Hidden charm of Thailand 8 Days

Bangkok

Bangkok is excess in all of its unrestrained glory. Bigger, better, more: the city is insatiable, a monster that feeds on concrete, shopping malls and diesel exhaust. The city demands that you be in the present and in the moment, not necessarily for a religious epiphany, but because the city is self-absorbed and superficial, blissfully free of wrinkle-inducing self-reflection. Smiles and sà·nùk (the Thai word for ‘fun’) are the key passports into Bangkok society. A compliment here, a joke there – the demands of social lubrication in this megalopolis are more akin to a small village than an anonymous city and a necessity for survival.

As Bangkok forcefully kneads out of you all demands for order and predictability, you’ll understand the famous Thai smile. It is the metaphorical brakes on the urban overdrive. Packed into these concrete corridors are religious spectacle, unapologetic consumerism and multi-flavoured hedonism – corrupting and purifying souls within footsteps of each other. A tragicomic confluence of human desires and aspirations best viewed through a detached smile.

Of the famous and infamous attractions, Bangkok’s best feature is its intermingling of opposites. A modern world of affluence orbits around a serene traditional core. Step outside the four-star hotels into a typical Siamese village where taxi drivers knock back energy drinks and upcountry transplants grill chicken on a streetside barbecue. Hop the Skytrain to the glitzy shopping malls where trust-fund babies examine luxury brands as carefully as the housewives inspect produce at the open-air markets. Or appreciate the attempts at enlightenment at the city’s famous temples and doorstep shrines, or simple acts of kindness amid the urban bustle.

You can jump between all of these worlds – wining and hobnobbing at a chic club, eating at a streetside market, getting plucked and pummelled into something more beautiful, or sweating profusely on a long unplanned march. Bangkok is an urban connoisseur’s dream come true.

Hua Hin    Hua Hin features a beautiful, powdery sand beach, numerous seaside seafood restaurants, a lively night market, numerous beach activities, and some great inland activities, not least of which is golfing at some of Thailand’s most renowned courses. Hua Hin is also the site of Thailand’s most popular music festival, the Hua Hin Jazz Festival. Just down the coast at Takiab Bay visitors can take seaside horseback rides and visit a hilltop Buddhist temple with a spectacular view.    Accommodation along the beach and on the streets leading away from the sea range from simple guesthouses to luxury resorts, and includes some of the finest spa-retreats in the world. Hua Hin is accessible via train, bus, or car and the seaside community of 60,000 residents epitomizes warm and welcoming Thai hospitality.    The seaside town of Hua Hin, meaning “Stone Head”, was named after the rocks at the north end of the powdery sand beach. Hua Hin became Thailand's first beach resort after a train line was laid in the 1920 to provide access from Bangkok and King Rama VII established his summer retreat in the area. With a 5 kilometer-long beach that features numerous activities and hosts an annual jazz festival, the laid back and hospitable town of Hua Hin continues to draw both tourists and Thais.    In addition to beach activities, outstanding seafood restaurants, and a vibrant night market, Hua Hin is well known for having some of the finest golf courses in Thailand, as well as some of the most renowned resorts and destination spas in the world.

Operation : Daily departure

Duration : 8 days / 7 nights

Tour route : Bangkok - Huahin - Bangkok

Brief description : Thailand is often referred to as a golden land, not because there is precious metal buried underground but because the country gives off a certain lustre, be it the fertile rice fields of the central plains, white sandy beaches or the warm hospitality of its citizenry....

Day 01: Upon arrival Bangkok     Upon arrival in Bangkok, meet & greet our tour guide and then transfer to the hotel and free at leisure.    Overnight in Bangkok       

Day 02: Jim Thompson House – Suan Pakkard Palace Museum (B)     After breakfast at the hotel, first place for your visit is Jim Thompson House which is located opposite to the International Stadium. Former residence of Pioneer in Thai Silk industry, now converted into a museum. The house itself is of traditional Thai architecture. Then proceed to Suan Pakkard Palace, formerly the residence of Princess Chumbhot of Nagara Svarga, a complex of five traditional Thai Houses overlooking a beautifully kept garden. Each building houses a large collection of Asian art and antiques, with one building exhibiting a collection of seashells, mineral crystals and painted pottery from Ban Chiang.    Overnight in Bangkok       

Day 03: Phra Pathom Chedi Temple – Sanamchan Palace (King Rama VI Palace) (B)      After breakfast, pick up and transfer to Phra Pathom Chedi, Nakorn Pathom Province. The name Phra Pathom Chedi means Holy chedi (stupa) of the beginning. The stupa at the location is first mentioned in scriptures of the year 675. However archaeological findings date a first stupa to the 4th century. In the 11th century it was overbuilt with a Khmer style prang, which was later overgrown by the jungle. The ruin was visited several times by the later King Mongkut during his time as a monk and after his coronation he ordered the building of a new and more magnificent chedi at the site. After 17 years of construction it was finished in 1870 and the population of nearby Nakhon Chai Si was ordered to move to the newly created town around the chedi. Later on, continue to Sanam Chan Palace consists of a number of buildings on a site in Nakhon Pathom, Thailand. The palace was built from 1907 to 1911 by King Vajiravudh (Rama VI) and has a view of Phra Pathom Chedi. The buildings are in a mixture of European and Thai styles. Part of the site is now a campus of Silpakorn University. As of 2006, several of the royal buildings are open to the public. After that, return to the hotel and free on own.    Overnight in Bangkok      

