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Create your own Robinson Crusoe fantasy and experience the thrill of hidden beaches on Thailand’s coast, accessible only by long-tail boat.
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Get a soaking at elephant bath time and learn how mahoots keep their elephants clean, cool and under control!
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Enjoy stunning white sand beaches edged by swaying coconut trees, whilst receiving top-notch service at the Four Seasons, Koh Samui.
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Enjoy this iconic Phuket beach, nestled in a coconut plantation, whilst experiencing an exceptional level of service at Aman’s flagship property, Amanpuri.
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This is the friendly face of Thailand. Everywhere you go, you’ll be greeted with gracious smiles and friendly conversation, starting with a courteous "Sawadee Ka" (hello).
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W Hotels have a reputation for merging natural landscapes with innovative modern architecture and this W Hotel, located on Koh Samui, is no exception with its breath-taking infinity pool that cuts a slice through a stunning seascape – pure genius.
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The zen-like Amanpuri in Phuket will help you fully unwind within its harmonious interiors. With inspiration taken from Thailand’s temples this top Aman hotel is guaranteed to leave you totally blissed out and pampered.
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Soak up the understated sophistication of the sublime swimming pool at the Amanpuri in Phuket.
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Take in the dazzling sight of Wat Arun by night from the uber-chic Metropolitan hotel. For the energetic, we recommend visiting by day to see a startling view of Bangkok from the top of the tallest temple in the city.
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Travel in the ultimate style and comfort on the legendary Orient Express and watch rural Thailand unfold before your eyes.
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From your unique vantage on the world’s most luxurious train journey enjoy unparalleled views of everyday life in the Thai countryside. You'll no doubt pass by rice pickers in their traditional hats, cultivating Thailand’s staple dish.
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Toast your good fortune whilst you soak up the picturesque natural environment at Thanyamundra Resort in Khao Sok National Park and dine like a king on food sourced from the fields around you.
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Bedrooms at the secluded Thanyamundra retreat are made from local teak and furnished with beautiful Asian antiques. In the morning, watch the dawn mists roll off the jungle clad hills.
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Discover pristine corals and brightly coloured fish in the clear-as-glass water that surrounds your private hideaway island at Soneva Kiri.
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Luxuriate poolside at Six Senses Yao Noi's hilltop reserve whilst taking in this epic view of the Phang Nga Bay and its mysterious limestone cliffs.
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On the island paradise of Six Senses Yao Noi, you'll get unparalleled views of the mystical Phang Nga Bay from your bed, a stunning and spacious villa with private pool and personal butler.
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No visit to Thailand is complete without a ride in a tuk-tuk, the most popular mode of city transport. It is fact-paced and often quite hair-raising but this noisy experience is a must.
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Soak up the atmospheric dusk scene at the Six Senses Yao Noi, overlooking the awe-inspiring crags of Pang Nga Bay.
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Within the cool haven of Bangkok's Metropolitan hotel, experience award-winning cuisine that perfectly highlights the best of Asian tastes: spicy, sweet and zingy – all at the same time!
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Imagine relaxing on a day bed at Kirimaya, situated in a this peaceful spot in the heart of Khao Yai National Park, surrounded by the sounds of untamed nature.
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This Four Seasons tent, set in the willowy bamboo forests of the Golden Triangle is extremely luxurious and chicly furnished with original Thai artefacts and traditional lanterns that lend a romantic glow at dusk.
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Sitting on the wiry, rubbery neck of an elephant is an experience not to be forgotten. Scratch behind huge, dusty ears to make a friend for life. Here is Ampersand's MD, James, at the Four Seasons Tented Camp Chang Rai.
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For a unique bathing experience have a soak in this wooden tub, on the balcony of your expansive tent at Four Seasons Tented Camp, Chang Rai. Listen to the hoots of nature, just out of reach in dense, untamed foliage.
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This is seclusion at its best. Take advantage of your large outdoor deck at the Four Senses Chang Rai to view the meandering river, unchecked wildlife and encroaching jungle.
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The Four Seasons Koh Samui is one of our favourite hotels in Thailand - private villas are stylish and spacious, and come with an outdoor living area, private pool and al fresco bathroom with wraparound sea views. Enormously sophisticated.
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The Mandarin Oriental is a Bangkok old-timer and one of the best in town – we particularly love the Mandarin Oriental's Author’s Wing suites with their colonial white shutters and black and white tiled flooring.
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The Emerald Buddha Temple is a must see, regarded as the most important temple in Thailand. This beautifully ornate Buddhist temple in the centre of Bangkok houses an emerald Buddha, carved from single slab of jade.
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The Anantara Chang Rai is an elaborately luxurious resort set in 160 acres of tropical gardens and is perfectly positioned for exploring the Golden Triangle area.
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Get up close to these magnificent creatures in Chang Rai and learn from the mahoots how best to handle an elephant by yourself!
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Join in this amazing opportunity to help train an elephant with the help of a mahoot. They grow up with the elephants and are incredibly skilled and knowleagable about these magnificent creatures.
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Thailand: Best time to go
Due to its long north-south span, Thailand's climate is quite diverse but is generally tropical and humid. While temperature differences in Bangkok are slight (highs of around 38°C in April and lows of 32°C in January), it can drop down to 13°C in Chiang Mai in the winter. Northern, north-eastern and central Thailand have three seasons: when the southwest monsoon arrives in June, the rainy season lasts until November; the cool season runs from November to mid-February; and the hot season, which is quite humid, runs from March to June. The west coast and its islands take the brunt of the southwest monsoon, but the Gulf coast is also affected by the northeast monsoon between October and January. As a result, Phuket, on the west coast, is drier from November to mid-February, and Koh Samui, on the Gulf of Thailand, is drier from April to October.
N.B. All information given here is to the best of our knowledge, however, changes do occur, sometimes at short notice. Ampersand cannot be held liable for such happenings. Of course, if you have any tips that you feel would benefit other travellers, please pass them onto us and we will add them.
There are daily direct flights from the UK to Bangkok with a number of different airlines. Within Thailand domestic flights link Bangkok with the major cities and beach resorts as well as to Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam.
British, most European and US passport holders will automatically receive a 30 day gratis tourist visa upon arrival. It is your responsibility to check visa requirements if you do not have one of the above mentioned passports. Passports must be valid for at least 6 months after your return from Thailand and have at least 2 blank pages.
It is essential to visit your GP as soon as possible to check if you need any vaccinations prior to travel. Risk for vaccine preventable diseases can change at any time. MASTA (Medical Advisory Services for Travellers Abroad) can supply a quick and easy online Travel Health Brief. This includes easy to understand vaccination advice for single or multi-country trips. Their website is www.masta-travel-health.com.
London - Bangkok: 11 hours 30 minutes
London - Chiang Mai: There are no direct flights from London to Chiang Mai. The best route would be to fly via Bangkok. With a short connection, the flying time is usually 13 hours 50 minutes.
London - Phuket: There are no direct flights from London to Phuket. The best route would be to fly via Bangkok. With a short connection, the flying time is usually 14 hours 40 minutes.
We highly recommend you reconfirm your onward and return international flights at least 72 hours prior to departure.
Places of Interest
Accommodation
