Thailand Tour 2018
We flew to Bangkok via Dubai from Manchester Airport with Emirates onboard the Airbus A380. The onboard experience was excellent as you could sit back and enjoy up to 3,000 channels of entertainment, savour gourmet meals and connect to the onboard Wi-Fi.
After arriving into Bangkok our guide for the week was waiting for us in arrivals and we were then transported to the 5-star Centara Grand, Central Plaza Ladprao. The hotel has a fantastic roof top bar called the Blue Sky which offered breath taking views across the city. You could take a dip in the hotels outdoor pool, a welcome retreat after a day exploring the cities sites.
During our time in Bangkok we took a longtail boat tour through Bangkok’s canals to discover the city. Our journey started along the Chao Phraya River, where you could admire the passing skyline where glittering pagodas stand in the shadows of the cities skyscrapers. We then made our way through the network of canals where we observed local villages and traditional houses along the route.
A stop at the Royal Barge Museum was included and we enjoyed viewing the spectacular boats used by Thailand Royal family to mark special occasions. Our final stop was the Wat Arun temple, an amazing site along the river bank.
During the evening we visited the Asiatique Night Bazaar and river front. The area offers a fantastic shopping experience and a range of bars and restaurants along the river front, so you could sit back and watch the world go by. Our evening ended at the Muay Thai Live, an enthralling stage show of Thai boxing, suitable for all audiences.
The following morning, we were transported to the beach resort of Hua Hin, approximately a 3-hour drive from Bangkok city. Our hotel was the 5-star Centara Beach Resort and Villas, a fantastic hotel on the beach, with an elegant colonial-style and remarkable service. The hotel also features four outdoor pools and beautifully landscaped gardens.
The following morning, we visited a local food market to look at the types of wonderful foods used in traditional Thai cooking. We then had our own Thai cooking course and had the chance to sample our own creations. Later that evening we then visited a nearby hotel, the excellent 5-star Anantara Hua Hin, set in a tropical jungle paradise of 14 acres and located alongside a pristine white sandy beach. A fantastic choice for honeymooners.
The following morning, we travelled to the 3-star River Kwai Resotel. We were transferred by boat from the pier to the hotel which is nestled on the banks of the river. The resort has a swimming pool, bar and restaurant and is surrounded by tropical gardens.
Later that day we were collected by boat and taken to the Mon Village to witness the way of living of the Mon people, an ethnic minority who originate from Myanmar. They continue to live peacefully and practice their traditional way of living.
We then took a bamboo raft back to the hotel and those feeling brave enough could jump into the river and let the current take you back to the hotel. A definite highlight of the trip! That evening we enjoyed a cultural Mon dance show, a performance you would witness only in this area of Thailand.
The following morning on route back to Bangkok we stopped at Hell Fire Pass, which is part of the Death Railway and cuts through the stone mountain. Many prisoners of war died during the construction of the railway and the visitor centre at the site gives you the opportunity to learn about the hardship faced by those people forced to work during the construction. A very interesting and emotional look back at history.
We then arrived at our final hotel, The 5-star Centara Grand Centralworld in Bangkok. The hotel is in the very heart of Bangkok’s shopping district. The hotel offers a wide range of facilities and the highlight being the roof top pool, offering wonderful views across the city.
That evening we enjoyed an exhilarating Tuk-Tuk ride in convoy through the city to Chinatown and enjoyed sampling a range of seafood dishes at a local restaurant. The evening was ended with a visit to the vibrant nearby street market.
Thailand was a truly amazing country with exceptionally friendly people and so much to see and do. I can’t wait to visit this remarkable country again soon.