Don't eat a huge breakfast! Our guide will pick you up at ten for a drive into the countryside to a quaint little temple on the banks of a lazy, lotus-strewn river. On the weekends, this is a popular get-away for Thai families who come here for fun, shopping, and a huge sampling of fresh, savory snacks. The market grew up around the fame of food vendors who offer a variety of specialties which have all but vanished in the fast-food city.

Wandering through the market you will spot all sorts of tempting nibbles. Snack as you go. There is an abundance of colorful Thai deserts made with coconut, egg, beans, and rice, scented with fragrant flowers and rose water, accompanied by honey-plum sauces or tiny, atomic chili peppers. Outdoor grills prepare heaping plates of grilled prawns, rock-salt encrusted fish, succulent skewers of tender chicken and pork sate with chunky peanut dipping sauce. Vendors hawk hard-to-find freshly made ingredients for Thai kitchens, including mounds of shrimp pastes in variously fermented flavors, chunks of organic sugarcane crystals, inscrutable black jellies, pandanus-perfumed breads and cakes, hot-pink dragon fruit pods of invading aliens, dried fish, live fish, fish sauce, and saucy fish mongers with bulging mussels and handsomely stuffed baskets. Take-homes should be eaten the same day because everything is fresh, fresh, fresh, without chemical preservatives.

At the riverside are numerous floating restaurants, packed with happy snackers. There are also many large boats which provide short sightseeing cruises along the river. For a break from the crowd, wander the temple courtyard or sit in the shade of its main hall. Wandering vendors sell traditional folk toys, brilliant paper kites, rainbow centipedes made from balloons, and Halloween masks for year-round spooks. You may encounter likay (folk opera) singers in lurid make-up and costume, performing for alms. Garden stalls are festooned with opulent orchids in bloom.

After you've had your fill of food and fun, take a short drive to nearby Nakhon Pathom, the oldest city in Thailand and home to the country's tallest chedi (stupa). Here you may visit the royal residences of King Rama VI, including the fairytale Sanam Chan castle, a traditional Thai-style teakwood mansion, and a gorgeous wooden bridge over a reflecting pool which connects the palace to the King's former private residence. Housed here is a museum containing royal costume, images of the King's personal military unit, the Wild Tiger Corps, and theatrical performances which he wrote and performed in. Also on the grounds is a statue of the King's much beloved dog, Yi-Le.

The vicinity is rich in culture and full of historic sites. Explore as time permits.

Day Tour price: US$128 ($8 per additional guest)

Where We Shine:
Purple Dragon specializes in programs which are off the beaten path of commercial tourism and immerse our guests in the rich and lively traditions of Thai daily life. Your tour is private and you have the undivided attention of your guide. Our guests often remark that the highlight of their holiday was the charming company of our trained guides.