Bangkok is the capital and the most populous city of Thailand. It is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon pronounced kr?? or simply About this sound Krung Thep (help·info). The city occupies 1,568.7 square kilometres (605.7 sq mi) in the Chao Phraya River delta in Central Thailand, and has a population of over eight million, or 12.6 percent of the country’s population. Over fourteen million people (22.2 percent) live within the surrounding Bangkok Metropolitan Region, making Bangkok an extreme primate city, dwarfing Thailand’s other urban centres in terms of importance.Bangkok traces its roots to a small trading post during the Ayutthaya Kingdom in the 15th century, which eventually grew in size and became the site of two capital cities: Thonburi in 1768 and Rattanakosin in 1782. Bangkok was at the heart of Siam’s (as Thailand used to be known) modernization during the later nineteenth century, as the country faced pressures from the West. The city was the centre stage of Thailand’s political struggles throughout the twentieth century, as the country abolished absolute monarchy, adopted constitutional rule and underwent numerous coups and uprisings. The city grew rapidly during the 1960s through the 1980s and now exerts a significant impact among Thailand’s politics, economy, education, media and modern society.The Asian investment boom in the 1980s and 1990s led many multinational corporations to locate their regional headquarters in Bangkok. The city is now a major regional force in finance and business. It is an international hub for transport and health care, and is emerging as a regional centre for the arts, fashion and entertainment. The city’s vibrant street life and cultural landmarks, as well as its notorious red-light districts, have given it an exotic appeal. The historic Grand Palace and Buddhist temples including Wat Arun and Wat Pho stand in contrast with other tourist attractions such as the nightlife scenes of Khaosan Road and Patpong. Bangkok is among the world’s top tourist destinations. It is named the most visited city in MasterCard’s Global Destination Cities Index, and has been named “World’s Best City” for four consecutive years by Travel + Leisure magazine.
Day 1: Arrive Bangkok Airport / Private transfer Bangkok Airport to Hotel / Free at own leisure.Overnight at Hotel, Bangkok.
Day 2: Bangkok Blessing Trail.
Breakfast at the Hotel. Meet your English-speaking guide in the hotel’s lobby. Depart from hotel to Rattanakosin Island, the original area of Bangkok when it was first established as the capital over 200 years ago. Visit : Wat Saket, an unusual temple that houses Buddha relics within its 58- metre-high chedi surmounted by a golden cupola.Built by King Rama I just outside the new city walls, the late-18th century temple served as the capital’s crematorium. During the following 100 years, the temple became the dumping ground for some 60,000 plague victims. The Golden Mount, is part of the Wat Saket temple located just outside the old royal city precincts, next to the Pom Mahakhan fort. The mount has a somewhat unusual history. It was started by King Rama III early in the 19th century, who wanted to build a large chedi on the site to mark the entrance to the city. However, the soft marshy ground could not support such a large structure and it collapsed before it was completed. Later on, Rama IV built a small chedi housing a Buddha relic on top of the mud and brick mound. The chedi was rebuilt again towards the end of the 19th century by his son Rama V when the Viceroy of India, Lord Curzon, made a gift of a Buddha relic excavated from the town where Buddha was believed to have been born. The concrete cap was built during WW II to keep the artificial hill from eroding further. Wat Ratchabophit, the temple was commissioned by Rama V late in the 19th century. The temple’s unique design has the large wiharn and ubosot linked by a circular courtyard. In most Thai temples, the ubosot sits on its own in a square courtyard. In the center of Wat Ratchabophit’s courtyard, between the ubosot and the wiharn, is a large gilded chedi containing a seated Lopburi-style Buddha image. The outside of the buildings are decorated with hand-painted glazed tiles similar to Thai benjarong enamels. The door and window frames are elaborately decorated with gold and mirrors. South of the temple buildings is the housing area for the monks and workers of the temple (kuti). At the far end of these is a Chinese-style building that, at one time, was used by kings during their stay in the temple. Next to this building is a storage area for disused Buddha images. Tiger God Shrine, the old Taoist shrine constructed in Southern Chinese architectural style is one of the popular places of worship in Bangkok. The tiger statue, representing the Tiger God, is believed to contain tiger bones and its spirit inside for the purpose of protecting people from the forces of evil. The deity is highly respected by the local people and is believed to be able to improve their fortune.transfer to your Hotel. Free at own leisure.Overnight at Hotel, Bangkok.
