EXCURSIONS

Bangkok Excursions

Kanchanaburi

Eighty miles (130km) west of Bangkok, the town of Kanchanaburi has secured its position of infamy as the original site of the Bridge Over The River Kwai, where during World War II allied prisoners of war were used by the Japanese to build the Death Railway and thousands died at the hands of their captors. With its modern hotels and welcoming air, Kanchanaburi seems an unlikely setting, but the bridge is still in use and the graves of the Allied soldiers are testament to the town's unfortunate past. Worth a visit is the JEATH (Japan, England, Australia/America, Thailand and Holland) War Museum in Kanchanaburi, which recounts experiences in the Japanese POW camps during the War. The Sai Yok Yai Waterfall in the Sai Yok National Park is a place of idyllic beauty and makes a good excursion from Kanchanaburi; the falls are widely celebrated in Thai poetry and songs.

Website: www.kanchanaburi-info.com; Opening time: JEATH War Museum: daily 8.30am to 6pm; Admission: JEATH War Museum: B 30

Bangkok Excursions

Tiger Temple

A once in a (possibly short) lifetime chance to pet tigers can be arranged from the travel agencies in Khaosan in Bangkok or from nearby Kanchanaburi. Visitors are guided to a large dirt quarry where several grown tigers and a host of cubs lie relaxing along with several monks and guides. Visitors, separated by a thin single chain, are led past, one at a time, to sit with and pet the tigers. Rumour has it that the tigers are given sedatives although some argue they are under the meditational spell of the monks or just used to humans. None of it is apparently enough to guarantee safety as an occasional mauling has been known to happen. The admission is about 300 baht and the tigers can usually be visited from 1 pm to 4 pm daily.

Bangkok Excursions

Monkey Temple, Lopburi

An easy day trip out of Bangkok is the two and half hour, 150 km (100 mile), train ride to the Monkey Temple in the town of Lopburi. The animal kingdom hierarchy is reversed here as the temple gives the monkeys free roam and food. Often novelty turns into nervousness as visitors are followed by crowds of the impolite inhabitants. Keep watch of loose items like glasses, purses, and especially food as the monkeys are keen pickpockets and they bite. November is the Monkey Festival in Lopburi but it is interesting to visit year-round.

Bangkok Excursions

Ayutthaya

This is the former capital of Siam from 1350 until mid 18th century and at one time was one of the largest cities in the world. The capital was relocated to Bangkok in 1768 when the Burmese army destroyed much of Ayutthaya. Today tourists needn't imagine too much to experience splendour of the old capital as many of the enormous structures are still there. Multiple busses (a bit over an hour) and trains arrive daily from Bangkok and a boat up the Chao Phraya River to Ayutthaya can be organised through travel agencies. Although many organised tours in Thailand can be a frustrating experience, a tour guide here can give some fascinating history to the already impressive wats. This is an easy way to experience some of the ancient history of Siam as Bangkok is relatively new.