The Dates:
Monday, March 3 through Friday, March 15, 2003

REGISTRATION FEE:

US$35/person.  This can also be paid by credit card to the hotel at the time of rooms booking.

 The Place:
The fabulous and exotic Kingdom of Thailand, where we do the city-beach thing!
 http://www.thaismile.co.uk/

The Hotels:
The beautiful Bangkok Marriott Resort & Spa on the famous Chao Phyra, “River of Kings.”
 http://www.marriotthotels.com/bkkth

MANDARA SPA--
Because of the size of our group, it will be important to book well in advance--which you can do via the same hotel
reservation email address.  Book early  to avoid disappointment.
I have attached the BANGKOK MARRIOTT SPA MENU l---prices for both the Hua
Hin Marriott and Anantara (Hua Hin sister hotel) Spas are approximately
the same and will be confirmed to you when you book.   Prices are in Baht.

The Hua Hin Marriott Resort & Spa on the Gulf of Siam and summer residence of Thailand’s Royal Family.
 http://www.marriotthotels.com/hhqmc

HOTEL RATES:

Bangkok Marriott Resort & Spa---Deluxe River View US$90/room/night
                                                      Junior Suite            US$120/room/night

Hua Hin Marriott Resort & Spa--Garden View US$70/room/night
                                                   Sea View US$80/room/night

All rates are INCLUSIVE of a great Breakfast Buffet, 10% Service Charge
& Government Tax (7%).
You'll also get:
Welcome drink on arrival
Complimentary coffee and tea making facilities in your room
Complimentary use of the health club/gym.

All rates non-commisionable and need to be booked DIRECTLY to the hotel,
by phone fax or emaiL NOT through any travel agent, hotel or Marriott
web sites, etc.

Please note you have 2 Registrations to fill.  Tours are operated by the Hotels and also Tour Operators.  Please register at 1 & 2 below.

Hotel Rooms Bookings & Registration Fee:
Email:  sudawadee_pa@minornet.com
1-Click here to fill in the Registration for the Hotel operated tours you want
or Phone:  +66 2 476-0021   Fax:  +66 2 476-6165
.
You'll need to mention the Special King George V Reunion Rate when booking.

Each hotel will require a one night deposit at the time of booking and a
one time Registration Fee of US$35.  This can be paid by credit card.

CURRENCY EXCHANGE

The Baht is currently at approximately 44 Baht = US$1.00.
It is best to do your money exchanging at the airport or at the Bank located in the
Hotel Shopping Plaza for the best official rates.  You will not get a great rate at the hotel.
You'll also note that most prices quoted by the hotels are in US dollars
and prices from our Ground operator are quoted in local currency.

Click here for Prices and Registration details

or

2 - Click here to fill in the Registration for the tours you want and fax to the operator at  66 2 254 8707  or 66 2 2560248 or 66 2 2560249

Click here for Names of those registered

Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Feb 28-March 2

Jet in early, check-in; relax by the pool, book a Jet Lag Massage Treatment at our Mandara Spa; take the “Manohra Song” (http://www.manohracruises.com/) luxury river rice barge over-night cruise to the Old Siamese capital of Ayutthaya; go shopping; visit Chatachuk the biggest open air market in the world; have a game of tennis; pump iron in the gym; visit the hotel’s own Shopping Plaza; wine and dine at any of the 14 restaurants and bars, including world-famous Trader Vic’s, equally renowned Benihana’s; enjoy a dinner cruise or outing on the other two beautifully restored river rice barges, the “Manohra” or “Manohra Moon;” ride the BTS Skytrain to shopping areas and sight-seeing spots—or simply relax and unwind in your river-view room!  For all of you who are checking in early, a fabulous breakfast buffet in The Market Restaurant (7-10:30 am) is included in your room rate, which is also the same low rate you’ll pay throughout your stay at the Bangkok Marriott Resort & Spa.
 

