This tour is a great value tour as the price includes all of the following:

• Air fares from Sydney, Melbourne & Brisbane to Bangkok return with Thai International. 

• Airline taxes and fuel levies. 

• Grandstand seats to see the colourful procession of 52 Royal Barges rowed by 2,200 navy oarsmen in colourful costumes, a ceremony normally held only once in every four years. 

• 3 days in exciting Bangkok, one of the world's great shopping destinations. 

• 2 days in Pattaya, one of Thailand's most popular beach resorts.

• A 6 day "off the beaten track" tour of Thailand's Isan area, the seldom visited but interesting north-east area of Thailand, more typical of the old Thailand. 

• Good accommodation, mainly 3.5 to 4 star. 

• Many meals. 

• All transport and entrance fees. 

• Services of a professional tour guide and if there are 12 or more participants there will be an Australian tour leader.  

If you don't have a travel partner but wish to travel at twin share rates, we will try to match you up with someone else in the same situation, but this is not guaranteed. For a single room there is an extra cost of $490.

This tour has been designed to take people to parts of Thailand that most people haven't seen, so it is suitable for both first time visitors and repeat visitors to Thailand.

Tour Itinerary

Terms and Conditions

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	Itinerary for Thailand Tour With Royal Barges Procession
	Included meals are indicated as B = Breakfast, L =Lunch, D = Dinner
20.10.11	Depart Sydney at 11.00am on TG 476, arriving in Bangkok at 4.30pm. Depart Brisbane at 2.00pm on TG 474, arriving in Bangkok at 8.20pm. Depart Melbourne at 4.00pm on TG 466, arriving in Bangkok at 9.30pm. All flights will be met at Bangkok airport and transferred to the Narai hotel in central Bangkok, situated within walking distance of the Patpong night market and entertainment area.
21.10.11 (B,L)	Today there will be a tour to the Samphran Elephant ground and zoo. Located to the west of Bangkok in Nakhon Pathom province. For less than an hour drive Samphran Elephant ground and zoo is a popular sightseeing destination. It highlights exciting events such as the Elephant theme shows and the crocodile wrestling shows. In the elephant show, the elephants are the stars where they dance, race, play football and games, 'Yutha Hathi' a great royal battle scene, is even performed with the actors riding on the elephants. As for the wrestling show, the crocodile and the master crocodile catcher perform breathtaking stunts to their audience's delight. The visitors can also check out the tropical garden and waterfalls on the elephant's back. Visit the orchid nursery, and sample International cuisine at the Erawan Restaurant (lunch included). Accredited by CITES as 'One of the cleanest and most impressive public displays of crocodiles in the world', the visitors will surely enjoy exploring the zoo ground.
22.10.11 (B,D)	Today you will see one of the grandest spectacles in the Kingdom of Thailand, the Royal Barge Procession on the Chao Phyra River. This ancient tradition was revived by His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej in 1959. The breathtaking water-borne procession is reserved for nationally auspicious occasions and has been held only sixteen times during His Majesty's reign. To commemorate the auspicious occasion of HM King Bhumibol's 84th birthday the Royal Thai Navy will be organising a Royal Kathin Royal Barge Procession. The water-borne royal kathin procession will consist of a flotilla of 52 traditional-style barges arranged in five columns, based on a battle formation from ancient times. This is made up of four major royal barges - Suphannahongse, Narai Song Suban H.M King Rama IX, Anantanagaraj and Anekchatbhuchongse, eight barges with animal figureheads and 40 smaller ceremonial barges. A total of 2,098 navy officers from various units within the Royal Thai Navy will serve as oarsmen.
23.10.11 (B,L)	Depart Bangkok for Pattaya. En Route stop at Pattaya's famous Sriracha Tiger Zoo. This grand tiger zoo, which is located on over 100 acres of land, boasts not only over 200 Bengal tigers, 100,000 crocodiles, and various kinds of animals in the natural atmosphere, but it also offers you many amusing activities and amazing shows. You can take memorable photos with the tiger cub, baby crocodile, and various other kinds of animals. You can feed camels, deer, wallabies, ostriches, etc. Witness the kind-hearted pig feeding the tiger cubs with her own milk along with the piglets. See 'Piggy', the genius pig that can calculate in 5 languages. Also see pig racing. See the 'Scorpion Queen', the girl with over 100 scorpions on her body and crocodile and elephant shows. A buffet lunch at the zoo is included. Check into the Beach front Hotel the A-One Royal Cruise hotel for 2 nights.
