Travel time from Suvarnabhumi Airport to the Erawan Elephant Museum: 1 hour

Spend an hour at the Erawan Elephant Museum, currently the only one of its kind in Thailand. The ornate works of art that adorn this impressive sculpture of Erawan, the three-headed elephant in Hindu mythology, is awe-inspiring. (Erawan is the Thai name for Airvata, the mount of Indra, the Vedic god of the sky, clouds and monsoon, and guardian of the East.)

Their creation of the masterpiece, ‘the elephant at the centre of the universe’, reflects the exquisite craftsmanship of highly skilled Thai artisans. Masters of their craft, each is well-trained and experienced in the ten basic disciplines of traditional Thai art and craft. These are carving, engraving, sculpting, modelling, drawing, lacquerwork, plaster, metal works, moulding and lathing.

For example, the four columns that support the interior are rich in detail. Scenes from Buddhist tales depict the story of the life of Buddha — the enlightened one. According to Buddhist legend, a Bodhisattva, the Buddha-to-be, descended from Heaven to help the world and was reborn as the historical Buddha.

Bright light, symbolic of all that is good in this world, streams through the stained-glass roof.

The fascinating work of art on the interior also reflects a marriage of Eastern and Western styles. The Western interpretation of the solar system is integrated with the beliefs of the exotic East. The Hindu-Buddhist cosmic universe is portrayed with Mount Meru, the mythical peak and ‘abode of the gods’ at the centre, surrounded by seven continents or seven rings of golden mountains. Each is separated from the other by one of seven circular cosmic oceans.
Travel time from the Erawan Museum to the Naval Museum: 15 minutes

Spend the next 45 minutes learning about the history of the Royal Thai Navy and major naval battles fought in the past. Accounts of important events such as the battle of Ko Chang, the heroes of Don Noi, and the first submarine to serve the Royal Thai Navy are presented in the form of a special exhibition.

The museum is open Monday to Friday 8.30 a.m. –

4 p.m.

For more information, please call: Tel. 0-2394-1997
Travel time from the Naval Museum to the Ancient City: 20 minutes

Spend the next 2 hours at the Ancient City — the largest outdoor museum in Thailand. The attractions at the Ancient City are spread out over a vast area of 128 hectares. Fortunately, it’s possible to drive from one stop to the next.

Drive past the entrance and journey back in time to a prosperous city, rich in material wealth and culture. Monuments representing various periods in the kingdom’s history are dotted around the site. Learn about the history, culture, religion, art, Thai customs and traditions, past to the present.

Key landmarks range from important royal palaces, temples, chedis or stupas, corn-cob-shaped Khmer-style towers called prang and Khmer-style temple sanctuaries constructed in stone. Traditional Thai houses in the various architectural styles reflect the changing cultural landscape and way of life of the kingdom’s four regions – North, Northeast, South and the Central Plains.

In an effort to preserve the kingdom’s historic landmarks for future generations, a few of these priceless monuments have been completely replicated or resurrected at the Ancient City.

Savour some local cuisine for lunch and shop for local handcrafted or home-made products as well as other merchandise from the four regions on sale at the Floating Market in the Ancient City.
Travel time from the Ancient City to the Samut Prakan Crocodile Farm and Zoo: 20 minutes

Spend the next 1 hour at the Samut Prakan Crocodile Farm and Zoo. Promoted as the world’s largest crocodile farm, over 100,000 crocodiles of various sizes are commercially bred. There are hourly crocodile shows from 9.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. (with a break at noon). On holidays, there are additional shows at noon and 5 p.m.

In addition, domesticated elephants show off their remarkable intelligence and dexterity during an elephant performance.

For further information, please call

Tel: (0) 2703 4891, (0) 2703 5144-8

Travel time 1 hour:

Depart from the Samut Prakan Crocodile Farm and Zoo for Suvarnabhumi Airport
Web sites:

Erawan Museum

www.erawan-museum.com

Naval Museum

www.paknam.com/content/view/86/54/

Ancient City

http://www.paknam.com/content/view/92/57/

Samut Prakan Crocodile Farm and Zoo

http://www.paknam.com/content/view/91/56/

Travel time from Suvarnabhumi Airport for the Old Bang Phli Market: 1 hour

Spend 1 hour 30 minutes at the 140-year-old Bang Phli Market. Browse around looking for good buys, particularly souvenirs. Catch a glimpse of the traditional Thai way of life along the picturesque river banks, far away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Pay respect to Luang Pho To, a sacred Buddha image at Wat Bang Phli Yai Nai temple in Samut Prakan Province, said to one of three legendary Buddha images from whom worshippers sought protection from danger during times of war. All three were bathed with consecrated lustral water and since then have been highly revered.

