Gay Group Trip: Thailand’s Temples And Culture

Today we’ll travel to Samut Songkhram province. Here we’ll explore the Maeklong Railway Market and the famous Damnoen Saduak floating market. We’ll take a boat down the canal and see how the locals live, including farmers working in the salt fields.

We’ll then head to Kanchanaburi, famed as the site of the “Bridge over the River Kwai”. We’ll catch a glimpse of WW2 history at Kanchanaburi War Cemetery and JEATH War Museum. This will give us the chance to learn about the prisoners of war who built the treacherous Thai-Burma Railway.

Lots of action today. We’ll head for a bamboo rafting adventure down the River Kwai. The Hellfire Pass Memorial Museum is a must-see, as is the vast Erawan Waterfall by the Kwai Tai River. We’ll have some time to enjoy the serene setting before heading back to Saiyok.

Today we’ll take a trip to Thailand’s historic capital, Ayutthaya. It’s a splendid, ruined city that served as the key economic and political hub of Thailand until the Burmese invaded in 1767. They raised the city to the ground and it was largely abandoned. Visiting Ayutthaya today allows you to glimpse into Thailand’s long and fascinating history.

In Ayutthaya we’ll explore the Chinese district, the Muslim quarter and the Japanese village. taste quirky delicacies like candy floss roti. After lunch, we’ll visit take a trip down the Chao Phraya River on a teak rice barge. Onboard we’ll have some classic Thai food as we cruise around Ayutthaya. Back on dry land, we’ll visit Bang Pa-In Summer Palace, a summer residence of the Royal Family.

Today we’ll drive back to Bangkok airport and transfer to Chiang Rai. Upon arrival we’ll go for a cruise down the Mae Kok River. You’ll be impressed by the spectacular mountain scenery.

There’s a lot to see in Chiang Rai. We’ll visit Santi Khiri, a former retreat for Burmese soldiers. We’ll also visit old villages and bucolic tea plantations. On our travels we’ll visit the village of the Akha ethnic group. The following day we’ll visit the extraordinary White Temple of Chiang Rai. It’s a modern temple with a classic style and it’s quite a dazzling sight to behold. We’ll then visit some very old relics at Wat Phra That Doi Suthep.

Enjoy a tasting menu at the cultural centre in the evening. We’ll have a Khantoke and sample some local delicacies.

Fantastic beasts and where to find them… Mae Taman Elephant Camp, to be precise. See elephants going about their business and then we’ll go for a short hike through the mountain to the river. An ox cart ride will convey us to our al fesco lunch.

Today we’ll fly to Phuket and transfer to Khao Sok National Park. We’ll take a canoe ride down Khao Sok River, have a coffee in a bamboo stick with bamboo cups. At night we’ll sleep in an eco-lodge in the jungle.

Morning boat ride down Cheow Lan Lake. We’ll then pick up the pace and head for a walk in the jungle. Keep an eye out for exotic plants and animals. At 500 Rai Lake we’ll take a bamboo raft over to a cave packed with stalagmites to look like coral. We’ll have lunch at a floating restaurant and then take a boat back to the hotel.

On our last full day we’ll visit Khao Sok National Park and head for a 3-hour hike. We’ll have lunch at a mountain view restaurant. It’ll then be time to pack up and head to Phuket for our farewell dinner.

It’s our last day in Thailand. You’ll be transferred to the airport for your return flight.