Elephants
The northeast is famous for the Surin Annual Elephant Roundup, usually held in the 3rd weekend of each November. Here more than a hundred domesticated elephants take part in an elaborate re-enactment of how wild elephants are herded and trapped. Included in the show is a war parade and the re-enactment of the elephant-back battles between Thai and Burmese armies where both the elephants and participants are colourfully dressed in ancient costumes. A fantastic sight not to be missed.
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Floating Markets
In floating markets, vendors paddle sampans down waterways to sell their produce. Today these floating markets have moved outside of the city. The Damnoen Saduak Floating Market is a 1.5 hour drive from Bangkok and is the country's most colourful and largest floating market. Other lesser know floatingmarkets are the Taling Chan Floating Market in Bangkok and the Bang Khu Wiang Floating Market in Nonthaburi.
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The National Museum
The National Museum in Bangkok clearly maps out the changes to Thailand and its people throughout the centuries. Located within the same general vicinity of the National Museum is the Royal Barge Museum where the highly elaborate carved royal barges are housed and exclusively used by the King during auspicious occasions.
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The Dusit Palace
The Dusit Palace is home to the world's largest golden teak mansion called Vimanmek Palace; the first building in Thailand to have electricty and running water, The Ancient Cloth and Silk Museum - displays an interesting collection of antique silk as well as the different types of silk from all over Thailand and, the support Museum where such traditional art as yan lipao (fine reeds weaved to make traditional ladies' hand bags) are preserved and taught to the younger generation. The Royal Carriage Museum here houses the royal ceremonial carriages and other unusual vehicles owned by the Royal Family.
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The Pottery Village
Located 30 km. from Bangkok is the pottery village of Ko Kret (Kret Island), an island located on the Chao Phraya River where pottery makers ofMondescent live. The clay pottery made here has its own distinctive characteristics that is typically Mon. A half-day trip to Ko Kret can be delightful as this can be conducted by boat.
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Thai Dance
The Patravadi Theatre in Bangkok is one of the country's more active theatres that not only stages performances but also offers traditional Thai dance lessons. The theatre offers simple homey apartments for students who wish to live close to the theatre grounds. However, accommodation is limited so do make advance bookings. To get an over view of ancient Thailand through the expression of dance, Siam Niramit in Bangkok and Alangkarn in Pattaya City offer nightly colourful and spectacular performances detailing ancient Thai history and the Masked Thai ballet/opera based on the Hindu Ramayana, referred toas Ramakian by Thais.
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Thai Homes
There are several Thai Houses in Bangkok you can visit ie The Jim Thompson Museum, Ban Kukrit, Ban Khamthieng and Prasart Museum. These private museumsall have one integral theme. They demonstrate traditional Thai living and within their grounds, and hold traditional Thai teak houses that are more than 100 years old, in addition to, displaying rare artifacts and antiques.
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Thai Massage
Wat Pho, located within close proximity of the Grand Palace, is the centre of Thailand's traditional medicine, housing the Institute of Massage. Visitors to the temple are invited to experience a traditional Thai massage and if you're interested, learn the art through a 10 - 15 day course conducted in Thaiand English. However, traditional Thai massages are commonly found all over the place throughout the entire country in hotels and massage parlours. When embarking on a massage at parlours be sure to check that the facility is certified to ensure that the masseuses are qualified.
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Thai Boxing
Thai boxing is an art form to which kickboxing is based. This rather lethal and violent art of defense allows boxers to use their knees, elbows and feetto fend off opponents. Thai boxing fights are organized all over Thailand however, the 2 principal rings are Lumpini Boxing Stadium and RatchadamnoenBoxing Stadium in Bangkok.
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