(Buddhist pilgrims usually visit all three sites to pay homage to Luang Pho Sothon at Wat Sothon Wararam Voravihan temple in Chachoengsao Province and Luang Pho Wat Ban Laem at Wat Phet Samut temple in Samut Songkhram Province in the same trip.)
 

 Travel time from Wat Bang Phli Yai Nai to Wat Bang Phli Yai Klang: 15 minutes

Spend the next 1 hour at Wat Bang Phli Yai Klang. The temple received the blessing of the king in 1935 and is now home to Thailand’s largest reclining Buddha image (approximately 53 metres long, 7.5 metres wide and 18 metres high) built in 1978. The interior of the reclining Buddha image consists of 28 rooms for practicing meditation. The image itself is divided into 4 levels. Level 2 is for practicing meditation; Level 3 houses writings on the life of the Buddha by Ajarn Watchara Sa-ngern, art teacher of Satri Samut Prakan School. Level 4 houses the Buddha image’s ‘heart of gold’.

Travel time from Wat Bang Phli Yai Klang back to Suvarnabhumi Airport: 1 hour

Travel time from Suvarnabhumi Airport to the Samut Prakan Crocodile Farm and Zoo: 1 hour

 Spend an hour at the Samut Prakan Crocodile Farm and Zoo. Promoted as the world’s largest crocodile farm, over 100,000 crocodiles of various sizes are commercially bred. There are hourly crocodile shows from 9.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. (with a break at noon). On holidays, there are additional shows at noon and 5 p.m.

There’s also time to enjoy a performance by domesticated elephants and for a visit to a dinosaur museum with displays and models of dinosaur skeletons, located on the same premises. A multi-vision slide presentation features human and animal models.

The Crocodile Farm is open every day from 7 a.m. – 6 p.m.
For further information, contact Tel: (0) 2703 4891, (0) 2703 5144-8
 

Travel time from the Samut Prakan Crocodile Farm and Zoo to Bang Pu seaside resort: 30 minutes

Spend an hour enjoying a leisurely lunch at Sukjai Pavilion, by the sea, in the coastal resort of Bang Pu. If there is enough time, drive past a mangrove forest and observe native as well as migratory birds search for food in this rich habitat. 

Travel time from the Bang Pu to the Ancient City: 30 minutes 
 

Spend the next 1 hour 30 minutes at the Ancient City – the largest outdoor museum in Thailand. The attractions at the Ancient City are spread out over a vast area of 128 hectares. Fortunately, it’s possible to drive from one stop to the next.

Drive past the entrance and journey back in time to a prosperous city, rich in material wealth and culture. Monuments representing various periods in the kingdom’s history are dotted around the site. Learn about the history, culture, religion, art, Thai customs and traditions, past to the present.

Key landmarks range from important royal palaces, temples, chedis or stupas, corn-cob-shaped Khmer-style towers called prang and Khmer-style temple sanctuaries constructed in stone. Traditional Thai houses in the various architectural styles reflect the changing cultural landscape and way of life of the kingdom’s four regions – North, Northeast, South and the Central Plains.

In an effort to preserve the kingdom’s historic landmarks for future generations, a few of these priceless monuments have been completely replicated or resurrected at the Ancient City.

Savour some local cuisine for lunch and shop for local handcrafted or home-made products as well as other merchandise from the four regions on sale at the Floating Market in the Ancient City.
 

Travel time from the Ancient City back to Suvarnabhumi Airport: 1 hour

Travel time from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Khlong Suan Market, Amphoe Bangbo, Samut Prakan Province: 40 minutes

Spend the next 1 hour at Khlong Suan Market.
This old market, which dates back over a century, straddles the two neighbouring provinces – Chachoengsao and Samut Prakan. The market is famous for the delicacies it offers such as braised duck, Chinese sausage, traditional coffee, and Thai sweets. Enjoy the picturesque view of houses along the canal and observe the communal way of life. 

Travel time from from Khlong Suan Market to Wat Sothorn Vararam Voraviharn situated in the provincial centre of Chachoengsao Province (Amphoe Mueang):
30 minutes

Spend 20 minutes at Wat Sothorn Vararam Voraviharn temple.
Pay homage to Luang Pho Sothon, a sacred Buddha image highly revered by local residents as well as visitors from out of town. Constructed with marble, the temple was built at a total cost of 2,500 million baht.

