SHORE EXCURSIONS

Experience the beauty of one of Bangkok's lesser-known treasures during this full-day visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ayutthaya.

Depart the pier for the 3-hour drive to historic Ayutthaya. Ayutthaya was founded in 1350 AD, and remained the kingdom's capital for 417 years until 1767 AD, when it was conquered and destroyed by the Burmese. Visit the exquisite Bang Pa-In Summer Palace, formerly a popular summer retreat for Thai kings. The Palace includes one of the most photographed buildings in the kingdom, a charming Thai pavilion built over a pond.

Drive to the historic center of Ayutthaya and visit the Historical Park to explore some of Ayutthaya's most famous and interesting ruins. A part of the park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. During the day, you’ll enjoy lunch at a local hotel.

Explore Bangkok's exotic sites during this memorable visit to the Grand Palace, and the city's main shopping area.

Depart the pier for the drive to the Grand Palace, which showcases the most beautiful example of an ancient Siamese Court. Different palaces were built and named for different occasions; the Funeral Palace, Reception Palace, Throne Hall, Coronation Hall and Temple of the Emerald Buddha, perhaps the most breathtaking of them all. The Buddha is made of translucent green jasper, and the king changes its vestments three times a year during a solemn ceremony.

After a buffet style lunch, a stop will be made at the Gems Gallery, where you can browse among a range of vibrant Thai silks and souvenirs before being transferred back to the pier.

Explore daily life in Bangkok during this picturesque boat trip through the city that focuses on life along Bangkok's canals.

Depart the pier for the drive to Bangkok, where upon arrival you will board a boat for a scenic cruise along the canals, or klongs, of the Chao Praya River. Along the way, you will see the small wooden houses that rise on stilts from the water. You will also encounter many long, flat boats laden with exotic produce and colorful fare plying the waterways, and carrying on trade as they did centuries ago.

Your tour along these fascinating waterways includes a stop at the beautiful Temple of Dawn, or Wat Arun, and a visit to the Royal Barge Shed, where the impressively ornate ceremonial barges are stored when not in use.

Following your time at the Royal Barge shed, you will transfer to a local restaurant for lunch before driving back to Laem Chabang.

OVERVIEW

See the bounty of tropical fruits that flourish in the Rayong Province while riding an open-air tram through a fruit farm founded more than 50 years ago. While traveling through Suphattra Land, you will hear commentary about how the farm evolved from an agricultural research center into an attraction that promotes the incredible variety of fresh seasonal fruits grown throughout the province. Many of the fruits are considered rare and exotic in other parts of the world such as durian, rambutan and mangosteen, a purple-skinned fruit with tender white segments inside that taste sweet and floral. You will sample several of the fruits along with the classic Thai papaya salad known as som tam. Although the farm no longer grows rubber trees in abundance, there are some, which you will watch being tapped for their milky white latex. You will also sample fresh honey while the beekeepers tend their apiaries.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Ride through a farm that grows a huge variety of fresh fruits, some considered exotic.
• Sample a selection of fresh fruit, honey and a Thai papaya salad known as som tam.
• See demonstrations of rubber tree-tapping and beekeeping.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Settle in for a scenic drive through Bangkok’s vibrant Old Town with stops along the way at enlightening attractions such as the ornate Wat Suthat. Be sure to notice the temple’s beautiful roofline and huge red teak arch, which is all that remains of its famed giant swing. Inside, you will find an array of gilded Buddhas and massive mural paintings. The panoramic drive will also take you past landmarks such as the 18th-century City Pillar Shrine, the Temple of the Reclining Buddha – which holds more than 1,000 Buddha statues – and the Democracy Monument, which is dedicated to the ideals that led to Thailand becoming a democratic monarchy in 1932. Another highlight is the Grand Palace, an extraordinary example of an ancient Siamese court. Thailand’s kings lived here for more than 150 years, and today it is used primarily for royal ceremonies and state occasions. Following lunch at the Royal Orchid Sheraton, you will transfer to the airport.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Browse the Wat Suthat, an 18th-century temple known for its architectural splendor.
• See the Democracy Monument that tells the story of the 1932 Siamese Revolution.
• See the Democracy Monument that tells the story of the 1932 Siamese Revolution.
• Transfer to the airport in plenty of time to catch your flight.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Browse a conservation center with a nursery that breeds sea turtles for release into the ocean and a museum that showcases the life cycles of these marine creatures. The Royal Thai Navy Sea Turtle Conservation Center was established decades ago in response to Queen Siriket’s initiative to raise awareness of the plight of sea turtles, whose numbers were rapidly declining in Thailand. The center releases a staggering 20,000 sea turtles into the surrounding sea each year. Yet the turtles still suffer a low survival rate – as little as 1 in 1,000 – from dangers such as being entangled in commercial fishing nets, ingesting plastic trash and pollution. You will see tanks full of hatchlings, mostly hawksbill and green sea turtles, and discover how, when and where they are typically released into the wild. You may also peruse the displays of nesting sites and see where sick and injured sea turtles are rehabilitated.

