The trip dates below are numbered to match the itinerary of the Dutch travelers, including the travel day. This program has 13 land days.

Bangkok

Day 1 Flight to Bangkok
Day 2 Arrival Bangkok
Day 3 Bangkok trip

Upon arrival at the airport, you will be transferred to the hotel in Bangkok where you will meet the guide and other group participants. The hotel is centrally located in the district Banglampoo and it is equipped with air conditioning and a swimming pool. The main attractions are the National Museum, Wat Phra Keo and the Grand Palace, are easily reached on foot. During a tour by long tail boat on the klongs (canals) of Bangkok you can see how people live along the water. Boats take you to places you could otherwise not access. You will see some part of Bangkok with the guide, but you can also explore on your own such as the cozy Chinatown area or the large shopping mall Siam Square. You can navigate the area in many ways; the Chao Praya River Express Taxi, the regular taxi or with the typical Thai tricycle taxis, the tuk tuk. Travel to the other side of the river on the Royal Barges and the beautiful Wat Arun temple can be reached by boat. The hotel is near the popular Khao San Road, where you will find several shops and restaurants. At night, a nice market is set up where you are sure to find things to your liking.

River Kwai

Day 4 Bangkok - Damneon Saduak - River Kwai

Day 5 River Kwai

We leave early by bus from Bangkok to the chedi (stoepa) of Nakhon Pathom. This is the largest Buddhist structure in the world and the oldest chedi in Thailand. Then we drive to the floating market Damnern Saduak. Throughout the wetland perimeters, the farmers market their produce, which is a colorful spectacle. From here we will depart to Kanchanaburi, where we of course cross the infamous "Bridge on the River Kwai ". We also visit the cemetery and JEATH Museum. This museum consists of barracks in which photographs, paintings and newspaper clippings from World War II are hanging.  Here prisoners of war from different countries worked on the infamous Burma railway. In Kanchanaburi we can make an optional train trip on the route to Nam Tok. Then we take the boat on the Kwai Noi River to spend two nights on the the "Jungle Rafts". These are simple bungalows built on bamboo rafts in the middle of the jungle, floating on the river. You can relax or enjoy a visit to the Keang Lawa caves. It is also possible to have a nice raft ride on the river or to visit a nearby waterfall. In Kanchanaburi we can make an optional train trip on this route to Nam Tok where we pick up the bus. Then we sail on the Kwai Noi River to our wonderful stay on the "Jungle Raft.
The Jungle rafts are simple bungalows built on bamboo rafts on the river in the middle of the jungle. You can relax or enjoy a nice ride on a raft on the river or you can visit a nearby waterfall.
Ayutthaya, Sukhothai

6 Day River Kwai - Ayutthaya - Sukhothai

The next day we continue our route to Ayutthaya, one of the former capitals of Thailand (1350-1767). In the city many temples are left behind from the period, which was the richest city of the region. After a night in Ayutthaya we drive on to Sukhothai. En route we stop for lunch, perhaps in Phitsanulok, where we can visit a factory where Buddha statues are made.  Sukhothai, from 1238 to 1350, was the capital of Thailand. It has an impressive complex of temples, which spreads over a large area. The bicycle is the ideal way to explore these temples in the historical park and to admire the surroundings in Sukhothai.
Chiang Mai

Day 7 Sukhothai - Chiang Mai
Day 8 Chiang Mai
Day 9 Chiang Mai, trekking
Day 10 Chiang Mai night train to Bangkok

The journey from the capital of Sukhothai to the north, Chiang Mai takes about half a day arriving early in the afternoon. You will have about two full days to explore Chiang Mai. The walled city is situated at the foot of Doi Suthep Mountain (1685 m) and the River Ping. By bike or public transport you can explore the numerous temples of the city, such as Wat Phra Sing and Wat Chedi Luang. In the suburbs you can admire the silk weavers and umbrellas, lacquer work, silver smiths and wood processing.  There is a diversity of wonderful souvenirs. Also, it is fun to visit the villa of the royal family. We have reserved beds on the comfortable night train. The journey is about 14 hours from Chiang Mai to Bangkok.
Koh Samed

Day 11 Bangkok travelogue - Koh Samed
Day 12 Koh Samed
Day 13 Koh Samed
Day 14 Back to Bangkok, -  program ends in evening

In Bangkok mini vans pick us up for a trip of about 3 hours to Ban PHE. Then we travel by boat to Koh Samed. On the beach of this tropical island in the Gulf of Thailand, you can spend the last days of the trip. If you still have energy, there are plenty of opportunities for hiking on the island. It is also worth a trip to the various surrounding islands where you can snorkel and see the beautiful fish.  In the rainy season visibility in the water is not as good. Since the Thai government named the island a national park, there is an admission charge of 400 baht. In the afternoon of the last day of sailing you head back to the mainland where you arrive at the end of the afternoon.