Meet Thai locals and tour Maeklong Railway Market with lunch

Bangkok’s Floating and Railway Markets with local community visit

Thailand's markets are a quintessential experience, and two of the most popular ones take centre stage on this full day tour. Explore a unique market on the railway at Maeklong and be embraced by the flavours of Amphawa Floating Market. Plus, there's a taste of local life at Baan Rim Klong community. Mook, one of our expert local guides, says, ‘Amphawa is one of the most traditional floating markets around Bangkok, full of locals browsing and enjoying something to eat. It's my No.1 spot for Thai street food, so make sure you come with an appetite.'First on the agenda is Maeklong Market, a rather special shopping scene set along train tracks. Dating from around 1905, this fresh produce market is one of the largest in Thailand. Feel the thrill as vendors whisk away their stock in a matter of minutes before a train approaches and passes through the middle of their stalls. After soaking up the sights and sounds at Maekong, it's time to head to a local restaurant for lunch.Slow things down a pace next at Baan Rim Klong community, where you'll meet the locals and hear about their traditions. Watch how workers impressively clamber up coconut trees and then extract sugar from the fresh fruit. You'll also learn how baskets are woven from palm leaves, before helping prepare ‘Kanom Thai' – a popular Thai dessert. Round things off with a visit to Amphawa Floating Market, where you'll have free time to browse the stalls and tuck into Thai street food while taking in views of the canals.

Meet Thai locals and tour Maeklong Railway Market with lunch

Thai railway markets are a quintessential experience, and the country's most popular one takes centre stage on this tour from Bangkok. Enjoy a unique shopping experience at Maeklong Railway Market and get a taste of local life at Baan Rim Klong community.First up is Maeklong Market, a rather special shopping scene set along train tracks. Dating back to around 1905, this seafood market is one of the largest in Thailand. Feel the thrill as vendors whisk away their stock in a matter of minutes before a train approaches and passes through the middle of their stalls.Slow things down a pace next at Baan Rim Klong community, where you'll meet the locals and hear about their traditions. Watch how workers impressively clamber up coconut trees and then extract sugar from the fresh fruit. You'll also learn how baskets are woven from palm leaves, before helping to prepare ‘Kanom Thai' - a popular Thai dessert. Round things off at a local restaurant where you'll tuck into a tasty lunch.

Wat Bang Kung temple visit and mangrove boat ride from Bangkok

Lying along the Gulf of Thailand, the province of Samut Songkhram is best known for its floating markets and swimming monkeys. This tour from Bangkok shines the spotlight on two of the area's top attractions - Wat Bang Kung Buddhist temple and Khlong Khon Mangrove Conservation Centre.While Thailand has many Buddhist temples to visit, Wat Bang Kung is one of the most iconic. Swamped by the roots and branches of a huge Banyan tree, it's like nothing you've seen before. It's believed that the ancient temple was built over 300 years ago, as it houses paintings from the late Ayutthaya period. Inside, discover the famous golden Nila Manee Buddha statue, which many locals visit daily to worship. Then take a relaxing stroll along the Mae Klong river.Up next is the Mangrove Forest Conservation Centre in the coastal village of Khlong Khon. You'll board a longtail boat and cruise through mangroves, getting up close and personal to wild monkeys that patrol the river banks. Some of the cheeky creatures may even swim up to the boat to greet you. The tour ends with a tasty seafood lunch served at a local restaurant.

Bangkok temples and shrines small group walking tour

Discovering Bangkok's temples and history is just one part of this walking tour. You'll see unexplored corners of the city and delve right into local culture as you navigate Wat Saket, Wat Suthat and the ‘Giant Swing'. Prasit, one of our local guides, says, ‘The 37 golden spires of Loha Prasat represent the 37 requisites of enlightenment. These are stages in Buddhist teachings that must be achieved before attaining enlightenment.'Kick off at the temple of Wat Ratchanatdaram, best known for Loha Prasat, one of the few bronze-roofed palaces in the world. Then you'll visit the Golden Mount, just a short walk away, where you'll find Wat Saket. Climb the 344 steps up the golden chedi for views over old Bangkok. Prasit adds, ‘Wat Saket is an important landmark that sits on the only hill in Bangkok, and it holds great significance for all followers of The Lord Buddha. The stairs are long but they take you up to the top for panoramic views of Rattanakosin Island.'Then, it's on to the Giant Swing – or Sao Ching Cha – and Wat Suthat, one of the most important temples from the Rattanakosin era. Prasit says, ‘Wat Suthat is my favourite temple. It stands out because the interior is richly decorated with murals of Thai life and faith. In the centre, above statues of praying monks, sits a giant golden Buddha.' After our visit, we'll have a coffee break before pressing on to San Chao Pho Suea, the ‘Tiger God Shrine'. And lastly, we'll walk to Ratchadamnoen Klang Road to end the tour.

