Below are just a few of the day trips which you
could make around Bangkok which have a child focus. Of course, any new
experience is fascinating to a child, particularly in a place as colourful
and dynamic as Bangkok. So whether you are riding on a long tail boat
through the narrow waterways of the Chao Phraya river or looking at the
temples with their fabulous Buddha images, your stay in Bangkok is sure to
be one which is not quickly forgotten.
Be sure to buy yourself a Nancy Chandler Map of
Bangkok (any good bookstore in Bangkok or visit www.nancychandler.net
); This is the
clearest sight seeing map and also has lots of Nancy’s "hidden secrets" on
it which you would otherwise miss.
Idea
Why not buy a post card from every different place which you visit and
get your child to write a few words about their experience, then mail the
postcard to yourself. Once you return home, you can use the postcards to
remember the highlights of the trip and make a scrap book of the
journey.
The following "child friendly" trips have been given icons for whether
they are:
=
Fun for all the
family
=
Focusing on younger
children
=
Something which your
teenagers will enjoy
Dream
World
Dream World is an amusement park located beyond Don Muang Airport on Km
7 of the Rangsit-Ong Kharak Road. It is a classical European-style
fantasy-land, complete with a roller coaster, water ride, people dressed
in animal costumes and game machines. There is even a "snowland"!
Dream World is approximately 1 hour and 30mins from downtown Bangkok
and is open from 10.00 am to 5.00 pm on weekdays and 10.00 am to 7.00 pm
on weekends. The admission fee is Baht 250 plus service charges. Telephone
66 2 533 -1152, 533 -1447, 533 -1449.
Dusit
Zoo
The city's main zoo is located in Dusit district, close to Vimanmek
Palace on Ratwithi Road. The 19-hectare site was once a private botanical
garden for King Rama V. Today, much of the original tropical flora can
still be found and the lush gardens make an ideal retreat from the bussle
of the city.
The zoo has a large number of mammal, reptile and bird species,
including some of the rare Southeast Asian animals such as the Siamese
crocodile, gaur, and Sumatran rhinoceros.
Other activities include elephant rides, animal-feeding shows and rides
at the fair grounds. Paddle boats can be hired to go out on the lake at
the center of the zoo. A bird aviary and restaurants serving reasonably
priced Thai food are on the edge of the lake. The zoo is about 30mins from
downtown Bangkok and open from 8.00 am to 6.00 pm everyday. Admission is
Baht 20, telephone 66 2 281-2000, 281-1039.
Safari
World
Safari World in Bangkok's Minburi district, is split into two sections
covering some 170 acres in total. The first section is the drive-through
safari park with lions, tigers, bears, giraffe, zebra, deer and rare
species such as white pandas. You can either drive through in your own car
or take one of the park's air-conditioned coaches.
The second section is a walk-through marine park with performances by
trained animals such as dolphins and seals. Other entertainment includes
performing elephants and orang-utans, and a walk-in aviary.
Restaurants and shops are available throughout the park. Safari World
is approximately 1 hour away from downtown Bangkok and is open daily
from 9.00 am to 4.30 pm. The admission fee is Baht 350 for adults and Bant
225 for children. Telephone 66 2 518-1000.
The Snake
Farm
The Snake Farm is set up to produce anti-venom serum for snake-bite
victims through out Thailand. Venomous snakes at the farm include the king
cobra, Siamese cobra, Russell's viper, banded krait, Malayan pit viper,
green pit viper and Pope's pit viper. These are all milked daily for their
venom which is made into make the antidote. Venom-milking and
snake-handling shows are held daily at 10.30 am and 2.00 pm on weekdays
and 10.30 am on public holidays. The Snake Farm is located on Rama IV
Road, near Henri Dunant Avenue and is part of Thai Red Cross. The Snake
Farm is open to the public every day from 8.30 am to 4.00 pm on weekdays
and 8.30 am to 12.00 am on weekends and public holidays. The farm is about
15 minutes from the Amari Watergate Hotel and admission is Baht 70,
telephone 66 2 252-0161-4.
Rose
Gardens
The Rose Gardens have well-maintained gardens, restaurants, a
golf course, swimming pool, tennis court, an artificial lake with paddle
boats, elephant rides and a children's playground. There are Thai
Village Cultural Shows every afternoon. The Rose Gardens are in Nakon Pathom
and are open every day from 08:00 to 18:00, telephone 034 322588 -93 or
322544 -7.
http://www.rose-garden.com
Samphran Elephant
Grounds and Zoo
The Samphran Elephant Grounds and Zoo is located about a km before the Rose Gardens on the left hand side,
opposite the Joseph Upatham School), telephone 034 311971.
http://www.elephantshow.com
Crocodile Farm
and Dinosaur Museum
As well as the 30,000 crocodiles, there are tigers, lions, gibbons, snakes and elephants at
the Crocodile Farm. In addition, the Dinosaur Museum has models and
skeletons of various types of dinosaurs. Located 29 km from Bangkok on the
road to Samut Prakhan (before the Ancient City) Open every day from 07:00
to 18:00, telephone 703 5144 -8.
http://www.paknam.com/crocodile.htm
Parks
About two hours north of Bangkok, Lop Buri is one of Thailand's oldest
cities and with a rich archeological history. King Narai (1656-88) moved
his capital here to avoid a threatened Dutch blockade and the palace was
restored 150 years later by King Rama III. King Mongkut (1851-68) then
restored the central buildings which now house the museum.
On the way, visit Pra Buddhabat to see the Buddha's footprint, and ring
the 93 bells at the Wat by hitting them with a bamboo stick. When you
arrive at Lopburi, stop by the TAT Office as they have an excellent local
map listing the sights and restaurants.
First visit the 12th century ruins of Wat Phra Rattana Mahathat
and then go to the Prang Sam Yot to explore the temple and chase the
monkeys, which are everywhere. Then the Palace is also a good place to go as
the children can run through the ruins. The grounds are still a well
kept with many huge old trees providing good shade on a hot day.
实惠的泰国家庭假期。
