Royal Orchid Holiday's latest discover thailand 2009-2010 a complete travel guide in itselfPrepared by Harold Stephens
Travel Correspondent for Thai Airways International
Thirty-five years ago, when Thai Airways was still in its infancy, the management realised that as a national airlines they had to do more than just fly passengers from one point to another. They had to promote travel, and thus Royal Orchid Holidays was born.
But from the very start it was ruled that ROH would not be a travel agency. They would not be out to make a profit. What the directors of ROH decided to do was to pick travel agencies to represent the airline and, for these agencies, THAI's rules are strict. Agencies had to find the best accommodations and bargains with the hotels for the best prices. Agencies had to design tours to cater for Thai Airways passengers. The requirements were that the tours had to be fun packed, safe and inexpensive, and they had to offer something different that the average run-of-the-mill travel agency offered. The idea was for them to come up with something different and attractive and then, and only then, THAI would hire them. That is the policy that has existed for more than 35 years. The programme was so successful in Thailand, and with the airlines extending to destinations around the world, ROH now had to give travellers the widest available choice of destinations and touring itineraries that covered not only Thailand but now the whole of the world as well.
Each year ROH updates its booklets. This week I am presenting their latest booklet: Discover Thailand 2009-2010. Copies are available at most Thai International officers around in the. In the meantime until readers can get their copy, I am quoting directly from the 110-page, the biggest ever, booklet.
AWAKEN YOUR SENSES
SIGHTS
Wherever you travel in the Kingdom you'll find amazing sights dominating the landscape; all part of a rich cultural heritage that dates back over 5,000 years. Gilded palaces and temples, wondrous buildings — both ancient and modem, floating markets, villages on stilts sitting in the sea, teeming markets and trains that speed above the Bangkok cityscape.
Action adventurers can kayak around primeval limestone islands and through sea caves; while those intent on more traditional transport can climb aboard an elephant and trek through tranquil hills. For couples in search of romance, there's the vast panorama of sand, sea and sky waiting to be discovered in idyllic island hideaways.
SOUNDS
From the gentle chanting of monks in a temple to the buzz of a street market; from the fun and laughter during the water splashing festival of Songkran (Thai New Year) in April to the soft melodies that accompany the beautiful candlelit festivities of Loy Krathong in November, the sounds of Thailand will resonate throughout your holiday.
'Sanuk' is the Thai word for fun and it permeates everything. And as Thais are naturally good-natured, warm and open, you're certain to be invited to join in.
TOUCHES
Whether you want to rediscover your touch on the golf course, unravel tension through the knowing touch of an expert masseuse in a sumptuous spa or simply feel the sand between your toes, there's no better place than the land of smiles.
If you're an intrepid shopper, Bangkok will certainly touch a chord. High-end department stores, fashionable local designer boutiques and colourful night markets all await discovery. And when it comes to the gentle touch, there's no-one better qualified to look after the kids than a Thai babysitter (they're available in many hotels and resorts), after all Thais love children, making the Kingdom an incredibly family-friendly destination.
TASTES
Thailand is justifiably famous for its diversity of both food and places to eat — they say you can enjoy a delicious Thai curry every day of the year and never eat the same one twice. From dining al fresco under the stars 61 floors above the city to a candlelit dinner cruise on the mighty 'River of Kings' there are options to suit every mood and every pocket. And it's not just Thai food. Some of the best Italian, Japanese and French restaurants are right here in the Kingdom. What's more, we even have our own Thai fast food' — grilled chicken, satay on a stick, iced chunks of fresh fruit and multi-coloured sweets — served in bite sized pieces on virtually every street corner.
After working hard all year, you deserve to relax, unwind and revive your senses. And the best way to do that, is with a Royal Orchid Holidays Thailand vacation.
HAVE FUN PLANNING YOUR HOLIDAY
You'll find this brochure packed with holiday ideas. Just pick where you would like to go, and have fun putting your perfect vacation plan together. Royal! Orchid Holidays are extremely flexible. Just start with a THAI Airwavs destination, choose the hotel package that best meets your needs/and finally, put together the tours that offer the sights and experiences you'd like to enjoy. It's that easy! Royal Orchid Holidays diverse holiday components allow you to mix and match to create your own holiday itinerary.
ONE DESTINATION, OR MANY
The choice is yours. You can spend your whole holiday in just one place, giving you plenty of time to relax and unwind, or travel around and take in all the wonderful sights and sounds the Kingdom has to offer.