Sunday, March 2, 2003

The real fun gets underway!  Many will still be arriving, so plan to meet up around the pool in the afternoon for a swim before the Official Registration 5-8 PM.  Naturally, you will have all already paid your small registration fee—so this is a time just to gather and say hello.  Pick up all your Registration Materials and Name Tags.  Name Tags Must Be Worn At All Times (OK, not in the pool) on all excursions and events—it’s your ticket to ride! After you collect your stuff, grab some pals for a Casual Pool side BBQ, with three food stations and a cash bar. Cost: US$15 per person.
Have a massage and turn in early because we start out again in the morning at 8:30 am.
 
 

Monday, March 3, 2002

Here we go!  A fab buffet breakfast—just for us—in Trader Vic’s from 7:00—8:15 am.  This is where we’ll have breakfast every morning, except Sunday—if you can keep track of the days.  Then at 8:30 am at the Manohra Yacht Club Pier at the hotel, we board our Longtail boats for an exciting, scenic–and noisy—trip along Klong Bangkok Noi.  Along the way, you’ll see the real Bangkok river folk living along the banks of the Klong and the real “floating markets;” we’ll stop at the Snake Farm where you can see the Cobra show and take pictures.  Then we’ll continue to the famous Temple of Dawn—Wat Arun. We’ll explore the Wat and you can do a bit of shopping, take pictures and get a cool drink.

click on above picture for a larger image.

Then it’s back to the hotel for lunch around the pool and a free afternoon to take the BTS Skytrain get that first fitting at Raja’s Tailors(Tel: 02 253 8379) on Soi Nana for a new suit; gem shopping at David Glickman’s (02 236-4343) shop on Silom Road; visit all the shops in the hotel’s shopping plaza; head off to the Spa, the gym or the tennis courts—but don’t over do it.

At 7:00 pm, we meet at the hotels Riverside Terrace for an unbelievable buffet and a truly wonderful Thai Dance, Music and Cultural Show, featuring songs, dance and entertainment from the Kingdom’s four principle regions.

Carry on the late night fun at Trader Vic’s Mai Tai Bar, or the Elephant Bar or the Longtail Bar, by the hotel Pier.  No, we visit sexy PATPONG tomorrow night! PATPONG also has a great Night Market for those not into the topless bar scene and interested in those “copy watches” and Gucci bags.

KLONG BANGKOK NOI TRIP--
We will have a combination of Long-Tail Boats (10 passengers maximum) and Express Boat (36 passengers maximum).
The Long-Tails are fun--but very noisy and a bit more difficult to get in and out of.  The Express Boats are a bit more comfortable, not as noisy and much easier to get in and out of.  When making your reservation,
please indicate your preference.  We will do our best to give you the vessel of your choice.
Cost:  Baht 520 per person.

RIVERSIDE TERRACE BBQ BUFFET & THAI CULTURAL SHOW--
We'll  have tables of 10 or more reserved.  One person at each table should take responsibility for dividing up the
drinks check and  collecting from everyone at the end of the show.
Cost:  US$22 per person

Tuesday, March 4

Breakfast at your leisure at Trader Vic’s, but don’t be late at the Manohra Yacht Club pier at 9:00 am for our transfer by “Manohra” and “Manohra Moon” river rice barges to the Grand Palace Pier.  We’ll then walk up to the Grand Palace and spend a couple of hours touring the magnificent Palace Grounds, “make merit” at the Temple of the Emerald Buddha and Wat Po, home of Thai massage.  Remember the dress code for the Palace—no shorts, muscle Ts, open-toed shoes or sandals, no sleeveless blouses or short skirts.  Since you’ll have to take off your shoes to visit inside the temples, loafers are good and wear socks for the hot pavement!

After the Palace tours, we’ll return by Tuk-Tuk Caravan to River City Shopping Center, which has wonderful—albeit pricey, but still cheap by international standards—antiques on the upper floors.  Shop River City or walk up Silom road for more bargains.  For those not interested in shopping, you can hop on the hotels free water taxis right at the River City Pier and head back for a burger around the pool.

