FLOATING MARKET : AMPHAWA TALAT NAM

Talat Nam Yam Yen Amphawa is an afternoon floating market by the canal near Wat Amphawan Chetiyaram. On Friday, Saturday and Sunday, during 12.00 a.m. – 8.00 p.m., the Amphawa Canal is occupied by vendors who pack their boats with food and drinks, such as fried sea mussel, noodles, coffee, O-liang (iced black coffee), sweets, etc. There are also things for sale on wheelbarrows on the bank. Visitors can enjoy a cosy atmosphere and music broadcast by the community members, explore the market, have food, and hire a boat to see fireflies at night.

To get there By car Take Highway 35 (Thon Buri – Pak Tho) to Km 63. Drive through the town of Samut Songkhram to take Highway 325 (Samut Songkhram – Bang Phae). At Km 36-37, take a left turn toward the King Rama II Memorial Park. The Market is near the King Rama II Memorial Park.By bus Take the Bangkok – Ratchaburi – Damnoen Saduak bus to get off at Amphawa Market.

CRUISING THE CANALS, ROLLING ON THE RIVER

Bangkok used to be known as the “Venice of the Far East” for all the watery arteries connecting to the main vein – the Rivers of Kings. Taking a long-tail boat tour of a few of these canals on the Thon buri side of the river, like Bangkok Noi and Bangkok Yai with breaks at the Temple of Dawn and the Royal Berges Museum is a great way to immerse yourself in Thai and Siamese history. And buzzing down the waterways in a long-tail boat, past canal-side houses and floating petrol stations, inspires a real buzz of excitement you won’t find anywhere else. Another historic voyage is along the canal of Khlong Om to the island of Ko Kret, home to a thriving community of Mon artisans, who sell the fruits of their labours, like sandstone sculptures, for very reasonable prices. To get there, take the river taxi to the last station, Nonthaburi, and charter your own long-tail boat from the pier

INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Suvarnabhumi Airport

Flying is the most convenient mode of transportation for most visitors traveling to Thailand. Domestic flights are also easy and convenient, cutting down on journey time. With Bangkok serving as the international travel hub of SE Asia, the capital serves as the landing port for numerous international airlines, most with direct flights from their destinations. Some chartered and regional flights may land at one of the other international airports within Thailand, consisting of Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Hat Yai, Phuket, and Ubon Ratchatani. The country's national airline is Thai Airways. Airport departure taxes for international departures costs 500 baht/person. The check-in counters open 2 hours and close half an hour prior departure time.

Domestic Travel Domestic travel during public holidays and on weekends, particularly to popular destinations, should be booked well in advance for all modes of transportation. Booking is particularly difficult during the Songkran Holiday and New Year's Holiday. Air : Local carriers Thai Airways(TG) and Bangkok Airways (PG) fly to most major provincial airports beyond 250 km distance from Bangkok. Thai Airways' 2 most popular routes are Chiang Mai and Phuket. Services to Koh Samui and Sukhothai are only provided by Bangkok Airways. Other smaller local carriers include Angel Air (mainly servicing Phuket) and PB Air which flies to fewer destinations. Air Andaman services is limited to the Southern cities only. The domestic terminal is located at the southern end of the Bangkok International Airport. Normally, check-ins for domestic flight is one hour prior to departure time and closes half an hour before flight time. Departure tax has already been added to your ticket fare.

Suvarnabhumi Airport Reservation / Ticket Tickets can be purchased through travel agencies (cheaper for international flights, same for domestic flights) or by booking with the airlines themselves, either via phone, internet, or e-ticketing kiosks (Thai Airways only).

TRANSPORTATION IN THAILAND

Transport in Thailand is extremely well-organized and makes the whole stay in Thailand comfortable and easy. The air, rail, bus, road and water transport is very competent. The different islands and cities are connected to each other and the tourists can easily move about the country. Bookings and reservations should be done preferably in advance to avoid the rush at the last minute.

Trains

The main station is Hua Lamohong. This beautiful 100 yaeat old building is designed in the shape of an arc. The Italian architect who designed the station was also responsible for the marble Ananda Samakhom Throne Hall. For information, please contact the Travel Service Unit, State Railway of Thailand.

Buses Plentiful and cheap are the regular non-air buses. Air-conditioned buses and microbuses are only a fraction more expensive. A bus route map is available at most hotels, bookshops and the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s office on New Phetchaburi Road.

Subway Opened in 2004, the city’s new subway system (MRTA) connects many of the top tourist attractions with accommodation areas, markets, and the business district. The trains run from 6 a.m. to midnight, daily.

BTS Skytrain Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTS) provides safe, cheap and rapid rides to popular areas of Bangkok. The service is excellent and the stations and trains are immaculately clean. There are two lines, interesting at Siam Square. It is the best way to avoid traffic and pollution. You can travel with BTS and see all the sights during your holiday visit.

Taxis Hotel taxis have set rates. Street taxis known as “Taxi Meters” charge a minimum of 35 baht for the first 2 kilometres and 5 baht for every following kilometer.

Tuk-Tuk These 3 wheelers are popular for short journeys. Fares must be bargained in advance. They are not much cheaper than taxis and perhaps the odd mode of transportation is the

attraction.

JIM THOMSON HOUSE

An early partner in the Oriental Hotel, Jim Thomson, an American serving here, decided to devote his energies to developing a thriving Thai silk industry. Due to his efforts, Thai silk is now famous all over the world and justify renowned for its quality, colours and patterns. Thompson, trained as architect and gardener, also built a fine collection of traditional Thai houses, fashioned into one dwelling where he lived during his lifetime. After his tragic death, the house remains preserved as a museum containing a priceless collection of Asian object d’art. The museum, located centrally at Soi Kasemsan 2 on Rama I Road, is accessible bu bus, taxi and the sky train. Entrance fee is 100 baht. The museum opens daily from 9.00 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. with the last tour at 4.30 p.m.

SONGKRAN FESTIVAL

Songkran Festival : Thai Traditional New Year 13-16 April

This is a time of joyful family reunions and Bangkok half-empties as people head for their hometown to visit their beloved ones. Traditionally, children pour water onto their elder’s hands and invite their blessings before going off to happily splash around elsewhere in town or near the rivers and canals. At Sanam Luang in Bangkok, the highly revered Buddha image “Phra Buddhist Sihing” will be displayed and bathed by thousands of Buddhists. The celebrations involve water fights but it is April and hot, so it is a good-humored way of cooling down. Khao San Road, in the Banglamphu area, it is one of the city’s high watermarks to experience the water-throwing activities between locals and tourists. Those who New Year Celebrations

BANGKOK'S CHINATOWN

This area, near the Chao Phraya (the River of Kings), is a wonderful way to cool down after a day of overheated shopping in Yaowarat , Bangkok’s Chinatown, famous for its gold shops, street markets, and Chinese-style temples. Some tours of the canals in the vicinity also include the market as a sweet-smelling stopover on their itineraries. After a visit here, you’ll feel fresh as a daisy.

LET YOURSELF BLOOM

Pak Hklong Talat, the leading flower market in Bangkok, comes in a painter’s palette of colours- orchids of every hue, garlands of marigold, birds of paradise, bouquets of roses from Chiang Mai, Chrysanthemums, and the florist, ceremonial ornaments known as Bai Si, constructed from banana leaves and crowned with flowers. What many travelers do is buy a special flower box there, spray the flowers before boarding, put moist tissues around them, and carry them on as hand luggage. It’s a great way to save money and make a dazzling arrival. The market is busy during the day and at night, but it’s really blooming in the early morning hours when vendors are setting up shop and the streets are filled with carts and trucks full of flowers.