  Day 04: Wat Pho – Wat Trimitre - China Town (B)     After breakfast, first place your visit is Wat Pho or known as the temple of Reclining Lord Buddha Image. Then, walking to Phra Maha Chedi Si Rajakarn, a group of four huge pagodas surrounded by white wall with Thai-Chinese style sheltered gates decorated with colour-glazed tiles and Chinese rockeries guardians. Later, proceed to Thai Traditional Medical Science School and enjouy a body massage nearby before transfer to floating restaurant for lunch. Then, continue to Wat Trimitre or known as Temple of Golden Buddha Image weight 5.5 tons which was found when the port of Bangkok was being expanded and dating back more than 200 years. Later on, visit to the nearby vibrant market at China Town or known as “Yaowarat Market”. The most colorful of Yaowarat is Chinese Foods where you can easily find some at any local restaurants around there especially in the evenning (Yaowarat market is always very busy at around 8 – 11 pm. daily). After enjoy Chinese food, return to the hotel and free at leisure.    Overnight in Bangkok      

  Day 05: Bangkok – Petchaburi ( Phranakorn Kiri Palace – Wat Khao Bandai-Id) (B)    After breakfast, drive to Petchaburi Town. Visit to Phetchaburis well-known landmark, the locally known as Khao Wang (Palace Hill) is located up on a 92-meter high verdant hill, in the city of Phetchaburi . It was built under the royal command of King Rama IV and in 1860 became his summer palace. The whole compound is comprised of royal halls, palaces, temples and other buildings which were elegantly constructed in a well-balanced Thai, neoclassical Western and Chinese architectural styles. Later on, visit Khao Bandai. It is situated 2 kilometers in the south of Khao Wang. It is the site of an ancient temple of the Ayutthaya Period Wat Khao Bandai It. This hill is 121 meters high and offers several stunning natural attractions (caves) such as Tham Prathum, Tham Phra Chao Sua and Tham Phra Phuttha Saiyat. After that, drive to Hua Hin to check in and overnight at the hotel.    Overnight in Hua Hin         

Day 06: Hua Hin Klai Kangwon Summer Palace – Khao Takiap Vantage Point. (B)      After breakfast, heading out to Hua Hin - 281 kilometers south of Bangkok. Hua Hin, which literally means stone head in Thai, is the oldest beach resort of the country and is still very popular. Clean white sand, crystal clear water and a tranquil atmosphere has continued to attract tourists in search of peaceful and relaxing holidays. Have a superb seafood lunch at well-known restaurant before continue to Klai Kangwon Palace (the palace literally means far from worries). This summer palace consisting of 3 Spanish style mansions facing the sea was constructed in the north of Hua Hin under the Royal Command of King Rama VII. Later on, continue to Khao Takiap Vantage Point. This hill is situated at the southern end of Hua Hin, only 4 kilometers from the town. Visitors can go up the hilltop to enjoy a bird's eye view of Hua Hin, which is one of the delightful views either during the day or night. There is a temple call Wat Khao Takiap situated on top of the hill. The giant golden Buddha Statue standing against the cliff has become a landmark of Khao Takiap.    Overnight in Hua Hin        

Day 07 : Kaengkrajan National Park (Pa La-Ou Waterfall) – Night Market (B)      This beautiful 11-tiered rock waterfall is located in the densely verdant forest in the area of Kaengkrajan National Park where various kinds of birds and butterflies are found. Especially in the morning. Some levels of the waterfall can be reached along a trekking trail parallel to the stream. The best time to watch butterflies is from 7.00 a.m. to 10.00 a.m. In addition, visitors may be able to spot wild animals and several species of rare birds. The best time to visit the fall is from November to April when the fall is at its most beautiful. The waterfall can be reached by local transportation from Hua Hin for a distance of 63 kilometers. Late afternoon, return to the town to visit the Hua Hin Railway Station. Built in the reign of King Rama VI, the station is one of Thailand 's oldest railway stations. In addition, it is one of the country's most beautiful train stations with unique architecture. Its most striking feature is the splendid Royal Waiting Room constructed in the Thai architectural style. The room was relocated from Sanam Chan Palace in Nakhon Pathom Province during the reign of King Rama VI. Later, visit at Hua Hin Night Market. The most colorful spot in Hua Hin during the night. The market offers a wide variete of food, drinks, deserts, memorable souvenirs and all kinds of freshly-prepared dishes. Famous are Pad Thai, Hoi Thod, fresh seafood, Indian roti bread, coconut ice cream, etc. (the list is endless). This market will delight visitors wishing to savor the real taste of Hua Hin.    Overnight in Hua Hin       

Day 08: Hua Hin – Departure (B)      After breakfast, free on own until the check out time and then transfer to Bangkok Airport for flight depart to the next destination.