At the floating market, hundreds
of boats navigate the systems of
waterways outside of the city. These
markets are one of Thailand’s most
iconic cultural activities, presenting
the perfect opportunity to practise
your haggling skills. The narrow
boats are stacked high with fruit and
vegetables and floating kitchens,
from which you can sample local Thai
cuisine, complete with a coconut.
As the day fades out into evening,
students may have the opportunity
to participate in a Muay Thai training
session. Known as “the art of eight
limbs”, this ancient martial arts
tradition can be traced back to the
12th century, when it started out as
a form of combat. It has evolved into
a major sporting empire today, with
people from around the world flocking
to Thailand to train and compete.A LOCAL WAY OF LIFE
About an hour’s drive west of Bangkok
is the lush cultural community of
Sampran Riverside, a family-owned
eco-village that offers a variety of
cultural activities and workshops on
their 70-hectare property, flanking
the Tha Chin River. The initiative
partners with local farmers in a local
community engagement enterprise
that promotes organic agriculture and
sustainability; they also collaborate
with local schools. The estate houses
a hotel, several restaurants, and a
cultural village that encourages visitor
education on traditional Thai activities
such as bamboo dancing, pottery,
rice farming and Thai cooking.
A particular highlight is the Sookjai
Organic Farm tour. The 15-acre organic
farming operative grows a range of
vegetables and herbs, such asThe narrow boats are stacked high
with fruit and vegetables and floating
kitchens, from which you can sample local
Thai cuisine, complete with a coconutbelow A visit to one of
Thailand’s famous floating
markets outside of Bangkok
is a must for every foodie
rigHt The winners won’t be
attending a Muay Thai match,
but they will get a chance to train
in this “art of eight limbs”
IMAGES © SHUTTERSTOCK