But be back at the hotel pier in time for our 8:00 pm departure for our romantic private charter dinner cruise on “Manohra” and “Manohra Moon,” where you’ll enjoy the special magic of the River of Kings at night along with a great Thai meal served while underway.  I have reserved both boats (capacity 40 passengers each—so reserve early!).  The rice barge will drop us after dinner at the BTS Skytrain pier for a “Pub Crawl” and Night Market visit to Bangkok’s famous—or notorious, if you prefer—PATPONG!  Afterwards, you’re on your own to stagger back to the hotel by taxi.

GRAND PALACE, WAT PO, TEMPLE OF THE EMERALD BUDDHA AND POLICE ESCORTED TUK-TUK CARAVAN TO RIVER CITY--
We go by boat from the hotel to the Ta Chang Pier, near the Grand Palace--walk through a small market square to
the Palace for our guided tour of this Wonder of the Modern World. We'll walk back to the Ta Chang Pier for a short
cruise to the Tatien Pier and walk to Wat Po to view the temple and its enormous reclining Buddha.  From here, well
board our personal Tuk-Tuks (with our own police escort) for our fun filled ride to Bangkok famous River City
Shopping mecca--which also happens to be one of the three places on the river your can board the Bangkok Marriott's
free river taxi boats for the journey back to the hotel at your leisure.
Costs:  Baht 1,100 per person, which includes admissions to the Grand
Palace and Wat Po, Tuk-Tuks and police escort.

MANOHRA & MANOHRA MOON DINNER CRUISE--
You'll enjoy a wonder Thai set dinner served to you aboard one of these fabulously restored rice barges while cruise
the Chao Phyra River of Kings and marveling at the lights and site of the river by night.  Seating is limited to 35 persons
per boat, so first come, first served (although there is a possibility of chartering another rice barge if demand warrants.
Costs:  US$28 per person (food only)  There is a full cash bar on board.

PART TWO OF THE DINNER CRUISE EVENING ABOVE  IS THE PATPONG PUB
CRAWL--Arrangements costs still being finalized

Wednesday, March 5, 2003

FULL DAY TOUR TO AYUTTHAYA, ANCIENT CAPITAL OF SIAM AND WORLD HERITAGE SITE
Depart hotel pier: 09:00am
Return hotel lobby: 05:30PM
Transport: boat and coach
Price: THB 2,500 per person
Highlights: River cruise, royal summer palace and temple ruins

This full-day trip to Ayutthaya, the ancient capital of Siam, is a must for those who are interested in history and ancient sites.
We depart the hotel pier at 9:00am for a leisurely cruise upriver along the Chao Phraya, Bangkok’s River of Kings. Before arriving in Ayutthaya, we’ll have a delicious buffet lunch on the boat .

Ayutthaya, invaded by the Burmese 200 years ago, is a busy modern country town, dotted by magnificent ruins, some of which have been restored quite well. From what you’ll see standing, you can well imagine many of the city's past glories with fine palaces, imposing temples, and splendid monuments.

We will visit famous temples such as Wat Chaiwattanaram and Wat Phrasisanpetch, there will also be a chance to ride an elephant, as an optional activity and at extra cost.

Our tour of Ayutthaya, which has been declared a World Heritage Site, also takes us to Bang Pa-In. Here is a pretty collection of pavilions and palaces once used as a summer residence by Thai kings. The architecture is varied to say the least, and you'll see touches of Italian, Victorian and Chinese in the structures. The palaces are not open to the public, but we will tour the gardens and grounds. In the middle of a little lake is a beautiful Thai-style pavilion, reflected beautifully in the calm water. It is often said to be the most photographed building in Thailand. There is a shrine near the river that is dedicated to King Rama V's wife who drowned in the river. The boat in which she was in overturned and she fell into the river. She could not swim, and the attendants, by tradition, were not allowed to touch royalty. It was a real tragedy.

This tour into Thailand’s rich past ends with a transfer from Ayutthaya back to the hotel in the late afternoon. We arrive back at the Bangkok Marriott Resort & Spa around 5:50pm.

