Thailand for Foodies: Bangkok, Chiang Mai & Koh Samui

Bangkok is a buzzy and bold city, planned not from the top down but created from the bottom up. That exact spirit of innovation and unconventionality has made the Thai capital the perfect locale for our Asia flagship, with The Standard, Bangkok Mahanakhon. Located in one of the most iconic buildings in the city, the 155-room hotel is already a landmark. With rooms ranging from 29 sqm to a sprawling 144 sqm penthouse, a terrace pool, fitness center, meeting rooms and a dynamic variety of food, drink and nightlife venues, The Standard, Bangkok Mahanakhon is a fit for any traveler, at any time of day or night. There's The Parlor, the hub of the hotel for socializing, cocktails, work, lounging, live music, lectures and more, the eclectic and unexpected Tea Room, American steakhouse classics at The Standard Grill, and an award-winning Chinese cuisine by Mott 32.

You will be picked up at 8:00 am. Go behind the scenes for a closer look at Buddhist culture. Start the morning with a trip to Wat Pho, arguably Bangkok's most enchanting temple. Arrive just as the resident monks gather for their morning chants. Witness this deeply spiritual ritual and gain a better sense of Thailand's Buddhist heritage.

After the chants, take a walk around Wat Pho and see the vast collection of religious treasures on display. Admire the famed reclining Buddha image, which stretches 45-meters in length. Learn about the symbolism of the Buddha's intricate footprint and witness devotees making offerings to this revered image.

The tour then continues to the nearby Grand Palace, which has served as the seat of Thailand's revered Royal family for more than two centuries. Take a walk around the vast grounds, stopping in to explore the various temples, throne halls and museums within the compound. Visit the Emerald Buddha, the most revered Buddhist image in Thailand, and hear about its mysterious origins.

Following the tour of these iconic Bangkok monuments, return to the hotel.

From the savoury bites of traditional Chinese dumplings to the sweet treats of fried sugary donuts, taste the delicacies of Bangkok's famous Chinatown. Discover the Chinese culture of Bangkok through seeing, smelling and tasting.

As the sun sets, Bangkok really comes alive and just about every street is filled with the great smell of delicious food that really ignites the taste buds. The neighbourhood is internationally renowned for the city's longest street food stalls, and definitely there is no other way to explore the area's best kept food secrets than by foot.

You'll explore the glittering and energetic Chinatown's Yaowarat Street and be introduced to the history of the area and some favourite street food artisans.

Grab delicious bites of various kinds of food, from the famous Chinese dumplings, peppered pork noodles, Chinese donuts, and many more! Enjoy sweet Chinese desserts and visit a tea shop house.

Following your tour, you'll be returned to your hotel.

This morning, travel away from Bangkok's city centre for a visit to local markets and countryside neighbourhoods. Take a one-hour drive, leaving the high-rises behind and entering a land of lush landscapes and traditional wooden houses.

Stop at a local railway station where a bustling country market has sprouted up along the tracks. As a train pulls into the station, witness the vendors quickly clearing their stalls off the railway. Then, after the train departs, watch them set up shop and resume business as usual.

From here, continue to the famous Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. Although these days the stalls are mostly selling items for tourists, this market remains the best example of a traditional floating market. Take a stroll around and admire the floating shops, many of which are selling fresh fruits and typical Thai snacks.

Leave the main market area and take a relaxing paddle boat ride. Pass by an old section of the floating market and enter a labyrinth of quiet canals. See houses built alongside the waterways and catch glimpses of local life in this rural Thai province.

Following your tour, you'll be returned to your hotel in Bangkok.

Rati Lanna Riverside Spa Resort is a luxury boutique resort nestled serenely along the bank of the Mae Ping River in center of Lanna historical city. Chiang Mai is only minutes away and the hotel is close to the city's popular Chiang Mai Night Bazaar.
All 75 luxurious guestrooms feature private balconies, widescreen plasma televisions, home theatre, broadband internet and bathrooms with built-in LCD TVs and rain showers. RatiLanna, the 5 star luxury resort, offers the highest standard of services and tasteful facilities.

Today, be met at your hotel by your guide and venture away from the city centre of Chiang Mai for an insightful look at Thailand's rich culture. Start with a visit to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. Situated on a mountain rising high above the city, this sacred pagoda offers fabulous views of Chiang Mai and its surroundings. Walk up the stairs to see the exquisite gilded stupa and learn about Thai Buddhist beliefs.

