Attractions information

Ampawa Village

Ampawa is a district in Samut Songkram province, which is only an hour and a half from Bangkok.

Although it is the smallest of the 76 provinces in Thailand, it has an amazing network of 330 canals and on Saturday and Sundays has its own Floating Market in the evenings.

In Ampawa many pleasant Thai families have opened their homes so that visitors can get a glimpse of their enviable lifestyle. Homestays cater for romantic couples, small groups of friends and large groups of students, with accommodation to suit.

The best way to get around Ampawa is to walk and there are many picturesque lanes which run along the canals. Teakwood homes are built on stilts and inside, you'll find these homes in immaculate condition.

The night-time boat trip on the Mae Klong River lets you enter the enchanting world of fireflies swarming in the trees along the river bank. It's an unbelievable sight, as entire trees are aglow with flashing yellow lights.

A visit to the temple at Wat Bangkae Noi is a must because the interior walls & ceiling of the main chapel have intricate teakwood carvings and time spent here will leave you in awe of the fine craftsmanship found in these carvings.

Ampawa is famous for its TaoTan Palm Sugar and also for the hand-painted porcelain crockery called Benjarong.

Attractions information

Kanchanaburi Province

Kanchanaburi Province which borders Myanmar (Burma) to the north-west is the third largest Thailand's of seventy six provinces.

It is located 130 km west of Bangkok and has a population of about 735,000 of which 54,000 live in Kanchanaburi town itself. This is a most picturesque part of Thailand.

Kanchanaburi town was originally established by King Rama I as a first line of defence against the Burmese, who might use the old invasion route through the Three Pagodas Pass on the Thai-Burma border.

The magnificent landscape & charming beauty of Kanchanaburi have resulted in major tourist attractions including the well-known Erawan Waterfalls, caves which were once inhabited by Neolithic man, pristine national parks, tranquil rivers, virgin forests, and reservoir.

Together, they offer an intriguing experience whether you are visiting for the first-time or returning for another visit.

Whatever your personal interest: fishing, rafting, canoeing, mountain biking, bird-watching, star-gazing, golfing, elephants, tigers, jungle trekking or even living on bamboo rafts, Kanchanaburi takes pride in offering them all.

Local residents of Kanchanaburi are engaged in agricultural activities as this is one of the most fertile provinces. Most of the locals are of Thai ancestry with notable Mon and Karen minorities.

Attractions information

Ayutthaya Sacred City

Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya "The Sacred City of Ayutthaya" was founded in 1351 and reached its apex in the 16th century. It is an island embraced by three rivers, the Chao Phraya, Lopburi and Pa Sak.

In the Golden Age which lasted 417 years, Ayutthaya was the historic capital of Thailand.
The territory of the Kingdom of Ayutthaya extended far beyond present-day Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar. During the 17th century, foreign visitors, traders and diplomats alike, claimed Ayutthaya to be the most illustrious and glittering city that they had ever visited. That ended forever in 1767 when it was conquered by the Burmese and completely destroyed.

Nowadays, visitors to Ayutthaya, which is only 86 kilometers north of Bangkok, can marvel at its grandeur reflected through numerous magnificent structures and ruins concentrated in and around the city island. The temple compounds are still awe-inspiring even in disrepair and a visit here is memorable and a good beginning for those drawn to the relics of history.

The architecture of Ayutthaya is a fascinating mix of Khmer, or ancient Cambodian style, and early Sukhothai style.

Most importantly, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Historical Park, an extensive historical site in the heart of Ayutthaya city, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Attractions information

Wat Phra Kaew Emerald Temple

Wat Phra Kaew is regarded as the most sacred Buddhist temple in Thailand and is within the grounds of the Grand Palace.Unlike other temples it does not contain living quarters for monks. Rather, it has only the highly decorated holy buildings, statues, and pagodas. Strict dress code applies here.

The construction of the temple started when King Rama I moved the capital from Thonburi to Bangkok in 1785. The main building is the central ubosoth, which houses the Emerald Buddha.

Legend holds that the statue originated in India, but it first surfaced in the vassal Kingdom of Cambodia and was given as a gift to the King of Ayutthaya in the 15th century 1434.

The image disappeared when Burmese raiders sacked Ayutthaya and the image was feared lost.

Important Information

A strict dress code applies here. The Grand Palace and The Temple of the Emerald Buddha is Thailand's most sacred site. Visitors must be properly dressed before being allowed entry to the temple. Men must wear long pants and shirts with sleeves. No tank tops or singlets. Women must be similarly modestly dressed. No see-through clothes or bare shoulders. No shorts or tights. Proper shoes must be worn. No flip flops.