HIGHLIGHTS

• See how endangered sea turtles are bred at a conservation center for release into the ocean.
• Gain an understanding why sea turtle hatchlings have such a low survival rate in the wild.
• Browse museum displays that show the life cycles of hawksbill and green sea turtles.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Gain great insight into the history of Thailand by riding a tram through the Ancient City, an open-air museum with replicas of many of the country’s most architecturally and historically important buildings. The park covers hundreds of acres full of temples, stupas, sanctuaries and entire villages that represent different regions of Thailand. Some of the buildings are recreations, while others such as the floating market are original structures that have been dismantled piece by piece and re-constructed at the Ancient City. Enlightening commentary will describe the sites, some of which you will browse for closer looks. Stopping at the replica Sanphet Prasat Palace will present a window into 18th-century Thailand that would otherwise not be possible as Burmese invaders burnt the original palace to the ground. The Preah Vihear temple complex shows an even earlier aspect of Thai life that you will see before transferring to the airport for your flight.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Explore an open-air museum with mostly replicas of important Thai buildings.
• See temples, a royal palace, a floating market and entire villages, all re-created in detail.
• Ride from attraction to attraction in the comfort of a tram.
• Transfer to the airport in plenty of time to catch your flight.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Get a genuine feel for river life by exploring the Pattaya floating market, which vendors in small wooden boats supply with all sorts of local goods. The market is divided into four sections, each representing a different region of Thailand. Although just opened in 2008, the market looks much older as it was designed to replicate an ancient floating market, most of which have long been abandoned. During free time at the market, you might sample items such as dragon fruit and mangosteen—the national fruit of Thailand—and linger over a freshly prepared lunch that is characteristic of one of the four regions. With so many aromas enticingly wafting through the air, it will be hard to resist dining. But the floating market offers much more than food. You will also find unusual handicrafts, silverware, handmade bags and silk clothing. The atmosphere couldn’t be more inviting.

HIGHLIGHTS:
• Browse the incredible array of merchandise at the Pattaya floating market.
• Get a sense of river life, as the locals purchase items directly from the vendors on boats.
• Marvel at the design of the floating market, a replica of an ancient floating market.

Experience daily life in the fertile agricultural countryside and delve into Thailand’s spiritual side by visiting the area’s most important Buddhist temple. While it will take two hours to reach Chachoengsao, it will be well worth the effort. The Bang Pakong River supplies abundant water to the area, and rice especially flourishes there. As you will discover by browsing the century-old Klong Suan Market with the locals, every imaginable type of food is available. Best of all, many vendors offer samples. For an entirely different perspective of the area, you will visit Luang Pho Sothon, a temple with a revered statue of Buddha that according to legend was found floating down the river. Chances are, you will see worshippers praying for prosperity and others leaving offerings. Women often leave boiled eggs in hopes of becoming pregnant. While wandering about the temple, be sure to notice the artwork, especially the painted murals of religious scenes.

HIGHLIGHTS:
• Enjoy a leisurely and immensely picturesque drive into the agricultural countryside.
• Browse Klong Suan Market with the locals as they peruse the seemingly endless stalls.
• Visit a beloved Buddhist temple and mingle with the worshippers and pilgrims.

Mingle with the locals in two coastal areas known more for their signature products than their beaches and seaside attractions. You will first visit Ang Sila, an engaging city revered for its hand-carved stoneware, especially granite mortars and pestles used for grinding spices. This prized piece of kitchenware is prevalent throughout Ang Sila, which means “stone basin.” Even so, fishing is the primary industry and most of the local seafood recipes call for spices—preferably ground with a stone mortar and pestle. Sticky rice is the iconic product associated with the Chon Buri province. Served as a signature dessert known as Khao Lam, sticky rice is typically mixed with coconut milk, black beans, sugar and salt before being roasted over an open fire in a stout bamboo tube. As you will discover firsthand at the Nong Mon Market, Khao Lam is a delicious treat any time of the day.

HIGHLIGHTS:
• Meander through two beautiful coastal areas known for rather unusual signature products.
• Learn why Ang Sila is revered for its stone mortars and pestles and buy one if you wish.
• Sample the iconic sticky rice dessert long associated with Nong Mon Market.

Experience a new wave of entertainment by watching the outstanding performance of the Thai famous transvestite “Alcazar Show”. This fabulous show of lights, extravagant costumes, music and dance will be sure to entertain.

Dubbed as “the greatest show in Asia” and “legend within the area” this show invites you to experience the wonder of a lifetime. Alcazar has a reputation of full satisfactions for its shows, and this show is no different. You will experience the magic of Alcazar’s state of the art lighting system, surround sound and of course, the lovely “Ladies” performing for their audience.

An approximately 1-hour drive takes you to Pattaya. Entering the city, enjoy a short scenic drive passing some of its livelier areas. On arrival to the theater, your guide will hand out your seating tickets and escort you into the grounds. Taking your seats, the lights will dim, and the show will begin. A performance of a lifetime will be presented by over 400 professional production crew members and a talented cast.

The show lasts for approx. 70 minutes and involves up to 17 different acts including: The Wondrous World, Flowers of China, Hello Vietnam, Persian Dance, The World is Not Enough and The Four Legendary Regions of the Siam Kingdom.

This full-day self-guided tour is ideal for guests who have visited Bangkok before, or feel independent enough to explore it without the assistance of a local guide.

Depart the pier in your air conditioned transportation for a scenic drive to a centrally located area in Bangkok. In Bangkok, enjoy approximately 4.5-hours depending on traffic conditions) of free time for sightseeing and shopping. En route, your guide will provide you with maps and orientation of the area.

At the pre-designated time, return to the meeting point for the return drive.