Day 3: Damneon Saduak Floating Markets – Bridge over River Kwai
Breakfast at the Hotel. Meet your English-speaking guide in the hotel’s lobby.Depart for Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, situated 110 Km. west of Bangkok.(1.5 hours drive)Your journey commences with a leisurely drive through rice paddies and salt fields.En route we visit farmhouse along the way and watch locals produce sugar from coconut. The tour continues with a 30 minutes speedboat trip along fruit plantation to see Thai houses and the traditional way of life.Arrive Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. Here you will be fascinated by boats of various shapes and sizes used by local merchants to ferry their goods.You are able to hire small boat board along the market for shopping local products. [small boat is not included – 150 Baht] Depart floating market to Kanchanaburi. (1.5 hours drive)Arrive Kanchanaburi town. Visit world-famous Bridge over the River Kwai, a part of the Death Railway constructed by Allied prisoners of war.Train ride on Death Railway through magnificent scenery, passing over the original wooden viaduct constructed by Allied POWs. Leave form Kanchanaburi pass green paddy fields, villages, and temples then return to Bangkok. (2.5 hours drive) Arrive your hotel. Free at own leisure.Overnight at Hotel, Bangkok.
Day 4: Muang Boran – The Ancient City + Erawan Museum Tour
Meet your English-speaking guide in the hotel’s lobby.Depart for The Ancient City or Muang Boran is located at km 33 on the old Sukhumvit Rd. The whole area is 320 acres and has a shape like the map of Thailand. There are about 109 monuments constructed at reduced scale but big enoughto imagine about the actual size.Arrive Erawan Museum. Inside the huge three-headed elephant and its round base is a museum, Erawan Museum. The three storeys inside the elephant contain antiquities and priceless collection of ancient religious objects of Kun Lek Viriyapant who is the museum owner. He is also the owner of the Ancient City and The Sanctuary of truth. It started from his friend’s idea of apple-shaped construction, symbol of western religion, inspired him to build this building in the form of Erawan elephant, symbol of eastern religion.Its body made from bronze with pink pedestal rounded base decorated with millions of little tiles. The body is about 29 meters height. The whole height is about 44 meters. The design ofall three floors represents three worlds. The lower floor is the underwater world. The upper floor is the earth, Kao Prasumain. The top is the second heaven. Each floor illustrates different kind of objects as follow:Lower one demonstrates various antiques and exhibits the aim of the construction and Kun Lek and Kun Pakpein Viriyapant’s biography.Upper floor illustrates many elaborate antique arts and objects. This floor’s design was mixed divisibly between western and eastern art’s style. The ceiling was decorated by stained glass by German artist.The top one is the body of elephant placed the Buddha’s relics and Buddha images. The wall was ornamented with the exquisite painting of cosmos. Kun Lek Viriyapant wishes this museum which keeps various priceless ancient objects became worth cultural heritage. Arrive Ancient City. Here you car appreciate the splendours of Thailand in the past. The replicas of major historical structures, which exist or used to exist in the kingdom, have been constructed in both smaller and actual sizes. All structures are categorised according to Thailand’s northern, southern, northeastern and central regions. Visitors can either stroll or drive around the extensive area.Depart Ancient City to Bangkok. Free at own leisure.Overnight at Hotel, Bangkok.
Day 5: Sky Train – Chao Phraya River – Wat Pho – Grand Palace – Tuk Tuk Ride – Jim Thompson’s House. Meet your English-speaking guide in the hotel’s lobby. Transfer to the nearest BTS Station and get on the Sky train for a short ride to the terminal station of Saphan Taksin on the banks of the Chao Phraya River. Embark aboard the Chao Phraya Express Boat for a 20 minutes trip along the Chao Phraya, be fascinated with the humble Thai way of life along the riverbanks. Adding to the attractions are magnificent architectures standing elegant along the river. For instance, the Temple of Dawn, The Grand Palace, the Suspension Rama VIII bridge, and a String of World-class Waterfront Hotels.Visit Wat Pho (Temple of the Reclining Buddha), founded in the 16th century, the oldest and biggest temple with the largest number of pagodas (95 in all) in the city. Wat Pho was the first open university of Thailand which offered courses in several branches of knowledge likeliterature, astrology, medicine and massage. It’s well known for its huge Reclining Buddha, 46 m. long and 15 m. high.Continue to visit The Grand Palace & Wat Phra Kaeo, the most beautiful and important Buddhist temple in Thailand. It is so richly and intricately decorated that, once entering the temple, you will feel as if you are in a real ‘city of angels’.Take a Tuk Tuk across the royal fields of Sanam Luang and eventually push up to the backpacker’s mecca of Khao San Road. Although the street is not very long, it is extremely interesting for visitors from all over the world examining the market stalls, looking for accommodation, good eats, and cyber cafes. In the evenings, the street is filled with loud music. It is a good-humored friendly place and well worth visiting.Back to the Rachadamnoen Avenue by Local Bus to the historical Klong (Canal) Saen Saap. Board the klong ‘bus-boat’ and cross the city to the west.Disembark for a short walk in Ratchathewi boat station to visit Jim Thompson’s House Museum. This exquisite collection of traditional Thai houses stands as a museum to Jim Thompson, the man who revived the Thai silk industry and founded the Jim Thompson Thai Silk Company. Jim Thompson’s eclectic collection of antiques and artifacts is on permanent exhibition, making this a magnificent tribute to a well-respected and sorely missed legendary figure.After the visit, the opportunity is given for shopping in one of the 5 huge shopping complex of the area (MBK, Siam Square, Siam Center, Siam Discovery, Siam Paragon), or simply.Transfer back to your hotel. Free at own leisure.Overnight at Hotel, Bangkok.