24.10.11 (B,L)	Today we visit Nong Nooch tropical garden, an attractive tourist spot in Chonburi that features botanical garden, zoo and Thai Cultural Centre with impressive shows. The vast area of the recreational park includes two lakes, bonsai, cactus, palm, and bromeliad gardens, a hothouse for orchids and ferns and a showcase of such animals as tigers, elephants, chimpanzees or parrots. In this beautiful landscape there is the Thai Cultural Centre, presenting groups of traditional Thai houses and cultural shows such as martial arts, hill tribe music and dance, a Thai wedding ceremony as well as elephant show, performing three times a day. A collection of Thai antiques is also exhibited at this tropical garden, where visitors can taste traditional Thai food. Souvenirs and handicrafts from all over the kingdom can be purchased at the garden's shopping mall. Nong Nooch Tropical Garden is about 18 kilometres south of Pattaya . A buffet lunch at the tropical garden is included.
25.10.11 (B,L)	Today we travel to Wang Nam Keow, called the Switzerland of North East Thailand. Enroute we have a coffee break at Tab Lan National Park, Thailand's second largest National Park. Here we visit the beautiful Fan Palm Grove. After lunch we visit a Bio vegetable garden and vineyards. Overnight in Wang Nam Keow.
26.10.11 (B,L)	Today we visit Phimai historical park, which is the largest sandstone sanctuary in Thailand, is located in Nahon Ratchasima province. These fascinating ruins of ancient Khmer architecture have now been restored and visitors can now see their new, yet old face. Competing with Angkor Wat, the Historic Park is the pride of Thailand. Phimai hosts one of the most spectacular Khmer temples in Thailand. The grand temple in the historical complex is compared by archaeologists to Angkor Wat. Most buildings within the historical park are from the 11th to the 12th century, built in Bayon, Baphuon and Angkor Wat style. Next we visit a huge Banyan tree that covers several acres. After this we visit a pottery village before traveling through to Khon Kaen. Here we stay at the Sofitel Khon Kaen Raja Orchid Hotel 5 star hotel, which is considered the best hotel in North East Thailand.
27.10.11 (B,L)	First we visit the Khon Kaen National Museum, the museum contains a large collection of artifacts particularly from the North East, including those discovered at major archaeological sites such as Ban Chiang, where the world's first bronze age civilisation flourished more than 5,000 years ago. The museum also shows the most beautiful Bas Reliefs of the Davarawadi period (9th century). Next we visit a silk village where the inhabitants produce the famous Mudmee Silk, produced by tie-dyeing the threads before weaving it into fabric. Next we drive through to Nong Khai, situated on the Thai-Laos Mekong river border.
28.10.11 (B,L)	Wandering in a creepy, bizarre sculpture park in Nong Khai. Nong Khai, the town at the boarder of Laos, is a charming and laid-back community, but its attraction - Sala Kaew Ku Sculpture Park - may give you the creeps. Eccentric sculptures, some rising more than seven stories high, ascend into the sky like monsters frozen in stone. Created by Luang Pu Bunleua Sulilat, a mystic shaman from Laos, the park is sprinkled with traditional, placid-faced Buddhas. But other freakish statues that mix Buddhist and Hindu iconography, with frightful and sinister features, ultimately conjure an eerie mood. The shaman, who fled Laos because he feared his unorthodox views would not be accepted, adored snakes so these creatures feature prominently in the sculptures. We also visit the friendship bridge that joins Thailand and Laos. The bridge was paid for by Australian tax-payers. We then drive through to Leoi. En route we visit Kaeng Kut Ku. Here the Mekong River is narrow with an extremely swift current. Immersed by the rushing water for countless years, the rocks produce multi-coloured scenes of unique beauty.
29.10.11 (B,D)	First today we visit the Pra That Si Song Rak Pagoda. This ancient pagoda is built in Laos style and celebrates the friendship between Thailand and Laos. We then drive through to Khao Yai National Park. This 1,600 sq kilometres park spans 4 provinces. It has been a great diversity and abundance of wildlife. It has been honoured as part of the natural heritage of Asia. Tonight there will be a spotlighting excursion to see Nocturnal animals.
30.10.11 (B)	Today we head back to Bangkok. We stop at the Choch Chai Cattle Range, which is the largest cattle range in Thailand. There is a chance to experience Western food such as Thai steak, if you wish. Next stop will be the Bang Sai folk art centre on the outskirts of Bangkok. This interesting establishment is supported by Queen Sirikit, with the intention of helping poor people learn various handicrafts and establish businesses. This is a great place to buy unique Christmas presents. Then drive through to Bangkok staying at the 4 1/2  star Amari Don Muang Hotel.
31.10.11 (B,L)	Free morning to enjoy the facilities of our lovely hotel. Mid-day departure to a top Thai restaurant in Siam Square where we have a farewell lunch. Sydney passengers will be transferred to Bangkok airport. Departing at 6.20pm on TG 475, arriving in Sydney at 7.40am (01.11.11) Melbourne & Brisbane passengers will have time for shopping in the Siam Square area, one of the best shopping areas in the world. They will then be taken to inspect Jim Thompson's house, the founder of the Thai silk industry. His house is set in beautiful grounds and jammed full of Valuable antiques. Transfer to Bangkok airport. Brisbane passengers depart Bangkok at 11.55pm on TG 473, arriving in Brisbane at 12.05pm on 01.11.11
01.11.11	Melbourne passengers depart Bangkok at 12.15am on TG 465, arriving in Melbourne at 1.25pm

