The Bangkok Tourist Bureau (telephone: (02) 225 7612) has daily 90-minute tours passing the major tourist attractions on a vintage-style double-decker bus. The bus leaves the Grand Palace at 9.00 am, 10.30 am, 12.30 pm, 1.30 pm and 3.00 pm and Vimanmek Palace at 9.30 am, 11.00 am, 12.30 pm, 2.00 pm and 4.30 pm. The fare is B200.

Bicycle Tours

The Bangkok Tourist Bureau (telephone: (02) 225 7612; fax: (02) 225 7616) operates a 2-and-a-half-hour bicycle tour on Saturdays at 7.00 pm around the historical area of Bangkok. The trip starts at their offices at 17/1 Phra Arthit Road, Phra Nakhon and passes Sanam Luang, Wat Pho, the Democracy Monument and the Khao San Road backpacker area. The fare is B290 per person, and includes the hire of a bicycle, snacks and drinks.

Boat Tours

Bangkok is lined with canals or khlongs and life along the canals is far removed from the busy Bangkok. A good way to see this area of the city is a boat trip, passing temples, orchards, orchid farms and typical houses on stilts. World Travel Service (telephone: (02) 233 5900) and Diethelm Travel (telephone: (02) 255 9150) provides this service.

Diethelm provides a 4-hour boat trip for US$25.10 per person or a full-day visit to the floating market at Damnoan Saduak for US$58.90 per person (prices as part of a group).

Half Day Excursions

Rose Garden

The Rose Garden (telephone: (034) 322 588; fax: (034) 322 775) is a place of interest situated 32 kilometres or 20 miles to the southwest of the city. The Rose Garden in its well-kept gardens offers daily cultural shows at 2.45 pm including dancing, Thai boxing, cock fighting and an elephant show. It is open from 8.00 am to 6.00 pm. Entrance to the resort costs B20, tickets for the show are B380.

Damnoan Saduak Floating Market

The Damnoan Saduak Floating Market is 80 kilometres or 50 miles west of the city and is much more attractive than the floating market in Bangkok, as it has not been turned into one of places of interest. There are many small boats that carry fruits and vegetables sold by native females in the early morning. This very interesting and atmospheric market is all over by 11.00 am, which makes an early start from Bangkok. To take a bus from the Southern Bus Terminal to the market is also possible but probably easier to join an organised tour from a hotel (see Tours of the City).

Whole Day Excursions

Kanchanaburi

Kanchanaburi is situated 122 kilometres or 76 miles from Bangkok and it is the place of the infamous Bridge over the River Kwai. Constructed by Allied Prisoners of War during World War II, it is a place of outstanding natural beauty, with forest-clad hills and valleys covered with trees. There are 2 well-preserved Allied war cemeteries just in a suburb of the town. Kanchanaburi is easily accessible by either bus or train or by tour buses from the city. For additional information, please contact the local Tourist Authority of Thailand office (telephone: (034) 511 200) which is open from 8.30 am to 4.30 pm daily.

Ayutthaya

Ayutthaya was the capital of Thailand for more than 400 years until its destruction in 1767. Ruins of many temples, buildings and palaces cover a large area and this was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Ayutthaya is situated 76 kilometres or 47 miles north of Bangkok and is easily accessible by bus or train or on a boat trip. For more details, please contact the local Tourist Authority of Thailand office (telephone: (035) 246 076/7) which is open from 8.30 am to 4.30 pm daily.