This is our only really FULL DAY excursion, so get down to Trader Vic’s early if you want breakfast before we board the “The Boat”.  We’ll depart from the hotel pier at 9:00 am for the nearly 90 kilometer trip up the Chao Phyra “River of Kings” to the Royal Summer Places at Bang Pa-In.  We’ll have a superb lunch on board before touring the Summer Palaces.  We’ll continue on to the old Siamese capital and World Heritage sites of Ayutthaya.  Please remember the rules for temple attire—although it is not so strict as in the Grand Palace!  There might even be time between the Wats, Temples and Stupas for a ride on an elephant!  When you are Wat’ed out—we board the coaches for the hour and a half ride back to the hotel.  Dinner tonight is your choice in the hotel or you might want to visit one of the other river hotels, such as the world famous Oriental Hotel and their equally popular Bamboo Bar.

Thursday, March 6, 2003

Today you can sleep in a bit—we’ll have a later start than usual after breakfast in Trader Vic’s—10 am from the hotel’s Lower Lobby.  We’ll coach to one of the most interesting and nicest private museums, the Prasert Museum, followed by a lunch at Cafe Siam, before continuing to tour the Jim Thompson House.  Jim Thompson was the legendary American who was the father of the modern Thai Silk business and his disappearance in Malaysia is still one of the great mysteries of Asia.  We’ll be back at the hotel in the early afternoon for a swim or any optional activities you might desire.

But by 7:30 pm, we off on the coaches again from the Lower Lobby for one of the greatest culinary adventures you’ll ever experience.   We’re dining at the famous Seafood Market.  Just bring your appetite—their boast is “If it swims—we have it!” And have it they do!

PRASERT MUSEUM, LUNCH AT CAFE SIAM, FOLLOWED BY THE JIM THOMPSON HOUSE VISIT--
Will take the Coaches to the Prasert Museum one of the nicest private museums in Asia, and then  on to Cafe Siam for
lunch and then on to the Thai silk king Jim Thompson's House by smaller mini vans due to access to the smaller street.
Costs:  Baht 2,400 per person includes lunch and all admission and transfer fees

THE SEAFOOD MARKET--
A not-to-be-missed night out!  We 'll travel by the coaches.  Tables of 8-10 will be reserved for us.  This is done Thai
Family Style--every one shares!!  A Seafood Market staffer will accompany each table group with a shopping cart and
she'll assist you in "shopping" for your dinner--including fish, shell fish, sushi, salads, veggies, garlic bread, fruits--don't
forget the wine.  At the check-out booth, one person should pay for the group and split the costs back at the table.  After you've paid for your "shopping," a waiter will appear at your table with your "shopping" and let you know all the various
ways it can be prepared--baked, steamed, fried, spicy, mild, garlic, etc.There is an small extra charge for the cooking,
which will come at the end of your meal, along with your drinks bill.  Again, one person should be elected to pay and
split the bills between everyone else.
Costs:  Baht 200 per person which covers transfer only

Friday, March 7, 2003

This is YOUR DAY!  Breakfast (7:00 am-10: 30am) at Trader Vic’s or sleep in.  Shop, play golf, get that other fitting, be pampered in the Spa; swim; take a Thai Cooking Class, learn Thai Massage, or take a Fruit Carving Class.  Laze around the pool or go out on the town—the choice is yours.  Even dinner is your choice.  However, later in the evening—depending on our negotiations to resurrect our favorite school band, The Kontinentals—we will hopefully have an evening of their music followed by our own DJ spinning your favorites from the 50s and 60s and we will all dance the night away.  Open Cash Bar.
 

Saturday, March 8, 2003

Breakfast—guess where—yes, Trader Vic’s.  At 8:30 am we’ll depart on the Manohra rice barges for the BTS Skytrain pier for the short trip to Chatachuck Weekend Market.  This is the one place to get all your gifts for the folks at home.  It is as popular with the local Thais as it is with the tourists.  Bargain all you like, but it is considered bad form to bargain hard--then walk away without buying.  Be sure you use your Nancy Chandler Map of Bangkok—there’s a very good map of the weekend market on the back—you’ll need it.  There’s several good small restaurants located within the market.  Back to the hotel on your own—just remember where the Skytrain is and back to the pier for the hotel taxi boat.

