Experience A Two-day Cultural Exchange Of Amphawa

[sbk]

I received this from the Nation and thought some of our members might be interested.

Experience a Two-day Cultural Exchange of Amphawa

led by Vipasai Niyamapha, a well-spoken connoisseur travel writer of the Nation Newspaper

Aug 15-16, 2009

Dear Sir or Madam:

We wish to extend an invitation to our dear customers who have expatriate employees in your company to participate in a 2-day cultural exchange program of Amphawa, recipient of the 2008 UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Award. The trip will be led by Vipasai Niyamapha, a well-spoken connoisseur travel writer with in-depth knowledge of all locations on the planned itinerary (please see attached file for more information about the trip).

We will visit over ten attractive historical and cultural sites, stay at a luxury boutique hotel and enjoy fresh, delicious seafood. We are confident that all participants will benefit from the trip, enjoying the beauty of our country and the hospitality of the Thai people.

The trip costs 8,900 baht per person. Seats are limited. If you are interested, please make your reservation as soon as possible. For further information, you may find details on the website www.nation-education.com. For booking, please contact Khun Suwannee by phone at 0-2338-3705-7 or via e-mail ***pm me for email address***

Best regards,

Suwannee Yenying

Assistant Manager

Nation Educational Services

Nation News Network Co., Ltd.

Destination covered: King Rama II Memorial Park, Worm Shell Farm (Don Hoi Lot), Talad Rom Hub (Market of Folding Umbrellas), Paknam Temple, Bang Kung Temple, Amphawa Evening Market, Firefly Watching, Benjarong House, Pummarin Temple, Asanawihan Maephrabangkerd, Tang Seum Ha Museum

DATE August 15-16, 2009

DAY 1 King Rama II Memorial Park, Worm Shell Farm (Don Hoi Lot), Talad Rom Hub (Market of Folding Umbrellas), Paknam Temple, Bang Kung Temple, Amphawa Evening Market, Firefly Watching

7:00 Meet at…

7:30 Departure from Bangkok for Samut Songkram by VIP coach. Breakfast is served on board.

9:45 Arrival in Samut Songkram. Visit The King Rama II Memorial Park. Places of interest includes King Rama II Museum comprising of four traditional buildings built in strictly Thai architectural style. The museum displays the ancient art objects dating back to early Rattanakosin era and the lifestyle of the Thais during King Rama II period. The next highlight is a visit to Don Hoi Lot, or worm shell farm. Stop at the famous Chumphonkhetudomsak Shrine, witness the local way of worm shell farming at the bay mouth of Mae Klong River.

12:00 Lunch at Don Hoi Lot

14:00 Explore the bustling "Folding Umbrellas" market on the Maeklong railway tracks and watch stall keepers fold away their umbrellas to let the train pass. Tour of local temples including Wat Paknam and Wat Bangkung which was once the historic camp site of King Taksin and its main hall is now wholly covered by the old Bodhi tree. See life-sized sculpture of Thai boxing and join with Thai devotees to pray for your fortune at the Takientong goddess shrine.

16:00 Check-in at Baan Amphawa Resort & Spa, a 5-star hotel located by the Maeklong river.

16:30 Take a boat ride to visit the famous Amphawa Evening Market. Walk along the riverbank with many locally-made souvenirs and snacks to taste.

17:30 Dinner at one of riverside restaurants. After dinner, yake the last boat ride of the day to see the flickering lights of fireflies

20:00 Return to the hotel. Relax amid the serenity of Amphawa.

DAY 2 Benjarong House, Pummarin Temple, Asanawihan Maephrabangkerd, Tang Seum Ha Museum

6:00 Join in Buddhist merit-making ritual by offering alms to local monks

8:00 Enjoy buffet brekfast at the hotel

9:00 Observe the exquisite craftsmanshop of Benjarong ware and its making process at Don Kai Dee Benjarong House. Next is a visit to Wat Phummarin Kudithong with a chance to hear local musicians practise their musical skills.

12:00 Lunch at one of local restaurants

13:00 Visit the profession of making home-made palm sugar where coconut nectar is boiled in a very large pan until it turn brown and dry. Witness inside the Thai traditional house of Puyai Tongyib and see the interesting demonstration of home-made Thai cooking right in her own kitchen.

Visit the Church of the Virgin Mary or Asanawihan Maephrabangkerd, built by Father Paolo Salmone, a French Missionary in 1890 A.D. Go to see thousands of ceramic vessels excavated from the Mae Klong River on display at Tung Seum Ha Museum by the Bangnoi Canal before returning to Bangkok.

18:00 Arrival in Bangkok

Rates

Rate per person (Baht) Rates per person for The Nation Subscriber (Baht)

1. Adults (twin sharing) 8,900 7,900

2. Adults (two persons enrol together) 8,500 7,900

2. Children (with extra bed) 8,900 7,900

3. Children (no extra bed) 7,900 6,900

4. Adults (single room) 10,700 9,700

This rate includes:

1 One night accommodation for twin sharing.

2 Admission and transportation fees to all places as mentioned in the programme.

3 Meals and beverages as mentioned in the programme.

4 Travel insurance (1,000,000 Baht per person)

This rate excludes:

1 Other expenses not mentioned in the programme such as telephone bill, laundry, meals, beverages, etc.

2 7% VAT and 3% Tax Deduction

PM me if interested in the email and full details