Thailand for Families: Bangkok, Phuket & Khao Sok National Park

Located on the banks of the majestic Chao Phraya River with the cultural and historical hub of Bangkok at its doorsteps, the Chatrium Hotel Riverside Bangkok offers a premium choice in Bangkok accommodation by blending spacious yet luxurious contemporary rooms and suites with warm and friendly Thai hospitality. The hotel is ideal for leisure or business travellers. There were 396 spacious studio style rooms and suites.

This morning, you'll be collected from your hotel at 8:00am to go behind the scenes for a closer look at Thailand's Buddhist culture. Start the morning with a trip to Wat Pho which is one of Bangkok's most enchanting temples. Arrive just as the resident monks gather for their morning chants and witness this deeply spiritual ritual to gain a better sense of Thailand's Buddhist heritage.

After the chants, take a walk around Wat Pho and see the vast collection of religious treasures on display. Admire the famed reclining Buddha image, which stretches 45-metres in length. Learn about the symbolism of the Buddha's intricate footprint and witness devotees making offerings to this revered image.

Your tour then continues to the nearby Grand Palace, which has served as the seat of Thailand's revered royal family for more than two centuries. Take a walk around the vast grounds, stopping in to explore the various temples, throne halls and museums within the compound. Visit the Emerald Buddha, the most revered Buddhist image in Thailand, and hear about its mysterious origins.
Following your tour of these iconic Bangkok monuments, you'll be returned to your hotel.

This morning, travel away from Bangkok's city centre for a visit to local markets and countryside neighbourhoods. Take a one-hour drive, leaving the high-rises behind and entering a land of lush landscapes and traditional wooden houses.

Stop at a local railway station where a bustling country market has sprouted up along the tracks. As a train pulls into the station, witness the vendors quickly clearing their stalls off the railway. Then, after the train departs, watch them set up shop and resume business as usual.

From here, continue to the famous Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. Although these days the stalls are mostly selling items for tourists, this market remains the best example of a traditional floating market. Take a stroll around and admire the floating shops, many of which are selling fresh fruits and typical Thai snacks.

Leave the main market area and take a relaxing paddle boat ride. Pass by an old section of the floating market and enter a labyrinth of quiet canals. See houses built alongside the waterways and catch glimpses of local life in this rural Thai province.

Following your tour, you'll be returned to your hotel in Bangkok.

Novotel Phuket Karon Beach Resort and Spa is the perfect resort for a fun-filled and relaxing holiday in Phuket. Boasting of 7 room types, this Phuket Resort provides an ideal option for all types of travelers. Chill out around one of the 3 pools while the kids enjoy Kids World, Phuket's premier kids club. Pamper yourself at In Balance Spa or keep in shape at the fitness center. With 5 dining options serving Asian and international delicacies, there is certainly a way to satisfy your appetite at Novotel Phuket Karon Beach Resort and Spa. Prim location, 5 minutes walk to Karon Beach and Karon Centre. 10 minutes drive from the shopping and entertainment areas of Patong. At the quietest end of this Phuket resort, a stroll away from the main pool, the 28 sqm standard rooms of Novotel Phuket Karon Resort and Spa feature a double bed or twin beds with light duvet and double pillows for a maximum comfort. Each modern room comes along with rain-shower, complimentary Wi-Fi and private balcony. Ideal for families and friends, inter-connecting rooms are also available. Up to 2 adults

Today is totally free and at leisure. You can take advantage of any optional activities available or simply relax.

Today, spend a day at sea visiting beautiful Phang Nga Bay from Phuket. After breakfast, you'll be met and driven to the jetty where a private, longtail boat awaits. Climb aboard and cast off to begin your adventure!

Cross the emerald-green waters of the bay, passing by dramatic limestone karsts and uninhabited islands. Go ashore at 'James Bond Island', a distinctive rocky island that is a popular place for photos.

The day is filled with several fantastic stops. Cruise through a pristine mangrove forest, getting a close look at the incredible ecosystems created by these ancient plants. Stop at secluded beaches to go swimming alongside colourful tropical fish. There is plenty of time to explore secluded beaches and soak up the sun. Around midday a scrumptious picnic lunch will be served in a scenic location. Enjoy the fresh air and tropical breeze while dining on a delicious meal.

As the sun begins to dip low into the sky, return to Phuket arriving in time to watch the sunset at the end of the day. You'll be transferred back to your hotel.

Today is totally free and at leisure. You can take advantage of any optional activities available or simply relax.

Today is totally free and at leisure. You can take advantage of any optional activities available or simply relax.

This morning, transfer to Elephant Hills Camp, catching glimpses of tropical rural life along the way. Upon arrival at the camp, enjoy a delicious Thai buffet lunch. After lunch, relax on a jungle river canoe trip down the Sok River, passing limestone mountains and cliffs covered with exotic tropical vegetation. Sometimes hornbill birds can be seen flying high overhead, as well as reptiles basking in the sun on the riverbanks. Continue to the elephant sanctuary, where you can see, touch and learn about the life of Thai elephants and about the Elephant Hills elephant conservation project. You will prepare and feed them one of their daily meals, including their dietary supplements that help with their digestion and overall well-being, then watch them bathe. Afterwards, enjoy some time at leisure in your luxury tent. Optional evening entertainment includes a movie presentation, a traditional Thai dance performance from local school children and a cooking demonstration. At 8:00pm, dinner will be served amidst the sights and sounds of the surrounding rainforest.

Wake up to the sounds of nature and birds calling from the bushes next to the tent. Tea and coffee-making facilities are available in your tent for early risers; breakfast is at your leisure. Later this morning, explore Cheow Lan Lake by local long-tail boat. Surrounded by Limestone Mountains, the lake has more than a hundred small islands, and the scenery has been compared to Guilin in China and Halong Bay in Vietnam. In the 1970s, the area was a hide-out for communists and students opposing the military dictatorship. Continue to the floating Elephant Hills Rainforest Camp, situated in the heart of the national park, and check in to your luxury tent. After enjoying a delicious Thai lunch overlooking the lake, set out to explore the jungle on foot. This is an opportunity to explore the ecology of one of the world's oldest rainforests, including hardwood trees with huge roots, orchids, palms, ferns, bamboo and mosses. Gibbons can often be heard calling to their mates, you might spot macaque or leaf monkeys swinging through the branches, and beautiful butterflies abound. You will have the chance to walk slowly and really listen, to discover the secrets of the rainforest. Return to the rainforest camp, where you are free to take a refreshing dip in the water and perhaps watch the sun set behind the towering limestone mountains from the deckchair in front of your tent. The evening is at leisure for you to really absorb the peace of this magnificent natural setting.

This morning as the mist clears, you are free to canoe or swim in the lake. After breakfast, join your guide on a short safari into the little channels and side arms of Cheow Lan Lake. Enjoy lunch at the rainforest camp before returning to the pier and transferring onwards to your next destination.