Tonight is our Gala Dinner in the Ballroom.  Cocktails at 7:30 pm; Dinner Seating at 8:00 pm.  Again we hope to have the Kontinentals perform, as well as our own DJ spinning the hits of yesterday.  Dressy Tropical.

CHATUCHAK WEEKEND MARKET--
We'll transfer by the Manohra Rice Barges from the hotel to the Sky Train Pier with our guides (one guide per 20
guests) and go out to the Weekend Market--a Scavenger Hunt is being planned for this outing---we might be pitting the
School Houses against each other??----and you'll return to the hotel on your own by Sky Train, taxi (don't forget your
hotel address card), river taxi--at your option and cost.  More news later on the Scavenger Hunt.
Costs: Baht 150 per person including pre-paid one-way Sky Train Ticket and guides.

Sunday, March 9,2003

Something different for this morning—No Breakfast; instead we’ll have an early Dim Sum Brunch in The Rice Mill Chinese Restaurant from Noon–2 pm prior to our departure for the beach at Hua Hin.  It is suggested that you pack up and check out (Pay the Bill) before lunch so as not to delay our 2:00 pm departure by coach from the Lower Lobby.  On the way to Hua Hin, we’ll stop at the White Palace and take the cable car up to the Palace and have a brief look around.  Beware of the monkeys—they love to make off with glasses, cameras, purses, etc.  We should arrive at the Hua Hin Marriott Resort & Spa in time for a swim and walk on the beach before dinner.  Dinner will be an old-fashioned Beach Party on the beach lawn.  Hot Dogs, Hamburgers, French Fries, Baked Beans, Pizza, Beer & Wine, Ice Cream—the works!  Beach Attire, but of course.  Dance in the sand or on the lawn to our own DJ spinning your 50s and 60s favorites and probably Phil’s CDs as well!!

CHINESE DIM SUM SET LUNCH--
In the Rice Mill Restaurant--limited seating so first come, first served.
Costs:  US$9 per person (food only)

ONE WAY TRANSFER BY 40-SEAT COACHES TO HUA HIN WITH A STOP AT THE WHITE
PALACE (SUNDAY, MARCH 9, 2003)
Costs:  Baht 550 per person

HUA HIN ARRIVAL BEACH PARTY--
Burgers, hot dogs, Pizza, baked beans, potato salad, the works.
Costs:  US$20 per person food only

Monday, March 10, 2003

Here it is—another FREE DAY!!  Breakfast Buffet in the Marriott Cafe up to 10:30 am.  This is a golf day for those that want to play.  There are several great courses with 30-60 minutes, including the Royal Hua Hin Golf Course, the first in championship course in Thailand, built in 1928.  There’s also tennis, water sports, the Spa, visit the town, shop, and visit the fisherman at the two small fishing ports.  You can also visit the largest teakwood Palace in the world, about half-an-hour away.  In the evening, we will visit the luxurious Anantara Resort & Spa—just a few minutes away.  They with they will recreate LOY KRA THONG, the annual Thai Water Festival and one of the nicest celebrations of the year.

LOY KRATONG POOL SIDE THEME DINNER PARTY AT ANANTARA--
Costs:  Baht 1,950 per person (food only) minimum 40 persons

Tuesday, March 11, 2003

KAENG KRAJARN NATIONAL PARK
Today we'll visit Thailand largest national park. We leave by coach from
the hotel in the morning--time to be advised--and arrive at a large
freshwater lake where we board a local long-tail boat fro a cruise along
the lake. Following the boat trip, we'll build up an appetite for lunch
with a one kilometer walk through the national park and you'll get a
chance to paddle your own kayak on the lake. A jungle BBQ lunch will be
served in the park.  After lunch you will have time to stroll through
the parkland and observe the wildlife during an escorted wildlife trek
or paddle your kayak on the lake.  We'll return to the hotel mid
afternoon by coach.  Plenty of time for a swim and cocktails before the
Seafood Dinner in Hua Hin town later this evening.

