Rose Garden Riverside (SAMPRAN RIVERSIDE)

SAMPRAN RIVERSIDE
an eco-cultural destination since 1962

SAMPRAN is a wholesome resort for the young and old

Sampran Riverside (formerly known as Rose Garden Riverside) is a family-run resort an hour away from Bangkok, where visitors can experience authentic Thai way of life. Considered as one of Bangkok's "must see" attractions, SAMPRAN is located in a 70-acre riverside property that offers its visitors unique facilities that include a 4-star riverside hotel with 160 rooms, 6 antique Thai houses, an authentic Thai SPA, 4 restaurants, an organic farm, a weekend farmers' market and a uniquely-designed Thai Village Cultural Center.  Back in 1962, the business started as a supplier of roses to the Bangkok flower markets.

1. How to go to SAMPRAN.
              SAMPRAN is located by the Ta-Chine River in Bangkok's neighboring province of Nakhon Pathom.  It is approximately 30 kilometers from Bangkok City and takes about 1 hour drive through a nicely-paved highway.  Driving your own vehicle is advantageous as you can stop along the way for some fresh fruits and produce.  Local tour operators also offer half day trip to SAMPRAN or a taxi can be rented from Bangkok.

Floating market

2.  What to see.

Thai Village - this unique village is where most daily activities take place.  In the mornings, villages teach Thai arts and crafts at different workshops around the village.  In the a afternoon, the villages all join to perform the THAI VILLAGE SHOW, a 40-minute cultural show.

Antique Thai Houses and restaurants

Four-star hotel

Four-star family hotel - located beside the river, the hotel has complete facilities --- meeting rooms, restaurants, swimming pool.   


Restaurants - Four restaurants operate inside the resort. (1) Vanda Pavillion beside the lake; (2) Inn Chan Restaurant located beside the river with one of its part "floating" on the river; (3) Rim Nam Restaurant located inside the hotel; and (4) Kao Gaeng Cafeteria located along the souvenir shops.

Six antique Thai houses, Chinese Mansion, Organic farm field, Rim Klong Market, small floating market, souvenir shops.

3. What to do.

a. Morning activities - "Living the Thai Culture" (Arts and craft workshops) - daily from 10am to 12noon - Thai music and dance, garland making and fruit carving, traditional pottery, Thai martial arts, silk processing, traditional weaving, umbrella painting, bamboo dancing, Thai herbal pavillion and rice farming.

b. Afternoon activities - Thai Cultural Show - daily 13:30 and 14:45;  elephant demonstration - daily at 14:30 and 15:30.

Elephant demonstration and rides

Cultural show including Thai boxing demo

c. Additional activities - organic farm tour, thai cooking class, river cruise, herbal product workshop, elephant ride for children and adults, snake petting,






4. Fees

a. Entrance and Parking - FREE
b. Elephant ride - Baht 120 (approx. US$4.00) for adults and 50% off for children
c. Cultural show in an air-conditioned native pavillion - Baht 550 per person (approx. US$18)
d. Baby elephant photo op - Bhat 40 per person ($1.35)

5. Contact information

SAMPRAN RIVERSIDE
Km. 32 Pet Kasem Road, Sampran
Nakorn Pathom 73110
Tel. (034) 322 544, 225, 205
www.sampranriverside.com

King's Summer Palace in Ayuthaya

BANG PA-IN PALACE IN AYUTHAYA

Just an hour's drive from Bangkok (90 kilometers)  is Ayuthaya, an ancient Siamese capital for over 400 years famous for its temple ruins and summer palaces. Among the "must-see" attractions in Authaya is the Bang-In Palace, a former Royal Summer Residence, which represents a fine example of Thai architecture. This Royal Palace at Bang-In has history dating back in the 17th century. But today, the Palace is used occasionally by the Royal Family as a residence and for holding receptions and banquets.

Similar to most Thai royal palaces, the compound of this Summer Palace is divided into two sections --- the Outer and the Inner Palace.  Whereas the Outer consists of buildings for public and ceremonial uses, the Inner Palace is reserved for the King and his immediate family.


1. Visitng hours to the Palace  is 8:00 am to 3:30 pm everyday, including weekends and public holidays.

2.  Entrance ticket per person  is Baht 100 (approx. US$3.50).  Local visitors (Thai) pay less.

3. Rental of electric cart which rides 4 persons is Baht 400 (approx. US$ 14). Palace grounds are walkable but because of the huge area of the Palace, the use of electric car (golf cart) is advisable especially when the sun is out.  Any adult may drive the electric car but are asked to strictly follow driving and parking rules.

4. Visitors are advised to follow a dress code.  Shorts and sleeveless shirts are unacceptable. However, visitors may borrow cover clothes with a deposit of Baht200 (US$7).

5.  Cameras are allowed except in some parts of the Chinese-style two-storey mansion with ornamented tiled floors, massive ebony furniture, gold, silver and porcelain jars and wares.

