Bangkok Excursions

Tour Code: HDBGE                 Grand Palace & the Temple of the Emerald Buddha
The City's landmark was the residence of the Kings of Thailand. The Palace was built in 1782 by King Rama I, consists
of several buildings with highly decorated architectural details. The Palace is now used for royal ceremonies and
state functions. The Royal chapel Wat Phra Kaeo, which is in the same compound that houses the Emerald Buddha,
the most sacred Buddha image in Thailand. A small image of green stone, 75cm high, the Emerald Buddha has come
down the Thai history as the principal Buddha image of the nation. The Temple of the Emerald Buddha is world-
renown for its multi-chrome, gilded pavilions, stupas with glittering spires and fanciful mythical figures. Among the
attractions inside the temple are classical mural paintings along the inner walls done by the Thai master painter
depicting the whole Ramayana epic. The visitor should also see the complete replica of the Khemer Angkor Wat done
in sandstone. Note: Proper dress: no shorts, singlets, spaghetti straps or sandals with no backs.

Tour Code: HDBTC                Temples and City Tour
This is the ideal introduction to Thailand, Buddhism and the Thai people. Visit to three of the most popular temples
in the capital. Temple of the Golden Buddha features a three meter high solid Buddha, weighing 5.5 tons. The temple
is located right in the heart of Chinatown in Bangkok. Temple of the Reclining Buddha is the oldest and largest
temple of Bangkok was built nearly 200 years ago and houses the enormous Reclining Buddha. The temple was
regarded as Thailand’s first university where the Thai traditional medicine and traditional massage sessions and
other subjects are available within the compound of this temple. The Marble Temple is famous for its traditional
architecture built in marble from Italy. The temple houses the most beautiful bronze Buddha’s image (the facial
expression of perfect tranquility and inner peace). The visitor can observe bronze Buddha images in different position
displayed within the temple compound.

Tour Code: HDBFM                Floating Market in Bangkok with Wat Arun
Also known as a klong (canal) tour because there is no longer any active or genuine floating market due to the
modernization of Bangkok. The trip starts early morning to take a long-tailed speed boat or big express passenger
boat along the Chao Phyra River. Proceed to the west bank of the river then turn into small canals, attraction of this
trip is the scenery along both side of the river: the contrast between high modern buildings and small typical Thai
houses along the river. Beautiful Buddhist temples are also located along both banks of the river. The trip can include
a stop Wat Arun or the Royal Barge Museum. This klong tour can also be done in the late morning or early afternoon. It
is one of the most interesting and fun-filled ways of exploring Bangkok. The short trip on the Chao Phyra River or along
any of the numerous klongs (canals) that criss-cross the city will give fascinating glimpse of the bustling and vital life
cantered on Bangkok’s waterways. River tripping is one of the oldest and coolest forms of local travel and can come as
a welcome respite from the heat and congestion of Bangkok streets.

Tour Code: HDBRG                Rose Garden & Thai Village Show
The Rose Garden Cultural Centre comprises a large area of the resort that has been developed into a typical Thai
village. Here you will see villagers in their natural habitat, working to create traditional village handicrafts. Silk-
weaving, pottery making, umbrella painting, khon mask making, mat weaving, doll making, fruit carving, garland
making, rice pounding, even the intricate crafting of silver and lacquer ware. You will also see impressive displays of
Thai period costumes and the busy everyday activities of a typical Thai market as well as different styles of Thai
houses from the North to the South and an intriguing display of antiques from various parts of Thailand. These and
many more fascinating aspects of Thai village life are depicted and a wide range of gifts and souvenirs are available
to remind you of your visit.

Tour Code: HDBJT                Jim Thompson's House
The late Jim Thompson, a famous American World War 2 veteran, was the founder of the Thai silk and cotton industry.
He made the fabric world renowned as a fashion fabric for haute couture, and settled down to live as a native. He
built his famous Thai home by genuine parts taken from several old upcountry houses. The traditional layout of the
interior and the overall compound had religiously been followed, down to the freely grown tropical garden plants on
the ground. Having travelled widely in Asia, Thompson had built an outstanding collection of rare artefacts of Asia in
general and Thailand in particular. Thompson disappeared without a trace in Malaysia during the 70s. His home
where he used to entertain the likes of Somerset Maugham is now administered by a foundation.

Tour Code: HDBNM                The National Museum
The museum, opened in1928, is the largest of its kind in Southeast Asia, and houses major collections of pre-historic
and Buddhist art. Thailand’s artistic treasures of Ban Chiang, Dvaravati, Lopburi, Sukhothai, Ayuthaya and Ratanakosin
periods are of particular interest. A historical landmark itself, the museum was originally the palace of the Deputy
King of Thailand. The old palace, built in 1782, contains the ethnological exhibits, including elephant’s kowdahs, royal
furnishings, weapons, and porcelain and funeral chariots.The Buddhaisawan Chapel in the museum grounds contains
well preserved murals depicting the life of Buddha and the second most important Buddha image in Thailand – the
Phra Buddha Sihing.