Spend the next 30 minutes on a cruise along the Bangpakong River. See the way of life along the river, learn about the history of the Bang Pakong River, and take photos of Wat Sothorn Vararam Voraviharn as a momento of your trip.
 

Travel time to Ban Mai Market: 30 minutes
 

Ban Mai Market is a 100 year-old market on the bank of the Bang Pakong River. Quench your thirst with refreshing fragrant young coconut juice. With dozens and dozens of food vendors, shop-house stalls serving up tempting local delicacies, savoury dishes as well as desserts, you’re spoilt for choice for lunch.

Travel time to Wat Chin Pracha Samosorn shrine: 30 minutes

Luang Pho To at Wat Uphai Phatikaram temple

Stop at Wat Chin Pracha Samosorn, a Chinese shrine, to pay homage to the God of Luck and at Wat Uphai Phatikaram temple to pay homage to Luang Pho To, one of the three highly respected images in Thailand.

Travel time from Chachoengsao Province back to Suvarnabhumi Airport: 40 minutes

Travel time from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Khlong Suan Market: 40 minutes

Spend 50 minutes at Khlong Suan Market.
This old market, which dates back over a century, straddles the two neighbouring provinces – Chachoengsao and Samut Prakan. The market is famous for the delicacies it offers such as braised duck, Chinese sausage, traditional coffee, and Thai sweets. Enjoy the picturesque view of houses along the canal and observe the communal way of life. Elderly residents of Chinese descent continue to pay respect at the shrine in the market in Chachoengsao Province. Enjoy old-style coffee at Pa Li’s shop, browse for souvenirs and other good buys, including local Thai desserts of Samut Prakan Province. 

Travel time from Khlong Suan Market for Tambon Tha Kham, Amphoe Bangpakong, Chachoengsao Province to see the Irrawaddy dolphins: 45 minutes
 

Spend a total of 2 hours on the cruise.
Arrive at the sub-district of Tambon Tha Kham and rent a fishing boat to see the dolphins at the mouth of the Bang Pakong River and the Gulf of Thailand.

During November to February, every year, families of dolphins swim up the estuary of the Bang Pakong River in search for food. If a gentle breeze blows, individual dolphins can be seen skimming the surface of the water. If it is windy, the dolphins will swim together in a school and ride the choppy waves.

Also enjoy some bird-watching whilst on the river cruise. During the cool season, some 50 species of native and migratory birds seek refuge in the mangrove forests of Bang Pakong.

There are several fisheries en route to the mouth of the river. Watch local fishermen rear fish in floating baskets placed in the river and observe the local way of life.

At the end of the cruise, enjoy a feast of delicious dishes prepared from freshly-caught fish and seafood for either lunch or dinner.

Travel time from Tambon Tha Kham back to Suvarnabhumi Airport: 45 minutes

TIPS AND ADVICE FOR
RESPONSIBLE IRRAWADDY-DOLPHIN WATCHING

- The best time of the day to see the Irrawaddy dolphins is in the morning before 9.00 a.m. when they are most active feeding on the catfish and there is a higher chance of sightings.
– Dolphins are also easier to see at high tide. Later in the day, they seem to spend more time ‘playing’ further out in the bay.
– Keep as quiet as possible. (Boatmen should turn down the engine to a slow idle.)
– Once dolphins have been spotted, boatmen should approach from downstream of the dolphins.
– As responsible tourists, please discourage boatmen from pursuing or chasing the dolphins.
– SWIMMING WITH WHALES AND DOLPHINS
Whale and dolphin behavior is not thoroughly understood. Experts advise that it is best to observe the animals without entering the water in order to protect yourself and the animals. Please refrain from jumping into the water and/or make attempts to swim with or touch the dolphins.

Suvarnabhumi Airport, Bangkok’s new international airport, is located on Bangna-Trat Road in Bang Phli District of Samut Prakan Province, approximately 25 kilometres from the heart of Bangkok.

If you’re waiting for a connecting flight and are ‘in transit’ for five to eight hours or if you’re seeing someone off on a morning flight and have several hours to spare before driving back to the airport to meet people arriving on a return flight later in the day, the provinces nearby Suvarnabhumi Airport offer some interesting attractions. These can be covered in half-day or full-day sight-seeing programmes.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand recommends a choice of five different sightseeing itineraries and routes featuring a range of tourist attractions and destinations in the neighbouring provinces of Samut Prakan and Chachoengsao. Each is within an-hour’s drive from Suvarnabhumi Airport.