The Tourism Authority of Thailand has got together with Siam Hop Group to offer a free ride to the Arts of the Kingdom Museum in Ayutthaya.
Siam Hop Group is the operator of the hop-on, hop-off tourist bus service in central Bangkok. The company is a joint investment between Hongthong Enterprise, which provides tour buses for rent, and the CCT GROUP which is a tour operator focusing on the Chinese market.
The free shuttle service to the museum in Ayutthaya is an extension of its service. The company uses 50-seater buses. The museum service will leave from Na Phralan Road, near the Grand Palace, to the museum twice a day.
The first leaves at 10.30am, returning to Bangkok at 2pm. The second leaves at noon, returning to Bangkok at 3pm. The service is available from Tuesday to Sunday.
The Arts of the Kingdom Museum is situated within Koh Koet Arts and Crafts Centre in Ayutthaya's Bang Pa-in district. Organised by the Sirikit Institute, the museum exhibits national artefacts, many of which are unique. Among them are the gold Niello Bhudthan Throne, the gold Damascene Bhudthan Throne, the model of the royal barge Suphannahong and the carved wood screen with the Legend of Bejaratana.
The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 3.30pm, with the exceptions of the New Year period (Dec 28-Jan 6) and Songkran holidays. Entrance is 150 baht for adults and 75 baht for students and senior citizens. For foreign tourists, an entrance ticket to the Grand Palace can also be used to enter the museum.
Call Siam Hop Group at 02-066-6600.
Treasure trip
Nakhonchai Air bus operator will operate the final Treasure Bangkok trip for this year on Dec 21. The one-day trip, launched in June, is an additional service from the company aiming to bring tourists to attractions in the capital twice a month.
A 16-seat minibus brings tourists to Wat Arun (the Temple of Dawn), Wat Kanlayanamit and Wat Prayun. Visitors are brought to Kudi Chin Community to taste kanom farang kudi chin or sponge cake topped with slices of sweetened pumpkin, dried persimmon and raisins. Tourists can check out the old Chinese community and its museum, Wat Prayun, Iconsiam and Yaowarat.
The bus leaves Nakhonchai Air bus terminal on Kamphaeng Phet 2 Road, platform A at 8am and returns to the station at around 8pm.
The package is 1,299 baht per person, inclusive of breakfast, lunch and a Thai-language guide.
Visit Facebook/nakhonchaiair.official, call 092-415-5335 and Line ID:@ncatour.
AIRLINES UPDATE
- Thai Smile will launch its code-share service with Nok Air on the Bangkok-Ranong route, starting Jan 3.
The service is operated by Nok Air twice a day. Flights depart Don Mueang Airport at 6.10am and 5.50pm, returning from Ranong at 8.05am and 7.50pm. Travel time is one hour and 25 minutes.
Visit thaismileair.com or call 1181.
HOTEL DEALS & UPDATE
- If staying in a century-old shophouse in Phuket's old town is your idea of fun, you should check out Woo Gallery Boutique Hotel.
In operation since February of this year, the shophouse, which was originally the Moh Seng & Co watch shop, has been renovated and converted into a boutique hotel by the family's third generation.
The property has 12 rooms of three varieties. Each features Chinese-style patterns. There is a common area, restaurant and the Moh Seng Museum where the family displays its heirlooms.
Visit woogalleryhotel.com.
- Amari Vogue Krabi on Tub Khaek Beach launches "Discover The New-Look Amari Vogue Krabi" package.
Rates for a night's stay start at 5,440++ baht for Superior King Room and for a minimum stay of two nights, inclusive of breakfast for two. This special offer is available until the end of March.
Visit amari.com/vogue with the promo code VISITKRABI.
- Villa De Pranakorn has opened. This boutique hotel is situated on Mahachai Road in Bangkok's Phra Nakhon district, close to Rommaninat Park and the newly-opened Sam Yot MRT station.
The hotel features 47 rooms, including two signature suites. The property is owned by the Kittisuan family who trade in diamonds and gems and also run a logistics and transportation business.
The property has a restaurant, swimming pool with pool bar and fitness centre.
Visit villadepranakorn.com.
Email karnjanak@bangkokpost.co.th if you have any comments to share.