6.  There is a Snack Bar located at the entrance/exit of the Palace where you can eat and buy some local souvenir items.  Try their fruit juices. You can also find the toilets in the same building.

7.  Touring the whole palace complex will usually take at least an hour and a half.

8.  Contact telephone of the Palace is (035) 261 548; (035) 261-044.

9. Ayuthaya tour is also  available through local tour companies.  The tour brings you on air conditioned bus to Bang-In palace and return is on a boat.  The tour visits to three fascinating temples - Wat Mahathat, Wat Lokayasutharam and Wat Na Phra Mane.  The Tour starts from the River City Shopping Complex at 7:30am and returns at approximately 3:30 pm.  Tour companies charge different prices but most will charge Baht 1800 ($60) per person and Baht 1300 ($44) per child (between 3-10 years old). Fee includes a seat in an air-conditioned vehicle with English-speaking guide, admission fees, buffet lunch on board.  Check the internet for Asia Web Direct for your tour booking.
   
10 Other places to see near Bang Pa-In Palace is he Ayuthaya Historical Park where you find four temples --- Wat Phra Ram, Wat Phra Si Sanphet and Wat Mahathat, Wat Ratchaburana.

11. Elephant ride is also available in the area. 
 

Reclining buddah (Phra Budhasaiyart)

January 2013

River Cruise in Bangkok

THE RICE BARGE CRUISE on Chao Phaya River (Bangkok River)

The Express Boat

Daily two-hour trip (from 2:30 - 4:30 pm)  starts by Express boat from River City Pier. It passes through various canals (klongs) and temples. The tour gives you a glimpse into Bangkok's early history. It passes through the Chinatown, the flower market at Pak Klang, the majestic Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn) ,the Memorial Bridge, the Royal Thai Navy, Chinese Shrine and the Grand Palace.  The cruise also passes through a local floating market and briefly stops at a spot where you can feed fishes (fish food sold in the boat at Baht 20 per pack). The English-speaking tour guide enlightens you with information on the surrounding places during the cruise.

Feeding fishes is fun

Temples all the way

the majestic WAT ARUN

The second part of the tour will allow you to embark a converted rice barge and enjoy a Thai fruit buffet along with ice-cold cocktails and local Thai rum.  Shortly after embarking, the boat staff distributes cool towels and non-alcoholic Mai Tai cocktails to all the  passenger before presenting the table of Thai fruits  consisting of rambutan, pomelo, mango, mangosteen, dragon fruit, pineapple, guava, papaya, watermelon and some local sweets.  The boat brings you back at the River City Pier where most passengers disembark.  The same boat moves on to China Town from the River City Pier.  Therefore, passengers who wish to go to China Town need not disembark at the River City Pier.

Buffet of fresh fruits is offered at the RICE BARGE

1. Buying your Tour Tickets.   You have three (3) options to get your tour tickets, namely:
               Option 1:  Use the internet and access the website of AsiaWebDirect Tours (http://www.asiawebdirect.com) or email tour@asiawebdirect.com.  The system will allow you to reserve and purchase your seats using your credit card at least two days before your intended travel.  You will receive a confirmation of your purchase plus your reference voucher with number in your email. Present this voucher at the ticketing counter at River City Pier and you will given your boarding pass.
         In the event that you would want to purchase your tickets on the day of your travel, you can call the Customer Service (+66 2 694 5771) which is operated 24 hours, 7 days a week.  The English-speaking account officer will call the boat company and if seats are available, he or she will allow you to purchase your ticket on-line and give you the reservation voucher by email.

             Option 2: You may go directly to the River City Pier and purchase your ticket directly from the boat company ticketing desk which is located near the embarkation gate at the Pier.  This option is not recommended during peak season as you run the risk of not being able to get a ticket.

            Option 3:  Call the boat company directly and do your reservations:

                                    A CHAO PHAYA CHARTERED CO. LTD
                                   292 Ratchawong Road, Chakrawat
                                   Sumphanthawong, Bangkok 10100, Thailand
                                   Tel. (662) 622 7657-61; 223 8064; 222-8679
                                   www.wanfahcruise.com or reservation@wanfah.in.th

2. Prices of tickets
             a. Tickets purchased through the internet: Baht 870 per person ($29)
             b. Tickets purchased at the gate (in River City Pier) : Baht 1000 per person ($34) 

3. Dinner Cruise is available with WAN FAH Dinner Cruise. The boat will take you on a dinner cruise night along the Chao Phraya River. The boat passes through the Oriental Mandarin Hotel and the Shangrila Hotel to pick up dinners.  You can call the same company above for reservations or queries on prices. (private contact: Weny Adonay Lertsongkram - Tel 082-325330; wenyadonay@yahoo.com)

Boat for the dinner cruise

January 2013