Side Tours

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Bangkok City Tours | Thailand Packages | Packages to Southeast Asia

For those Forum delegates who are arriving early as a tourist before the Forum, or who are staying afterwards to see some of Thailand and the surrounding region, are welcome to take advantage of local tour packages. A range of the various tours offered, including Bangkok city tours as well as a selection of packages throughout Thailand, is listed below.

Bangkok City Tours

Experience the city of Bangkok by taking advantage of a half-day or full-day Bangkok city tour. A selection of side tours is listed below. For those interested to book once on site, can do so at the World Travel Service "Tours and Transfers Desk".

Half-day tours

1. City & Temples Tour
Seat-in-coach tour - every morning and afternoon

Tour costs: Baht 830.- per person
Tour times: 08.00-12.00 or 12.30-17.00

Visit Wat Trimit with its golden Buddha. Then go through Chinatown to the flower market at Pak Klong Talad. Visit Wat Po, the temple of the Reclining Buddha. Drive past the Royal Grand Palace along Ratchadamnern Avenue, passing the Democracy Monument, various ministries and government offices, the Royal Plaza and the Marble Throne Hall before visiting the Marble Temple and its galleries where the most beautiful Buddha images in various positions are kept.

2. Royal Grand Palace Tour
Seat-in-coach tour - every morning and afternoon except on national holidays

Tour costs: Baht 950.- per person
Tour times: 08.00-12.00 or 12.30-17.00

Visit the Royal Grand Palace, then go through the dazzling Wat Phra Kaew with its revered Emerald Buddha, the Golden Chedi, Pantheon of the Chakri Kings, a miniature replica of Angkor Wat in Cambodia and the eight coloured towers. Certain buildings in the Palace grounds are closed on Saturdays and Sundays.

Wat Phra Kaew is Thailand's most sacred temple. Visitors wearing shorts, sandals without heel strap, T-shirts, sleeveless shirts, divided skirts, Bermuda shorts or tights are not allowed to enter.

3. Klong Tour
Seat-in-coach tour - every morning

Tour costs: Baht 720.- per person
Tour times: 07.00-11:30

Take an early morning motor launch trip along the bustling Chao Phya River and quiet klongs (canals), passing picturesque scenes of Thai river life. Also visit Wat Arun, the Temple of Dawn.

Full-day tours

4. Elephant Ride and Bamboo Rafting
Seat-in-coach tour -Tue/Thu/Sat only

Tour costs: Baht 1,800.- per person (Minimum 4 persons)
Tour times: 07.00-18.00

Tour includes: Kanchanaburi, a large province with rainforests and bamboo jungles only 130 kms west of Bangkok, offer and opportunity to ride on elephant-back and enjoy bamboo raft followed by 30 minutes on the elephant's back-two refreshing experiences. After lunch at a local restaurant, take a short ride on the original Death Railway train passing over a very long wooden viaduct among sheer cliffs, before traveling back to Bangkok.

5. Full-Day Ayutthaya Tour
Seat-in-coach tour - every day

Tour costs: Baht 1,530 per person
Tour times: 08.00-17.00

Visit Thailand's world-famous former capital (from AD 1350 to 1767) and now a World Heritage Site. See some of the ruins which have survived from this once magnificent city. Start with the Elephant Kraal, a spacious enclosure made of teak logs once used to capture wild elephants. Then see the ruins of Phra Maha That temple, followed by a short elephant ride to Wat Phra Si Sanphet, the most important temple within the old Royal Palace compound. Lunch at a local restaurant by the river. After lunch, take a ride in a long tailed boat, passing more historical monuments, temples and Thai houses along the river. Then travel by road to the ruins of Wat Chaiwatthanaram temple before returning to Bangkok.

6. All-Day River Cruise to Ayutthaya
Seat-in-coach tour - every day

Tour Costs: Baht 1,600.-
Tour Times: 07.30-18.00

Morning coach trip to visit the picturesque ruins of the ancient capital city of Ayutthaya, then visit the nearby beautiful Bang Pa-In Summer Palace. Return to Bangkok in a leisurely cruise along the Chao Phya River in a luxurious air-conditioned river cruiser and enjoy a buffet lunch aboard.

7. All-Day River Kwai with Death Railway
Seat-in-coach tour - every Mon/Wed/Fri/Sun only

Tour Costs: Baht 1,520 per person
Tour Times: 07.00-18.00

Visit the War Cemetery in Kanchanaburi, 80 miles northwest of Bangkok. Then take a scenic train ride along "Death Railway", crossing the "Bridge on the River Kwai". Lunch at a local restaurant and return by coach to Kanchanaburi. Visit the War Museum, then return to Bangkok.

