Thailand Express

 

Bangkok	Park Plaza Sukhumvit	2 nights
Phitsanulok	Amarin Lagoon	1 night
Phrae	Phoomthai Garden	1 night
Golden Triangle	Anantara Resort	1 night
Chiang Mai	Rati Lanna Resort	2 nights

10 days from £935

excluding flights

DAY 1 - Depart from UK.

Recommended flight from London: Thai Airways International from London Heathrow (see below). If you are travelling from a country other than the UK we would be happy to give you guidance on your flight options.

DAY 2 - Arrive Bangkok.

On arrival in Bangkok you will be met outside customs by arepresentative of World Discovery and taken by private car direct toyour hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure.

DAY 3 - Bangkok.

After a leisurely breakfast , your guide will meet you at your hotel and take you to the fascinating heritage home that belonged to the late Kukrit Pramoj, a famous politician, journalist, poet, playwright and much else besides who is regarded as one of Thailand’s leading figures of the twentieth century. His traditional Thaihouse houses a lovely collection of antiques, artifacts and items used in the classical Thai arts which he gathered up during his life. Continue to the Grand Palace, arguably the most important cultural icon in the land. Once the royal abode, the palace is today used mainly for ceremonial functions. You are allowed inside to see the Emerald Buddha, the displays of royal artifacts and memorabilia,and wall decorations. Continue on foot to the Royal Navy Club for a simple Thai lunch. Board your private boat nearby, and cross the Chao Phraya River to the Thonburi district, where you will visit the Wangderm Palace and the Royal Barge Museum. The grand procession of Royal barges is seen only once a year during His Majesty theKing’s birthday celebrations (early December). See the actual boats in their dry docks. Now it's time to relax and experience life on the water with a beer or soft drink as your boat continues along Bangkok’s old klongs (canals) and waterways. Today Bangkok is a modern cosmopolitan city but not many decades ago huge areas of the city were still accessed primarily by these kinds of canals. Return to your hotel in the late afternoon.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch.

DAY 4 - Ayutthaya.  Drive to Phitsanulok.

Drive north of Bangkok to visit the ancient capital of Ayutthaya. The glory of the Ayutthaya Empire (1350-1767 AD) is evident in the remains of temples such as Wat Phra Sri Sanphet and Wat Chai Wattanaram. A further visit is to Wat Yai Chai Mongkol with its white reclining Buddha and massive pagoda. In the afternoon continue to Phitsanulok, stopping en route for a walking tour of a typical Thai village.
Meals included: Full breakfast.

DAY 5 - Sukhothai.  Si Satchanalai.  Continue to Phrae.

Sukhothai was the capital of Thailand from 1240 until the early 15th century; this morning you will visit the attractive ruins before continuing to Sukhothai's twin city of Si Satchanalai, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with some superb structures including the Wat Chang Lom or 'Elephant Shrine' (pictured left).  After your visit continue to Phrae, an ancient but little visited moated city with peaceful lanes filled with temples and traditional teak houses which is renowned for its excellent woodcarving.
Meals included: Full breakfast.

DAY 6 - Phrae.  Drive to the 'Golden Triangle'.

Not to be missed in Phrae is the Baan Pratabjai, a house consisting of hundreds of beautifully carved teak pillars in the graceful 'Lanna' Thai style.  Your journey continues north to the famous 'Golden Triangle', the place on the mighty Mekong River where the borders of Laos, Burma and Thailand converge.  In the afternoon take an enjoyable cruise by long-tailed motor-launch on the river.
Meals included: Full breakfast.

DAY 7 - Mae Sai.  Ban Lorcha.  On to Chiang Mai.

After breakfast drive to Mae Sai, Thailand's northernmost town, right on the Burmese border.  Explore the interesting market before continuing to Ban Lorcha, an Akha community-based project run by the villagers, where you can gain insight into the Akha tribe's way of life in a respectful fashion. In the afternoon drive to Chiang Mai, Thailand's second city, once the capital of ancient Lanna, 'the Land of a Million Rice Fields'.
Meals included: Full breakfast.

DAY 8 - Chiang Mai.

After breakfast begin your guided exploration of Chiang Mai. You will start at the Arts and Cultural Centre where an orientation presentation will help you better understand the history, arts and culture of this northern region. Next visit Wat Chedi Luang (pictured),  home to 'The Pillar of the City', a totem used in ancient Thai fertility rites because the temple itself marks the exact centre of Chiang Mai. After lunch in a local restaurant, you will go up to the summit of Doi Suthep Mountain (1,600 metres) to visit the 600 year old temple of Wat Phra Doi Suthep.  Your guide will show you how modern Chiang Mai people ‘make merit’ using incense and flowers. You may join in merit making if you like. The ascent to the temple is via a magnificent Naga (dragon-headed serpent) staircase of 306 steps (a lift is available if this is too strenuous an option). On a clear day, the views over the city are magnificent.   Return down the mountain and visit the home of author and ceramics expert Mr. John Shaw for refreshments and a chance to admire his outstanding private collection of13th-century ceramics. The former British Consul in Chiang Mai, John is the acknowledged expert on Lanna Ceramics. Return to your hotel. In the late evening you can visit Chiang Mai's famous night bazaar.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch.

DAY 9 - Depart for UK.

At leisure.  In the evening transfer to Chiang Mai Airport for the flight to Bangkok to connect with your flight to the UK.
Meals included: Full breakfast.

DAY 10 - Arrive UK.

Your flight departs in the early morning and arrives in London the same morning.

International and onward flights.

We recommend the services of Thai Airways International from London Heathrow toBangkok, and also for the Thai domestic flights. All flights can be booked via the Thai Airways International website using the 'Multi-city' facility.  Current timings (subject topossible change) are as follows:
Heathrow/Bangkok. Depart at 21.35; arrive Bangkok at 15.55 (next day)
Chiang Mai/Bangkok.  Depart at 21.00; arrive Bangkok at 22.20
Bangkok/Heathrow. Depart at 01.10; arrive Heathrow at 07.15

Thailand Express (Tour Reference: WDTH001)
2010 Departures
Price per person based on a minimum of two persons travelling together:

Daily departures	Price
Jan to Mar	£990
May to Sep	£935
Oct to Dec	£1030

Single Room Supplement on request.

The price includes:

• Hotel and boat accommodation as listed above in twin-bedded rooms with private facilities.
• 7 full breakfasts and 2 lunches as shown in the itinerary
• All transportation and sightseeing as shown, including entrance fees
• The services of private guides for all included sightseeing

Not included in the price:

• International and domestic flights (see our recommendation above). We are happy to discuss the flights with you and give you further guidance
• Airport taxes
• Tipping.

A deposit of £250 per person is required at the time of booking. Thebalance of the price for your travel arrangements must be paid at least8 weeks before your departure date.