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Thailand

The Best of Thailand: An Exploration of the Culture and Kingdom

Program No. 22813RJ
Delight in the beauty of Thailand as you enjoy gentle hikes, walks, canoe rides and boat excursions through its cultural and natural wonders.

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Select your type of room
Price will update based on selection
Prices displayed below are based on per person,doubleoccupancy.
DATES & starting prices
PRICES
Feb 2 - Feb 16, 2024
Starting at
3,799
Feb 16 - Mar 1, 2024
Starting at
3,799
Oct 11 - Oct 25, 2024
Starting at
3,699
Nov 1 - Nov 15, 2024
Starting at
3,799
DATES & starting prices
PRICES
Feb 2 - Feb 16, 2024
Starting at
4,339
Feb 16 - Mar 1, 2024
Starting at
4,339
Filling Fast!
Oct 11 - Oct 25, 2024
Starting at
4,189
Nov 1 - Nov 15, 2024
Starting at
4,339

At a Glance

In the Kingdom of Thailand, quiet walks along tea plantations reveal acres of oolong, while gentle hikes in the jungle offer a chance to learn about exotic animals. But there’s so much more to discover! Take in the riot of colors and spices on an expert-led discovery of busy marketplaces, swim in the turquoise waters of the coast or learn about phosphorescence and fireflies during an evening canoe ride on Phang Nga Bay. Create your own Thai cuisine during hands-on cooking classes, and meet monks who have devoted their lives to Buddhist traditions. The best of Thailand awaits!
Activity Level
Let's Go!
Walking up to 3 miles (up to 2 hours) a day over varied terrain.
Small Group
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.

Best of all, you’ll…

  • Help to feed and bathe pachyderms as you learn about conservation efforts at a local elephant sanctuary.
  • Spend a day exploring the idyllic Phang Nga Bay by boat, and enjoy an evening canoe ride under the stars.
  • Savor the unique flavors of Thai cuisine as you participate in a Thai culinary adventure.
Featured Expert
All Experts
Profile Image
Anthony Zola
Anthony is a senior researcher at the Mekong Environment and Research Institute in Thailand. He earned a BA in international affairs from George Washington University, a MA in economics from Syracuse University, and a certificate in French civilization from the Sorbonne. Coming to Thailand as a Peace Corps volunteer in 1970-72, he has since lived mainly in Thailand and Laos. He has been active in agribusiness and economic development consulting. His work includes auditing social safeguards and livelihood restoration at infrastructure development projects in Laos.

Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.

