DISCOVER THAILAND

by Margaret Zellers

Beginning in Bangkok
Three days seems minimum for time in Bangkok, a cosmopolitan city, where the Royal Grand Palace and the Emerald Buddha are part of the basic city tour, and shopping and exploring on one's own warrant a full day. Another day's excursion would begin with the floating market at Damnoen Saduak, where the river seems filled with gunnel-to-gunnel narrow long boats piled high with produce. The floating market is at its best very early in the morning, near the start of the day's commerce. (Tours to the floating market usually include lunch at the Rose Garden, a park on the outskirts of the city, followed by a cultural show, with Thai music and dancers.) 
 

Beyond the Cities
One exceptional way to experience Thailand beyond the cities is along the Chao Phraya river, Thailand's equivalent to Egypt's Nile or China's Yangtze. The river flows south through nine provinces to the Gulf of Thailand. Three capitals—Ayutthaya (founded in the 14th century), Thon Buri, and Bangkok—are along the river. They, and the many villages where Thai lifestyles are still honored and farming, arts and crafts are practiced in traditional ways, make a journey along any portion of the river a unique adventure.

Special Interest
Ask your travel agent about ecotourism itineraries and adventure programs. You can enjoy the marine and land national parks, the unique dive sites, and the many little-known areas to the north and south of the country's well-known capital. Special interest programs can be assembled for biking, hiking, canoeing, and elephant trekking, as well as for Thai cooking lessons and for health tourism, focusing on the increasing numbers of spas (which are usually affiliated with hotels) and yoga centers.

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