PATA announces details of Free Pre and Post Mart Tours for Media

The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) and the PATA Travel Mart 2004 (PTM04) Host Committee have created 16 complimentary tours for media delegates attending PTM04 in Bangkok, September 22-24. All tours are on first-come, first-served basis.

Of the 16 official PTM04 tours, five are before the Mart and 11 are after it.

The five pre-Mart tours are as follows:

1) Chao Phraya Rice Barge Cruise, Bangkok-Ayutthaya, September 18-20. Sail on board the Thanatharee to the Mon pottery-making village on Kred island on the Chao Phraya river; visit Pathum Thani market, Wat Pailom (well known as a winter nesting ground of the Asian openbill), the hilltribe orphanage and Ayutthaya, Thailand's former capital (1350-1767) and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

2) Chao Phraya Rice Barge Cruise, Bangkok-Ayutthaya, September 19-20. Sail on board the Thanatharee along the Maenam Noi river to visit Wat Taku; ride a bicycle to local villages, temple and a local orphanage and cruise to Ayutthaya.

3) The Hilltribe Experience, Chiang Mai, September 19-20. Explore a Lisu hilltribe village, cycling (mainly down hill), visit Mae Taeng elephant camp, take a one-hour elephant ride and an ox-cart ride through farmlands followed by white water rafting and a visit to an Akha village and Ton Lung temple.

4) Lanna Farm Experience, Chiang Mai, September 19-20. Visit a large teakwood Lanna farmhouse, a hilltribe museum, an orchid farm, the Queen Sirikit botanical gardens; travel along the river by boat to Ban Huay Sai, visit a Lisu hilltribe village, Wat Tham Dork Kum, take an agricultural tour featuring fruit and vegetable carving, Thai cooking lesson and buffalo washing.

5) Minburi/Bangkok Countryside, September 21. Visit Kamalulislam mosque, ride to Pourt Udom Pol, the old market town of Nong Chok and cruise down the Sean Saeb canal.

For full information and reservation of pre-Mart tour # 1 contact the Educational Travel Center. Tel. (66-2) 224-0043, 224-4800/2. Fax: (66-2) 622-1420. E-mail: etc@etc.co.th. For tours #2, #3 and #4 contact Mr Ponchai Jaypong, East West Siam. Tel: (66-2) 651-9078/9. Fax: (66-2) 651-0766/7. E-mail: piak@east-west-siam.com. For tour #5 tel: (66-2) 712-5305. Fax: (66-2) 712-5306. E-mail: info@spiceroads.com.

The eleven post-Mart tours are as follows:

1) Thai Way of Life by "Thai Living" at the Rose Garden Aprime Resort, September 25-27. This programme features Thai cooking, a traditional Thai massage and local night bazaar excursion in Nakorn Pathom, an early morning offering alms to the monks and a walkabout botanical tour.

2) Chao Phraya Rice Barge Cruise Bangkok-Ayutthaya, September 25-27.

3) Chao Phraya Rice Barge Cruise Bangkok-Ayutthaya, September 26-27.

4) Explore the Majestic River of Kings, September 24. Board the Thanatharee to cruise along the Chao Phraya river. With bicycles on board, stop along the way to explore the countryside and culture of the rural Thai people.

5) The Hilltribe Experience, Chiang Mai, September 25-26.

6) Lanna Farm Experience, Chiang Mai, September 25-26.

7) Lanna Farm by Local Truck, Chiang Mai, September 26.

8) Lisu Lodge Adventure, Chiang Mai, September 26.

9) Luang Say Cruise on the Mekong River, Chiang Rai-Luang Prabang (Laos), September 27-28.

10) June Bahtra Phangnga Bay Cruise, Phuket, September 26. Board the June Bahtra to cruise through majestic Phangnga Bay, visit "James Bond" island and cruise by longtail boat to Panyi sea gypsy village on stilts and visit mangrove waterways and grotto caves.

11) Ko Kred Island, September 25. Visit Wat Ko Kriang, ride to the villages of Buang Bua Thong, cross the Chao Phraya to Ko Kred riverine island and cycle around its perimeter footpath.

For full information and reservation of post-Mart tour #1 contact World Travel Services. E-mail: wtsconven@mozart.inet.co.th by September 21, 2004. For tour #2, #3 and #4 contact the Educational Travel Center. Tel. (66-2) 224-0043, 224-4800/2. Fax: (66-2) 622-1420, 224-6930. E-mail: etc@etc.co.th. For tour #5, #6, #7, #8, #9 and #10 contact Mr Ponchai Jaypong, East West Siam. Tel: (66-2) 651-9078/9. Fax: (662) 651-0766/7. E-mail: piak@east-west-siam.com. For tour #11 tel: (66-2) 712-5305. Fax: (66-2) 712-5306. E-mail: info@spiceroads.com. 

"One of the reasons for rotating the location of PATA Travel Mart is that it allows media and buyers to fully experience a new location each year," said PATA President and CEO, Mr Peter de Jong. "This year's media tours offer invaluable insights into rural Thai culture, much of which still thrives on Bangkok's doorstep and along the city's numerous waterways."

See also: PATA announces details of Pre and Post PATA Travel Mart 2004 Tours