Tour Code: HDBAC                The Ancient City
The only open museum in Thailand. The Ancient City (Muang Boran) is located 33km east of Bangkok along the old
Sukhumvit Road. This is an open air exhibition of precise replicas of historic and cultural buildings and the structures
from all parts of Thailand. On a 200-acre plot of land, the prime historical attractions in Thailand can be found here.
Famous temples, castles, stupas, etc are laid out according to their geographical locations on the map. A driveway
winds through the vast compound passing all the exhibits which visitors can view from the comfort of their cruising
cars, or step down to tour the inside of any individual exhibits at will. The main attraction is the magnificent replica
of Sri Sanpetch Prasat, the most beautiful building of the Ayuthaya period, which was burnt by the Burmese. It is
painstakingly rebuilt here from the long research through historical documents. Many of the beautiful sites of
Thailand, which have already disappeared, can also be found here like a real place.

Tour Code: HDBRC                Rice Barge Cruise
This is another interesting trip along the waterways in Bangkok. Commencing with a cruise along the river and canals
by motor launched then board a comfortable converted Rice Barge slowly towed by motorboat along the canal to see
the nice scenery along both side of the canals during the late afternoon where 10 tropical of in season, peanuts and
welcome drinks are served. Soft music and open bar system on board the boat assures you a pleasant journey through
the late afternoon. Sunset Cruise - The hour-long sunset cruise starts from about 5:30p and cruises up the Chao Phyra
River. The cruise passes the majestically-lit Wat Arun and Grand Palace. Dinner Cruise - There are a number of river
cruises which offers this dinner cruise along the Chao Phyra River. The cruise takes about 2.5 hrs and the highlight of
this programme is when the cruise passes the beautifully lit up Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn), Grand Palace and Temple
of the Emerald Buddha.

Tour Code: HDBVP                Vimanmek Palace (Golden Teakwood Palace)
The largest teakwood building in existence, the four stories high Vimanmek Palace was built by King Rama V (the
grandfather of the present King) as a suburban palace around the end of the 19th century. The tall wooden building
overlooking a beautiful reflecting pool is airy and spacious. Here is where King Rama V, one of Thailand’s most
beloved monarchs and the first Thai King to go on state visits to Europe, came to relax from the arduous tasks of
building the national infrastructures and the stress of steering the country clear from the gasping paws of the
rampant colonialism. The palace was restored by the royal command of Her Majesty the Queen and opened to public
viewing. Besides the fully furnished palace in the style of those days on exhibits, there are several collections of rare
paintings, jewellery sets and exquisite chinaware, some by famous artists and master
craftsmen of Europe in the late 19th century.

Tour Code: HDBSP                Suan Pakard Palace
The palace was opened to public by the late Princess Chumbhot of Nagara Svarga. A prominent patroness of fine arts
and archaeology; she passed away in 1987. The princess was also the founder of Thailand’s foremost public art
gallery, the Bhirasri Institute which is the principal venue for public exhibitions of all forms of artistic expressions:
paintings, sculptures, dramatic arts, etc. At Suan Pakard Palace, the princess had set up one of the most impressive
collections of Thai objects, arts and artefacts. The palace ground also bears testimony to the exquisite taste of the
princess, who was an amateur botanist. Inside the compound of the palace, lush shrubberies and graceful trees
borders the expansive, undulating lawn which leads to shimmering lotus ponds. Dignified teak mansions, built high
on sturdy teak columns, as lived by Thais of noble birth, stand unobtrusively in tree groves.

Tour Code: HDBBS                Bangsai Support Centre
A centre set up under the patronage of Her Majesty the Queen to provide training facilities for the farming families to
develop handicraft skills to earn supplementary income. The products from here are sold to Chitralada.

Tour Code: HDBCH                Chatuchak Weekend Market
This market covers several acres, with stalls erected Friday to Sundays only and sells literally everything from blue
and white pottery and “antiques” to plants, food, clothes, animals, puppets, basket ware, furniture … A fascinating
scene for residents, tourists and bargain hunters alike. Wear old shoes, take a large shopping bag, and steer your
children well clear of the pet section, unless you want to get stuck there as well.

Tour Code: HDBPK                Pak Klong Talad (Flower Market)
Located at the foot of the Rama I bridge near Chinatown. This is a wholesale market of fruits, vegetable and flowers,
this extremely colourful with all kind of local flowers, orchids, and many others. The market is very active from
midnight until noon of the next day. Note: This tour can be arranged as an evening tour to avoid the heat.