Afterwards, continue higher into the hills, traveling by songtaew, a local truck. Drive along rough dirt roads to the Chang Khien Coffee Research Project. Enjoy a fresh cup of locally-grown Arabica coffee and hear about the North's flourishing coffee industry.

It's a short drive onwards to a village inhabited by the White Hmong hilltribe. Spend time exploring the village, meeting the inhabitants and learning about the traditions and customs of this unique ethnic group.

Following this insightful village visit, return to the songtaew and drive back to Chiang Mai. You will be transferred back to your hotel at the end of your day tour.

This evening, enjoy a lively night in Chiang Mai, wandering through the South Gate of the old city to the traditional street food market.

During the walk, you will be tempted by the delicious aromas emanating from the various food stalls and simple carts. Your guide will be on hand to introduce the many local dishes on offer. And of course, you will be able to try all the dishes you fancy. Some of the local specialities include deep fried pancakes, deep fried taro, kanom jeen (rice noodles with curry soup), kanom krok (Thai coconut pudding), noodle soup, pad Thai, and the summer favourite of sweet mango with sticky rice. You might also have an opportunity to sample the local rice whisky.

After the evening's gastronomic adventure, you'll be returned to your hotel with your stomach filled with delight.

Today, drive out of Chiang Mai city to Mae Tang District to visit Araksa Tea Garden, specialising in producing high quality Assam tea, a black tea named after the name of India's largest tea growing region.

Upon arrival at the tea plantation, receive a warm welcome from the local guide who will explain the process and methods used to cultivate the young tea plants, select seeds and pick tea leaves. Then take a bamboo basket and be ready to partake in harvesting tea. Instructed by the guide, pick and collect tea leaves to fill the basket. Following this, move to the roasting station to enjoy the art of making tea by hand from kneading to roasting tea leaves.

After the roasting is done, enjoy tea tasting with delicious Thai snacks. A Thai set lunch is served at the restaurant on-site before returning back to your hotel in Chiang Mai.

Melia Koh Samui is a perfect blend of traditional Thai hospitality and modern architecture that is ideal for romantic getaways and family holidays overlooking the glorious Choeng Mon Beach. The stylish, U-shaped resort features well-appointed guest rooms and luxurious suites. The property is also home to the award winning YHI Spa.

Today is totally free and at leisure. You can take advantage of any optional activities available or simply relax.

Today's tour will begin with a short drive from your hotel to the Samui Elephant Kingdom. You will be met with a warm welcome and introduction to the Samui Elephant Kingdom project. Learn about the elephants and the sustainable work that the Samui Elephant Kingdom is adopting. Discover a Napier grass plantation and help cook supplementary food for elephants in a PowerBall Kitchen.

Provide a fruit basket of love to feed the gentle giants on the 400-meter-long skywalk, observe these beautiful gentle giants expressing their natural habits and lives with freedom, from above. View, meet and walk with the elephants in their kingdom to observe their healthy bathing behavior and a protective mud spa. Enjoy a Thai vegetarian buffet lunch and seasonal fruit.

Leave Samui Elephant Kingdom and transfer back to your hotel.

Get a taste of Thai cuisine with a fun, hands-on cooking class. You'll be met and transferred to Island Organics where chef Lat and her team will welcome you.

Take a stroll through the organic garden to learn about the exotic herbs and fruits growing there. Lat will explain more about the organic process and its health benefits. While walking through the garden, pick fresh produce that will be used to prepare today's lunch.

Then head into the kitchen, don an apron and start cooking. Use traditional techniques -- such as mortar and pestle- to prepare the ingredients. Lat will share her recipes and secrets as she leads the group through the cooking process step-by-step. Cook popular dishes such as green curry with chicken, pad Thai, coconut soup and other tasty items.

The time spent in the kitchen is about more than just food. Chit-chat with Lat, who will share her personal story of growing up in rural Thailand. She will also provide insight into local culture and explain more about the Thai obsession with food.

When the dishes are ready, sit down for a fantastic, organic meal. Savour the delicate flavours of authentic, fresh Thai cuisine.

Then say farewell to Lat and her team, returning to your hotel with a full stomach and a new appreciation for Thai food.