Half-day guided tour of Bangkok’s canals and Chinatown district

Bangkok is famed for its skyscrapers and fast-paced way of life but on this tour you'll explore a different side to the city. You'll sail down a bustling river and quiet canals to get a feel for the traditional way of life. After cruising along, you'll end up in Bangkok's busy Chinatown for a look around.

Pattaya Panoramic and Coral Island by Speedboat from Bangkok

Amid the lively streets of Bangkok, the serene beaches of Thailand might feel like a distant dream. However, with this excursion, you'll find yourself basking on a sun-kissed beach in no time. We'll venture southward to Pattaya via road, then hop onto a speedboat that will whisk you away to the paradise island of Koh Lan, where a day of pristine sands and clear waters awaits.Enjoy leisurely beach time, embracing the vibrant colours of the tropics, or get involved in water sports, equipment rental at your own cost. Options include kayaking in translucent waters, or stand-up paddleboarding over gentle waves. When you've worked up an appetite, sit down for lunch at the local restaurant.On our journey back to Bangkok, a stop at Nong-Mon Market lets you explore an assortment of local specialties and snack on the freshest street food. We'll also cruise by the scenic Chonlamakwithi Bridge, a spot often blessed with great sunset panoramas.

Evening Dinner Cruise on the Grand Pearl with Transport

What better way to experience the magic of Bangkok than with an evening dinner cruise passing some of the city's iconic sights? Sit down to a buffet dinner including a variety of dishes from European, Japanese, Thai and International cuisines. There's also entertainment on board - live music and a classical Thai dance performance - and you'll pass by important sights such as Wat Arun, Grand Palcae and Taksin Bridge.

Ancient Ayutthaya by road tour

Renowned for its temple ruins and historical sites, Thai's former capital of 417 years – Ayutthaya - is must-see. On this full-day tour from Bangkok, you'll tick off all its iconic sites at the city's Historical Park, including Wat Mahathat, Bang Pa In Royal Palace, Wat Chaiwatthanaram and Wat Yai Chai Mongkol. First up is Ayutthaya Kingdom's holiest temple, Wat Phra Si Sanphet. The grand monastery was once used as a presidential palace by the royals. Admire its three bell shaped stupas which contain each of the king's ashes. You'll then discover one of the oldest temples, Wat Mahathat, and its main attraction – a stone Buddha entwined in the roots of a giant tree.As you continue wandering around the holy compound's pristine walkways, you'll be struck by how well-preserved its temples and Buddhist deities remain to this day. Pay a visit to the working monastery of Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon, before ending the day at Bang-Pa-In - a four-century old summer retreat for Thai kings. Admire the eclectic mix of Thai, Khmer, Chinese and 19th century European-style influences present in its palaces and temples, which sit on islets and around the edges of an artificial lake.

Damnoen Saduak Floating Market Tour

Hundreds of floating market stalls cram into the world-famous Damnoen Saduak. It's a bright and early start to the day, as you immerse yourself the frenzy of activity, soaking up the sights, sounds and scents on this morning tour from Bangkok.On this morning tour, you'll head out of Bangkok to discover this lively market. On arrival, your senses will be overloaded by congested canals and colourful canoes laden to the brim with fresh fruit and vegetables, ready to sell to throngs of shoppers on the banks. Practice your bargaining skills on everything you could want – flowers, tropical fruits and Thai specialities.As one of the last remaining authentic floating markets in Thailand, it really is worth a visit – and gliding along on a longtail boat makes the experience even more authentic. It's an exciting and fun way to experience local life outside the capital city – all before the crowds arrive.

Royal Grand Palace and Bangkok temples tour

Bangkok's royal and spiritual riches dazzle on this cultural tour. Visit the Grand Palace as well as the beautiful Wat Pho and Wat Traimit temples, where the star attractions are Buddha statues – each one special in its own way.The morning kicks off at the Grand Palace, located on the banks of the Chao Phraya River. Wander round the courtyards, temples, pagodas and gardens but make sure to visit the impressive Temple of the Emerald Buddha – home to a Buddha statue carved from one piece of solid, translucent jade. Next, you'll then head to the city's oldest temple, Wat Pho, famed for its huge Reclining Buddha. Next up is Wat Traimit. Here, you'll find the Golden Buddha, with an intriguing story to tell. Weighing as much as an elephant, this solid gold statue is believed to be about seven centuries old though it was only in 1954 that it was discovered to be made of gold. You'll round off the tour with a stop to a local lapidary factory to see authentic handicraft.