.

After having fun bargaining for souvenirs with the locals, leave Maeklong and travel for around 20 minutes into Samut Songkhram Province where you have dinner before taking a walk around the local market. Then, at dusk, board a traditional long-tailed speedboat for an exciting trip down the river and canals stopping at the Amphawa Floating market at night.

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CROSS OVER AND STRIKE GOLD

On this popular tour you begin by crossing the border into neighbouring Burma where you witness life in a local village. Rickshaws wait to take you to explore a temple, and ride around town through the lanes and side streets. Stop at a busy market and enjoy haggling for bargains with the chance of getting some hand made goods and souvenirs to take home.

Then you travel to an area known as the Golden Triangle, where the countries of Thailand, Burma and Laos meet. Here you are taken to a viewpoint where you have stunning views over the countryside and the mighty Mekong River at the spot where it joins the Ruak. On this great tour you are picked up from your hotel in the morning and returned there at the end of an exciting day.

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Get a taste for Thai food

Baan Thai gives you the opportunity to learn how to cook real Thai food in a traditional Thai setting, with skilled and friendly teachers who can impart the secrets of local cooking techniques to you in a fun and relaxed atmosphere. You will not only be taught how to cook a variety of Thai foods, but also buy the ingredients at a local market.

The day begins with the market visit when cooking school staff will help you to choose the food. Back at the school you will be shown how to prepare it in this hands on environment. At the end of your course, you will not only have learned a thing or two about Thai cooking, but will also have had a memorable experience that tastes good too! Now get ready to impress friends back home with your new found culinary skills.

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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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Koh coral calling!

It's always tempting to just relax on the beach or beside your hotel pool soaking up the tropical sunshine whenever you visit the fabulous Thai island of Koh Samui. But it's worth getting up off that sunbed for a few hours to take this wonderful cruise out to a coral island where you can go exploring or even revert to being lazy all over again.

Your adventure begins when you board a traditional Thai long tail boat for the journey out to Coral Island. When you arrive lunch is served at the small island restaurant and there is lots of free time for snorkelling and swimming in the clear blue waters, or just relaxing in the sun. This popular trip makes a fun day out for all the family during any holiday in Koh Samui.

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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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CRYING SHAME TO MISS THE TEARDROPS

For both an exciting and relaxing tour when on holiday in Thailand, they don't come much better than this. You take a speedboat across the sea for a day of swimming, snorkeling and relaxing soaking up the sunshine at Koh Tao and Koh Nang Yuan where you will find crystal clear waters and see colourful corals. Lunch will be at a local restaurant on Koh Tao.

As well as seeing the exotic marine life and coral around Koh Tao, today you will also experience the beautiful tiny island of Koh Nang Yuan which is made up of three little teardrops of land connected by a massive sandbar. It's a place where picture postcard dreams are made because of its unique topography, blindingly white sand beaches and shores teeming with fish.

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INTO THE OPIUM 'DEN'

The Golden Triangle for centuries was known as the centre of the opium trade. And on this fascinating tour you visit a hill top viewpoint, above the junction of the Mekong and Ruak Rivers, which forms a three-way border with Laos, Burma and Thailand, to learn all about the part this region has played over the years in the growing of opium.

Then continue to Mae Sai, the northernmost point of Thailand, to meet the local people, experience life on the border with Burma and explore the market for exotic goods. When holidaying in Thailand it is tempting to spend all your time relaxing on a beach or around a hotel pool soaking up the tropical sun, but there are lots of memorable tours that can be taken and this is one of them.

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MEET THE MIRACLE MONK

On this afternoon tour you are taken to see around the local area of Hua Hin, which was once a small fishing village, in the beautiful Gulf of Thailand. Your first stop is at the Monkey Mountain Khao Takiab, which is home to a large Buddha statue which stands beside the sea. At this point you can walk up to a view point for stunning panoramas right along the beautiful coastline.

Then visit Wat Huay Mongkol, where you find the enormous statue of Luang Phor Thuate, an immensely popular Thai monk who was said to have performed miracles many centuries ago. Afterwards continue on to Hua Hin Hills vineyard to explore the new latitude wines and learn how these grape vines thrive in the tropical climate. Last stop is at the living museum of Plearnwan with its unusual architecture.

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INTO THE WILDS

This is a great tour if you want to spend some time getting back to nature while staying at the Thai resort of Hua Hin. You begin by driving north west for around 50 miles to Kaeng Krachan, one of the country's biggest national parks. On arrival stop at the information house to find out about all the natural surprises that await and what you will be seeing and doing for the rest of the day.

You are then taken to Kaeng Krachan reservoir, a huge lake which has been formed by damming the Petchaburi River. Here you board a boat and are taken for a sail around the lake seeing lots of exotic wildlife and birds on the beautiful wooded islands. After this trip you enjoy lunch at a typical Thai restaurant that overlooks the reservoir before beginning the journey back to Hua Hin.

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Great day of 007 heaven

An exciting day of exploring the limestone formations of Phang Nga by sea canoe. Your adventure will start with a boat journey out to the famous rock formations then it's time to get up close to the scenery and birdlife of these stunning and unusual rocks in your sea canoe. There will be free time for swimming and to enjoy lunch, making it a truly memorable experience.

The distinctive feature of Phang Nga Bay are the sheer limestone karsts that jut vertically out of the emerald green water. The famous James Bond Island and Koh Panyee are two of the popular tourist destinations in the bay, but as you have the freedom of your canoe you can paddle to the less crowded areas and get close to nature in some of south east Asia's most stunning scenery.

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Get to know the area

It's tempting just to relax on the beach or beside you hotel pool when spending a sunshine holiday staying in Krabi, but you should make the effort to take this private tour of the town and surrounding district, where you will find the mysterious Tiger Cave Monastery; Gastropod Fossil remains, and Nopparat Thara Beach as well as a local market.

You will learn so much about this area of southern Thailand's Andaman coast on this interesting and scenic adventure. It is an almost otherworldly region of labyrinthine archipelagos, where islands seem to erupt vertically out of the sea and attractions including hot springs, a wildlife sanctuary, sea caves, and colourful coral reefs. Lunch is included in your tour.

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Take a great private tour

This cultural and scenic treat will enrich your holiday memories as you experience the charm of Phuket, known as the Pearl of the Andaman. Take in the natural beauty of Phuket Island as you are driven along quiet beach roads admiring the stunning views in and around Phuket and seeing all of the island's best scenic spots.

This tour gives you an insight to the Island and includes a visit to Phuket Town to see the Sino-Portuguese style buildings with time to wander around the local market or appreciate the distinctive architecture. Other attractions visited are Wat Chalong, Big Buddha at Chalong, and a Cashew Nut grove. You end with a visit to the famous sunset viewpoint at Promthep Cape which has one of the island's most beautiful views.

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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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You'll rave about the caves

On this fascinating tour you visit Ao Luk National Park, Lod Cave and Hua Galok Cave to see 5,000 year old cave paintings and impressive stalactites. Lod Cave has a navigable stream flowing through it and the whole area is dotted with caves. This is a great day for taking pictures to show friends and family back home.

This area of southern Thailand’s Andaman coast is an almost other-worldly region of labyrinthine archipelagos, where islands seem to erupt vertically out of the sea. With attractions including hot springs, a wildlife sanctuary, the sea caves, flourishing coral reefs, exotic marine life and limestone cliffs it is one of Thailand's most picturesque areas.

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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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