8. All-Day River Kwai & Damnernsaduak
Seat-in-coach tour - Tue/Thu/Sat only

Tour Costs: Baht 1,600.-
Tour Times: 07.00-18.00

Travel by air-conditioned motorcoach and then by boat to Thailand's famous floating market. Also visit the Bridge over the River Kwai of film fame, the War Cemetery of Allied soldiers who perished while building the notorious Death Railway during captivity in World War II, and the War Museum. On the way back stop at Nakhon Pathom, where Buddhism is believed to have first taken root in Thailand and now the site of the country's most massive pagoda, a towering structure covered in copper-coloured tiles. (Lunch included.)

9. All-Day Damnernsaduak & Rose Garden
Seat-in-coach tour - every day

Tour Costs: Baht 1,530.- per person
Tour Times: 07.00-18.00

Visit the bustling floating market at Damnernsaduak with a stop at Nakhon Pathom where the largest Buddhist pagoda in Thailand is located. Proceed to lunch at the picturesque Rose Garden. Afterwards enjoy the colourful Thai Village Show - Buddhist ordination procession, sword - fighting, elephants at work, a folk dance and a traditional wedding ceremony.

Thailand Packages

Listed below are several tour packages that we are offering within Thailand through World Travel Services. If you are interested in booking one of these tours, contact our local organizer, Joan Sarasin, at conven@asiaaccess.net.th for more information and to obtain a reservation form.

1. Chiang Mai Package (3 Days/2 Nights)

Chiang Mai, "Rose of the North", is among the most delightful and charming cities of Thailand. With abundance of mountains, forests, and waterfalls, Chiang Mai offers year-round interests to nature lovers since it is home to many national parks and wildlife sanctuaries. It is also the Kingdom's handicraft destination, as visitors from around the world come to this northern town in search of silk, silver, and wooden products still made by hand.

Tour costs:

sharing twin room: Baht 10,000 per person ($260)
single occupancy: Baht 12,500 ($325)
extra night: Baht 2,400 single/double ($62)

Tour includes: All transfers, 2 night accommodation with American breakfast at Royal Princess Hotel, tours, and round-trip Economy-class domestic air ticket

Note: Prices will be changed if domestic air-fare increases

Day 1
07.30: Transfer to Domestic Airport, 09.20 hrs. to Chiang Mai
10.30: Arrive Chiang Mai Airport, meet and transfer to hotel
13.30: Visit a quaint and picturesque Meo hilltribe village set in an attractive hillside spot and see the Meo tribesmen dressed in their colorful traditional costumes. Also visit Wat Phra Phrathat Doi Suthep (3,500 feet above sea level), the most venerated temple in Chiang Mai
19.00: Khantoke Dinner, a typical northern Thai meal with local dance

Day 2
08.30: Visit the famous Thai Celedon Kiln and see exquisite high-fired stoneware being handmade by traditional methods. See Thai silk and cotton being woven on handlooms by the girls of Sankampaeng and the colorful paper and parasols makers of Bor Sange. See also lacquerware, teak-wood carving and silverware making
12.00: Return to the hotel
PM: At leisure Overnight

Day 3
AM: At leisure
PM: Transfer to Chiang Mai Airport, depart for Bangkok.
Arrive Bangkok, transfer to hotel or Bangkok International Airport

2. Hua Hin Package (3 Days / 2 Nights)

Hua Hin, once described as "The Grand Old Lady of Asia's Seaside Resorts", has quiet beaches, calm sea with crystal clear water and gentle lush green hills. Apart from beautiful white sand beaches, Hua Hin is also a home to numerous excellent golf courses. Optional activities include numerous water sports, horseback riding along the beach, and visit various spas.

Tour costs:

sharing twin room: Baht 11,700 per person ($304)
single occupancy: Baht 14,700 ($382)
extra night: Baht 3,800 single / Baht 4,200 double ($99 single/ $109 double)

Tour includes: All transfers, 2 night accommodation with American breakfast at Anantara Resort & Spa and tour.

Day 1
08.00: Transfer to Hua Hin by private car
11.00: Arrive Hua Hin, check-in at hotel
PM: At leisure
16.00: Hua Hin by Night Tour and seafood dinner

Day 2: Whole day tour to the Sam Roi Yod (Three Hundred Peeks) National Park, 45 km. south of Hua Hin. See the local rice fields, sugar palms orchard, pineapple plantations and prawn farms. Visit Wang Daeng, an unspoiled fishing villege. Take a steep 30-minute climb to explore a nearby hidden cave. Lunch included.

Day 3
AM: At leisure
PM: Transfer to hotel or Bangkok International Airport by private car.

3. Samui Package (3 Days / 2 Nights)

Samui Island is an ideal place to relax in peace and quiet. Besides its many wonderful beaches, the island offers other scenic attractions, including wonderful hilltop views of the sea dotted with myriads of islands, and picturesque waterfalls. Commercial development has been limited, so Samui has been able to keep its natural charm.