Price: @THB 1,700 net per person inclusive of all ground arrangements
and BBQ lunch by Hua Hin Marriott.  Minimum Guarantee 30 pax.

The Golfers can get in a round of golf in the afternoon.  In the evening, it will be a Thai Seafood BBQ Dinner at sea-front restaurant in Hua Hin town.
 

THAI SEAFOOD BBQ SET DINNER AT A LOCAL HUA HIN FISHING VILLAGE
RESTAURANT--
Costs:  Baht 1,500 per person including transfers

Wednesday, March 12, 2003

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 2003
Kanchananburi Full-Day Tour
Depart hotel lobby: 09:00am
Return hotel lobby: 06:00
Transport: coach and train
Price: THB 1,650 per person

Highlights: Museum, war graves, historic train ride and rural Thailand
We depart the hotel after breakfast at 9:00am and transfer by coach for approximately two hours to Kanchanaburi, arriving at the JEATH War Museum.
JEATH stands for Japan, England, America/Austraila, Thailand, and Holland - the six countries that were involved with the construction of the "Death Railway" during World War II.  The Japanese were the controllers of the railway project, Thailand was the conquered country and the other four countries were involved as POW's on the actual construction of the 415 km long railway, and the Bridge over the River Kwai.

The railway was a strategic railway built between Thailand and Burma as a way to supply the Japanese army.  The first survey by the Japanese engineers estimated that it would take at least 5 years to finish the railway line, but the Japanese army forced the prisoners to complete it in only 16 months.  Of the 230,000 POW's and oppressed labourers, over half of them died due to disease, starvation and lack of medical treatment.  Many were literally worked to death, thus the name "Death Railway."

After the short stop at the museum, we take a five minute drive to the Bridge Over the River Kwai.  Made famous by the Academy award-winning movie. The bridge was actually destroyed by B-25 liberators and not by the prisoners themselves.

After walking on and around the bridge, we then proceeded to the train station where we take a one hour train across the Bridge Over the River Kwai, through the beautiful Thai countryside and the "Hellfire Pass."

Here you can sing “Here we come....Walkin’ down the street....All aboard Amtrak!”

The train ride is a chance to ‘go local’ and kind of neat.  Wooden seats and no air- conditioners, other than the wood slatted windows being open.
A Thai set lunch will be served at a local restaurant nearby the bridge. We tour around Kanchanaburi in the afternoon, arriving back at the hotel late afternoon.
 

Thursday, March 13, 2003

Today, after a leisurely breakfast, we’ll depart by coach to board our own boats for a short trip to one of the lovely offshore islands—not too far offshore!  There will be swimming, sun bathing, snorkeling and a beach BBQ lunch.  Back at the hotel in the late afternoon.  Dinner tonight is your choice—why not try either of the Italian restaurants at Anantara or the Marriott for a change of pace?  There's also a great Steakhouse at the Marriott.  After dinner, take in the small Hua Hin Night Market in the center of Hua Hin Town.
 

Friday, March 14, 2003

Well, this is it—our last real full day together.  Breakfast Buffet in the Marriott Cafe.  A FREE DAY to spend with friends old and new.  All your options are open.  Golf, Tennis, Water Sports, The Spa.  In the evening we’ll have our Farewell Gala Dinner Dance.  Again we hope to have the Kontinentals on board for part of the evening followed by our trusty DJ and his 50s and 60s platters.
Hua Hin Gala Dinner Menu

Saturday, March 15, 2003

Breakfast at your leisure at the Marriott Cafe.  Pack up and check out.  Board the coaches for Bangkok International Airport.

TRANSFER FROM HUA HIN TO BANGKOK INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT--
Costs:  Baht 570 per person (minimum 30 passengers traveling in a group)
3-5 Passengers Baht 1,520 per passenger
6-14 Passengers Baht 1,110 per passenger
15-29 Passengers Baht 760 per passenger

Click here for Prices and Registration details
 
 

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