Located in the capital of Bangkok, the Grand Palace was built in 1752. Located inside the Grand Palace is the Wat Phra Kaew, the temple of the Emerald Buddha. With an entrance fee of only six U.S. Dollars, tourists can visit the palace that served as the Thai king and royal court's residence for over 150 years. Guided tours are available, but tourists are free to take their own tours to view the Grand Palace grounds. The palace is open from 8:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. Proper dress is required to enter this sacred site. No exposed shoulders, transparent clothing or exposed feet are allowed. Visitors will not be allowed admission into the Grand Palace inappropriately dressed. A clothing booth is located at the Grand Palace where tourists can place a deposit on proper clothing.
The Grand Palace
Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang
Phra Nakhon, Bangkok, Thailand
bangkok.com
The Wat Pho temple is home to the world's largest reclining Buddha. Also located in Bangkok, the reclining Buddha is 150 feet long. The feet of the reclining Buddha are made of mother of pearl and measure 9.8 feet. It costs a mere 60 U.S. cents to enter the Wat Pho temple. The Wat Pho is open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Similar to the Grand Palace, the Wat Pho Temple also enforces a conservative dress code. Thai massages are also available on the Wat Pho Temple grounds. A 30-minute massage costs about $3.70, and a one-hour massage costs approximately six dollars.
Wat Pho
2 Sanamchai Road
Pranakorn, Bangkok, 10200, Thailand
02-2812831
bangkok-guide.z-xxl.com
The Chao Phraya river runs through Bangkok. The Chao Phraya river ferry is a cheap mode of transportation and allows tourists to view Bangkok from the river. On the local line, depending upon travel distance, fares are between 28 and 40 U.S. cents. From the ferry, tourists can ride with locals to catch a glimpse of Nonthaburi province, Wat Soi Thong temple, and the Memorial Bridge. The Chao Phraya local line runs from 6:20 a.m. until 5:30 p.m.
Located in the southern peninsula of Thailand, Krabi province is just over four miles from the tropical beaches of Ao Nang. Elephant trekking through the lush jungle surrounding Krabi is another cheap tour available in Thailand. Two different elephant trekking packages are available. For 24 U.S. dollars for adults, and 12 U.S. dollars for children, tourists can enjoy a one-hour elephant ride, a nature walk, a swim in the river and an elephant bath. A half-day tour costs 52 dollars for adults and 27 dollars for kids. The half-day tour includes two hours of elephant riding, swimming in the river, a walk in the jungle, observing fish in the river, a Thai restaurant lunch, a car transfer and an elephant bath.
Krabi Travel
386/3 Moo 2
Ao-Nang Chong Plee Road
T. Aonang, A. Muang
Krabi 81000
Thailand
+66(0) 75-638-260-1
secure.asiawebdirect.com
From Krabi, a day trip to Koh Phi Phi is another cheap tour available in Thailand. Surrounded by the Andaman Sea, Koh Phi Phi is the location of the famous island scenes from the film "The Beach," starring Leonardo DiCaprio. For 68 U.S. dollars for adults and 34 U.S. dollars for kids, enjoy an entire day of snorkeling and touring Koh Phi Phi and its surrounding islands. The package includes a hotel pick-up and transportation to the pier where tourists depart for the island day trip, a one-hour speed boat ride to the first snorkel spot of Bamboo island, followed by a snorkeling tour of Hin Klarang Koh Phi Phi's most popular coral reef, a stop to view the monkeys of Monkey Beach, and then lunch in Tonsai Bay at a beach-side restaurant. After lunch, the boat will stop at Viking Cave where tourists can view ancient paintings and birds' nests. The next stop is the Pi Leh Bay lagoon where travelers can jump out of the boat for a swim, followed by snorkeling in Lohsamah Bay. The last stop on the speed boat tour is Maya Bay, the actual beach filmed in "The Beach." The speed boat then returns to the Krabi where return hotel transportation is provided.
Krabi Travel
386/3 Moo 2
Ao-Nang Chong Plee Road
T. Aonang, A. Muang
Krabi 81000
Thailand
+66(0) 75-638-260-1
secure.asiawebdirect.com