Profile Image of Anthony Zola
Anthony Zola View biography
Anthony is a senior researcher at the Mekong Environment and Research Institute in Thailand. He earned a BA in international affairs from George Washington University, a MA in economics from Syracuse University, and a certificate in French civilization from the Sorbonne. Coming to Thailand as a Peace Corps volunteer in 1970-72, he has since lived mainly in Thailand and Laos. He has been active in agribusiness and economic development consulting. His work includes auditing social safeguards and livelihood restoration at infrastructure development projects in Laos.
Profile Image of Anusorn Sribunma
Anusorn Sribunma View biography
Anusorn “Chai” Sribunma has been traveling since he was a child. He studied journalism and mass communication and has a master’s degree in archeology and anthropology of Thailand. His fascination with this area led to his desire to enter the tourism industry, allowing him to share his passion for his country and introduce Thailand to foreign visitors. He has been leading groups since 2008 and has also worked as a part-time teacher. Anusorn means “reminder,” but he goes by his nickname Chai, which means “win.”
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
Birds of Thailand
by Craig Robson
A compact, comprehensive guide with 128 color plates by a team of illustrators. Robson is also the author of the authoritative Birds of Southeast Asia.
Thailand Adventure Map
by National Geographic Society
A detailed relief map at a scale of 1:1,300,000.
Sightseeing, Stories
by Rattawut Lapcharoensap
Lapcharoensap's remarkable debut collection of seven stories includes sharp, funny portraits of contemporary Thailand and its generation gap.
The River's Tale, A Year on the Mekong
by Edward Gargan
A personal, probing chronicle of a 3,000-mile journey on the river from its source in China through Tibet, Burma, Laos, Thailand and Cambodia to the Mekong Delta in Vietnam.
Killed at the Whim of a Hat
by Colin Cotterill
First in the Jimm Juree mystery series. Cotterill trades in Laos -- and the elderly Dr. Paiboun -- for Jimm Juree, "a feisty Thai lady journalist with relatives that make the Adams family look like Alexander McCall Smith characters," for this wry book set in a dusty resort along the Gulf of Siam.
Thailand, The Cookbook
by Jean-Pierre Gabriel
With depth and dexterity, Gabriel explains ingredients and authentic techniques for 500 authentic Thai snacks, drinks, curries, stir fry, desserts and more.
What the Buddha Taught
by Walpola Sri Rahula
A classic introduction to Buddhism by a respected monk and scholar from Sri Lanka. Provides translations from original texts with explanations for Western readers. A good foundation for anyone interested in understanding the foundations of Buddhism.
Bangkok, A Cultural History
by Maryvelma O'Neil
O'Neil illuminates a city rich in art, history, royal ceremony and tradition in this engaging portrait.
Letters from Thailand, A Novel
by Botan, Susan Fulop Kepner (Translator)
A prize-winning novel first published in 1969 and newly translated into English. Taking the form of a series of letters back home to his mother, it follows the fate of Tan Suang U, a Chinese immigrant in Bangkok at the close of World War II, who marries, raises a family and runs a successful business. The novel, among its many pleasures, depicts daily life in Bangkok's thriving Chinatown.
The Mekong, Turbulent Past, Uncertain Future
by Milton Osborne
A cultural history of the great river from prehistory to European exploration, colonial tensions and modern challenges. It's an engaging introduction to the history of Southeast Asia.
The King Never Smiles, A Biography of Thailand's Bhumibol Adulyadej
by Paul M. Handley
A balanced biography of Thailand's powerful king, a constitutional monarch who came to the throne of his country from the United States in 1946.
DK Eyewitness Top Ten Bangkok
by Eyewitness Guides
This slim guide, geared for visitors on a short stay, features color photographs and maps.
Anna and the King of Siam
by Margaret Landon
The enduring, fanciful tale of a governess in mid-19th century Siam, which is the basis for the hit musical production The King and I.
Bangkok, Recipes and Stories from the Heart of Thailand
by Leela Punyaratabandhu
With 120 recipes and location photography, this deeply personal ode to Thai food features heirloom family dishes, restaurant classics, modern cosmopolitan fare and street eats. A splendid way to experience the food that Thai people eat every day.
Thailand, Traveller's Wildlife Guide
by David L. Pearson
Featuring full-color illustrations of 600 of Thailand's most common birds, mammals, reef fish, insects, amphibians and reptiles.
Bangkok 8, A Novel
by John Burdett
In this gritty, humorous and gruesome thriller, Burdett explores the criminal underworld of Bangkok and a series of mysterious deaths. Burdett's hero, Sonchai Jitpleecheep, becomes obsessed with finding the killer when his own partner is murdered.
Southeast Asia Wildlife, A Folding Pocket Guide to Familiar Animals
by James Kavanagh
A laminated, pocket-sized reference to 140 birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians common to Southeast Asian. Each is profiled with detailed illustrations and easy-to-read descriptions.
The Golden Lands, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand & Vietnam
by Vikram Lall
The product of 25 years of research into Buddhist architecture, this survey takes us from the monastic complexes of India to the dzongs of Bhutan, inside the wats of Southeast Asia and through the simple wooden shrines of Japan. Gorgeously illustrated throughout with color photos and 3D renderings.
Eyewitness Guide Thailand
by Eyewitness Guides
A compact illustrated guide featuring color photographs, excellent maps and a regional overview of Thailand's natural and cultural attractions.
A Traveller's History of Southeast Asia
by J.M. Barwise, Nicholas J. White
A compact history of the region, including the Khmer and the various ancient kingdoms that produced Borobudur, Angkor and other architectural marvels.
Culture Smart! Thailand
by Roger Jones
A concise, no-nonsense guide to local customs, etiquette and culture with practical travel advice and a short overview of the land and people.





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