Day 6: Ayutthaya Experience Tour / Dinner Cruise Tour
Breakfast at the Hotel. Meet your English-speaking guide in the hotel’s lobby.Depart for Ayutthaya, located 76 kms. north of Bangkok. It was one of Indo-China’s most prosperous cities and is one of Thailand’s major historical attractions. The grandeur of Ayutthaya is reflected by numerous magnificent structures and ruins concentrated in and around the city island surrounded by the Chao Phraya, Pa Sak and Lop Buri Rivers. The area, well conserved as a historical park, has been included in UNESCO’s list of World Heritage since 13 December 1991. Ayutthaya covers an area of 2,556 square kilometres.Visit Wat Yai Chai Mongkol is situated to the southeast and opposite to Ayutthaya city. A large Chedi of this Wat can be seen from a far distance. This monastery wasbuilt by King U-Thong in 1357 A.D. for the use of the monks who had returned from Ceylon after studying under Phra Vanarat Maha Thera.Visit Chao Sam Phraya National Museum, This museum is perfect for history buffs who admire fine arts and handicraft of the Ayutthaya period. Housed in the museum are various original antiques, mostly made of gold and decorated with precious jewels. In addition, there are various antique bronze Buddha images and famous carved panels. Of note is a receptacle in the Thai Pavilion that contains relics of the Lord Buddha and other objects of art that are over 500 years old.Continue to Ayutthaya Ancient Palace, was original built King U-Thong in the 14 th century, and was expanded over the years. These pavilions were completely destroyed in 1767, leaving only brick foundation, porticos and walls.Visit Wihan Phra Mongkhon Bophit. Phra Mongkhon Bophit, a large bronze cast Buddha image was originally enshrined in the open area outside the Grand Palace and later covered by a building in the reign of king Songtham. During the fall of Ayutthaya, the building was badly destroyed by fire. The one currently seen was reconstructed, but does not have as beautiful craftmanship as the previous one. The open area east of the sanctuary was where the royal cremation ceremonies took place.Visit Wat Phra Si Sanphet. This is the most important temple within the Royal Palace compound and the original from which the Temple of the Emerald Buddha in Bangkok has been copied. Three outstanding Ceylonese style pagodas were built during the 15th century to enshrine the ashes of three Ayutthayan kings.City-sightseeing tour along the Inner City. En route you can see many magnificent temples and ruins, including Wat Mahathat, Wat Ratburana, Wat Phra Ram then feeding the food to elephant at Ayutthaya Elephant Camp.Across the Rivers to the south of the Island. Visit Wat Chaiwatthanaram, one of the most imposing ancient Buddhist monasteries, was established by the command of King Prasatthong in 1630 A.D. It is believed that the wat is located on the site of his former home. The reason for building this monastery was to make merit for his mother. Prince Damrong Rachanuphap noted that its architecture was similar to that of Angkor Wat and inferred that the wat might have been built to commemorate the king’s victory over Cambodia.Leave form Ayutthaya pass green paddy fields, villages, and temples then return to Bangkok.Arrive your hotel. Free at own leisure.Depart River City Pier which you will good atmosphere the scenic sunset as you pass a numerous landmarks making its a truly exotic and momentous night.Thai style boat restaurant with Thai food, seafood, and beverage accompanied by Thai classical music. You will enjoy a pleasant atmosphere with our charming and friendly hospitable services. Come along and explore the Siam culinary experience on water. After an exciting day of travel, keep the rest of your time for relaxation with our fine traditional service. Welcome to our luxury boat restaurant with all kinds of attraction ranging from ancient relics to modern comforts.Do not miss a delightful experience forconnoisseurs along the Chao Phaya River on Wan Fah, a comfortable boat restaurant among sparkling night lights to give you an exotic experience.
Selection from one (1) of the following menu:
Thai Set Menu
OR
Seafood Set Menu
Arrive at River City then transfer back to your hotel. Free at own leisure.
Overnight at Hotel, Bangkok.
Day 7: Bangkok Departure: Breakfast at the Hotel, free at own leisure until Hotel check-out at 12:00.