Tour costs :

sharing twin room: Baht 13,000 per person ($338)
single occupancy: Baht 15,300 ($398)
extra night: Baht 2,500 single / Baht 2,700 double ($65 single/$70 double)

Tour includes: All transfers, 2 night accommodation with American breakfast at Central Samui Villege, tours, and round-trip Economy-class domestic air ticket.

Note: Prices will be changed if domestic air-fare increases

Day 1
AM: Transfer to domestic Airport, fly to Samui Island
Arrive Samui Airport, meet and transfer to hotel
PM: At leisure

Day 2: Samui City Tour. Lunch included

Day 3: Transfer to Samui Airport for flight to Bangkok.
Arrive Bangkok, transfer to hotel or Bangkok International Airport

4. Phuket Package (3 Days / 2 Nights)

Phuket, Pearl of the South, is Thailand's largest island located in the tropical waters of the Indian Ocean, and the richest province in natural resources in the Kingdom. Phuket is blessed with magnificent caves and bays, palm-fringed white sandy beaches, sparkling island-dotted seas, lovely waterfalls, and parks.

Tour costs:

sharing twin room: Baht 13,500 per person ($611)
single occupancy: Baht 17,500 ($455)
extra night: Baht 4,000 single / double ($104)

Tour includes: All transfers, 2 night accommodation with American breakfast at Dusit Laguna Hotel, tours, and round-trip Economy-class domestic air ticket.

Note: Prices will be changed if domestic air-fare increases

Day 1
AM: Transfer to domestic Airport, fly to Phuket Island by Thai Airways.
Arrive Phuket Airport, meet and transfer to hotel
PM: Phuket Sightseeing Tour

Day 2
08.00: Full-day tour to Phang-Nga Bay to see Muslim Stilt Villege, a beautiful grotto and James Bond Island.
Lunch included.
17.00: Return to the hotel

Day 3
AM: At leisure
PM: Transfer to Phuket Airport for flight to Bangkok.
Arrive Bangkok Domestic Airport, transfer to hotel in Bangkok or Bangkok International Airport

5. Kanchanaburi Package (3 Days / 2 Nights) - Join Coach Tour

The 1950's world box-office hit movie "The Bridge on the River Kwai" put Kanchanaburi, a sleepy town 150 km west of Bangkok, on the world map. Half a century ago, the bridge was a link in the infamous 415 km Death Railway joining Thailand with Burma, built by the Imperial Japanese Army in WWII, employing Allied prisoners of war and forced-labor Asian coolies. Besides visiting this famous land mark,the jungle, the rugged terrain, and wild rivers now combine to make Kanchanaburi the most rewarding tourist destination for nature lovers.

Tour costs:

Double occupancy Deluxe room - River Wing: Baht 6,500 per person ($170)
Single occupancy Deluxe room - River Wing: Baht 8,000 ($208)
extra night: Baht 1,800 single / double ($47)

Tour includes: Transportation, 2 night accommodation with American breakfast at River Kwai Villege, meals as mentioned, tours, admission fees and English-speaking guide.

Day 1
06.30: Pick up from various hotels in Bangkok
07.30: Depart Bangkok for Kanchanaburi
10.00: Arrive at Kanchanaburi, visit:

World War II Museum
The cemetery of the Allied prisoners of World War II

10.30: Continue to the world-renowned Brideg over the The River Kwai
11.30: Depart Kanchanaburi for River Kwai Village by boat.
Check in at hotel upon arrival. Lunch at Jungle View Restaurant.
15.00: Take a short long tailed boat trip upstream on the Kwai Noi River.
Climb up to the Kaeng Lawa Cave to explore stone formations at one of the most beautiful caves in Thailand.
17.00: Transfer back to the hotel by boat.
19.00: European dinner at the hotel

Day 2
08.30: Depart hotel by bus for 1/2 hr. Trip to visit the "Hell Fire Pass", a mountain cutting on the railway trail which was made by allied prisoners of the World War II.
09.50: Continue to the Elephant Camp.
Arrive at the Elephant Camp for a ride on elephant back through the jungle. Then float along a rushing stream on bamboo raft. Picnic lunch will be provided
14.15: Depart the Elephant Camp and return to the hotel.
17.00: Arrive at the hotel.
19.00: European dinner at the hotel.

Day 3
AM: Free morning at the hotel
12.30: Thai lunch at Jungle View Restaurant
15.00: Depart for Bangkok
18.00: Arrive Bangkok, transfer to hotel

Packages to Southeast Asia

For packages to Southeast Asia, we have partnered with Asian Trails for the widest possible selection of tours. For a complete listing of tours, visit www.asiantrails.com. If you find a tour that interests you, please book the tour through our local organizer, Joan Sarasin, at conven@asiaacess.net.th. Bookings that go through our local organizer will be kept together, so that delegates who sign up will be placed in the same tour group.