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Conditions for Macleay Valley Travel's Thailand Tour with Royal Barges Procession

Deposits and Payments - A non-refundable deposit of $200.00 per person is payable within 7 days of booking. This deposit is not refundable should you later cancel. The balance is payable in full 8 weeks prior to departure. 
Refunds and Cancellations - Cancellations after final payment will result in a refund limited to whatever we can recoup from the airline.
Insurance - Adequate travel insurance is essential. We can arrange this for you if desired. Macleay Valley Travel offers Suresave Travel Insurance.  Please note that we can only process  your travel insurance when we have received full payment for the insurance and the signed Suresave Travel Insurance application form, located on the last page of the Suresave Travel Insurance information booklet. Until this time the travel insurance cannot be processed and will not be valid. Macleay Valley Travel will bare no responsibility for any consequences that may occur as a result of an incomplete insurance application.    
Passports - All travellers require a current passport with at least 6 months left on it at the end of the tour. Non-Australian passport holders require a re-entry visa for Australia.
Visas are not required for Thailand if travelling on an Australian passport.
Basic Tour Price and Taxes -  Air taxes and Fuel Levies are included in the basic tour price if the tour is paid in full on or before the due date on the final invoice. Macleay Valley Travel reserves the right to charge for any increase in Air taxes and Fuel Levies if the tour is not paid in full by the due date.
Not  Included in the Cost - All items of a personal nature such as telephone calls, drinks, travel insurance, excess baggage, tips, meals,  (except those specified in the itinerary), etc.
Breakaway Fee - All fully inclusive prices are based on group travel and any deviation from the set itinerary will incur a breakaway fee. The breakaway fee for most deviations including a post-tour extension on this tour is $55 per person. Please inquire with our office for prices on any pre-tour extensions. 
Booking through other Agents - As we keep the cost of out tours as low as possible, there is insufficient margin for us to be able to pay commission to other travel agents, so some bookings can only be accepted if the client pays the other agent's commission. 
Macleay Valley Travel is a fully licensed travel agent and as such any monies paid to us are fully insured by the Travel Compensation Fund. We are happy for any prospective traveller with us to check us out with your local Consumer Affairs (fair trading) department.
Similarly, credit card payments can only be accepted if 2% is added to the price to help defray the heavy merchant fees charged to us by the credit card companies.
Health and Fitness - Macleay Valley Travel recommends that the passenger is reasonably healthy and/or fit to participate in this tour.  Persons with a disability requiring special assistance must be accompanied by a companion. Macleay Valley Travel and their representatives cannot provide this service.  Macleay Valley Travel reserves the right to accept/decline or terminate a passenger's participation in the tour under certain circumstances.
Limitation of Liability - As Macleay Valley Travel acts only as agent for the Airlines, Hotels, Coach Companies etc., providing accommodation, transportation and other services, Macleay Valley Travel shall not be liable or responsible for death or injury to any person or loss or damage to any property including baggage arising out of or connection with any transportation, accommodation or other services, or resulting directly or indirectly from acts of God, fire, breakdown in machinery or equipment, acts of Government or other authorities, de jure or defacto wars, whether declared or not, hostilities, civil disturbances, strikes, riots, thefts, epidemics, quarantines, medical or customs regulations, delays or cancellations caused by changes in schedules or itinerary, or over bookings or defaults or for any causes beyond Macleay Valley Travel's control or any loss or damage resulting from improper or insufficient passports, visas or other documents and neither Macleay Valley Travel, and its servants or employees shall be or become liable or responsible for any additional expenses or liability sustained or incurred by the tour member as a result of the foregoing causes.
Macleay Valley Travel reserves the right to modify the itinerary or the accommodation if circumstances make this necessary, provided that the amended itinerary is of equal value or greater value than that of the original program.
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