If you'd rather someone else did the planning for you, take advantage of one of our ready-made vacation packages.
They offer everything from Minibreaks of just a few days, right through to full Discovery Tours lasting a week or more.
Whatever you decide, Royal Orchid Holidays extensive network of hotels and tour agents will ensure that your vacation runs as smooth as silk.
BASIC STAY
Choosing a hotel where you'll feel comfortable, with good facilities and friendly service, is an important factor in ensuring a happy vacation. That's why Royal Orchid Holidays 'Basic Stay' provides a wide variety of hotels, with or without breakfast, for periods of one night onwards. For families, rooms with kitchenettes are often available too. Certain hotels in Bangkok also offer 'Day Use Only' if you want to rest between flights. And you can take advantage of optional extras such as airport-hotel transfers and tours.
STAYOVER
Royal Orchid Holidays Stayovers are perfect for travellers in transit or between destinations who needs a hotel, airport transfer and breakfast.
MINIBREAK
These are perfect for short getaways, or can be linked together so you can enjoy several different destinations. You can stay for just a few days or extend for as long as you like. A Royal Orchid Holidays Minibreak, which includes airport transfers and optional sightseeing tours, gives you time to relax and enjoy the country's sights and sounds.
DELIGHT
The longer you stay in one place, the more time you have to fully explore and make friends. With a Royal Orchid Holidays Delight package, you have the time to see more sights at your leisure and get to know the locals.
EXTENSION
Add a little spice to your holiday. Head away from the main tourist centres and take advantage of Royal Orchid Holidays wide variety of Extension offers. You can broaden your mind while enjoying a fun experience.
SPECIALISED TOURS
Different people enjoy different things, so Royal Orchid Holidays has put together a wide range of specialised tours. You can take a sea voyage or a river trip, play golf, be pampered in a world-class spa or enroll in a Thai cooking class. Couples can reawaken their romance at island hideaways or mountain retreats. And if you'd like a medical check-up just to make sure you're in good health, you can even build that into your holiday plans too.
AROUND THAILAND TOURS
For an in-depth, overland expedition to discover the Kingdom's culture and natural wonders book an Around Thailand Tour. You'll dive into the heart and soul of the nation on a journey lasting up to a week or more. Meet the locals in towns along the way and pick up a better understanding of what Thai life is really all about.
TRANSPORTATION
Royal Orchid Holidays can also take care of "your transportation needs on the ground as well as in the air. In most destinations, we can arrange airport-hotel transfer and rental cars. Not to mention providing appropriate vehicles for all our tours.
ACCOMMODATION
When you book with Royal Orchid Holidays you know that when you arrive at your THAI destination your hotel room will be ready and waiting for you. What's more, our wide choice of accommodation means that whatever your budget, you'll be comfortably accommodated. All the hotels listed in this brochure meet our specific criteria and are constantly inspected to guarantee standards never slip.
Royal Orchid Holidays puts the fun back into vacation planning by offering a range of options to provide maximum flexibility. Create your own personal holiday and travel with confidence knowing THAI is with you every step of the way. |
Next week I am going to tell readers who intend to fly to Russia something about the country and Thailand relations with Russia.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERSFor questions and answers, please feel free to ask any question, no matter how trivial it may be. I may not be able to answer it, but I will try, or I will find some one who can. But please, make it related to travel.
Q. Dear Mr. Stephens, I feel in love with Thailand during a five-day R&R from Vietnam 30 years ago. I understand Thailand has greatly changed since then. I’d like to bring my wife and introduce her to some Thai culture and Thai ways. Is that still possible in our modern world? Roger Loomis, Vermont, USA,
A. In deed, it is possible. Royal Orchid Holidays has just the thing for you called Experience Thai Life (ROHE2O). You travel by boat and van to your destination and spend a night in a Thai home, an actual wooden houses built on stilts. You live the way the Thais do. Your meals are typical Thai, prepared by your Thai hosts. In the early morning hours you watch or participate with the villagers as they offer food to the monks, who arrive there by rowing boats. You couldn’t get closer to Thai ways and culture. --HS
Harold Stephens
Bangkok
E-mail: ROH Weekly Travel (booking@inet.co.th)
Note: The article is the personal view of the writer and does not necessarily reflect the view of Thai Airways International Public Company Limited. | 
