SHORT BUT MEANINGFUL
Thailand is blessed with so many attractions that visitors are faced with a problem -- time, there's never enough of it. To explore all the temples, beaches, national parks and museums in the country would take forever.

The upside to this is that wherever you are in the Kingdom, a place of interest is never far away. Indeed Bangkok International Airport is within easy reach of some spectacular tourist attractions. And thanks to the Tourism Authority of Thailand, seeing them has never been easier.

For transit passengers, there are now eight special tour programs that take in temples, shopping malls, night markets, canals and cultural shows. In short, they offer something for everyone. Better still, they only need to take up a little of your time. With officials on hand to help you navigate immigration procedures and tour guides to lead you back to the airport, the programs promise to be one of the most rewarding, enjoyable experiences you ever sign up to do.

TOURISM ACTIVITIES
The Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA) has been assigned by the Working Committee to run tours that last between four and five hours each. All eight of these tours include places in Bangkok and its surrounding areas that are of cultural and historical interest :

	Temples & Palaces Tour
	Khong Thon Buri & Shopping Tour
	Grand Palace & Shopping Tour
	Thai Boxing Trip
	Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Bang Pa-in &   Shopping Tour
	Bang Sai Royal Folk Arts and Crafts   Centre & Shopping Tour
	Thai Food & Night Market Tour
	Thailand Grand Sale Trip

Note : Transit passengers who wish to join the tour must come from visa-exempted countries : or else Visa on Arrival in needed and must be processed before joining the tour. Please also note that, on occasion the number of passengers may affet a tour's itinerary.

For Bangkok Transit Tour, transit passengers have to contact ATTA desk in Transit Area (before passing through the Immigration Check-in). Suitable time for transit tour is between 9 a.m.- 8 p.m

TRANSIT TOURS IN BANGKOK AND NEARBY AREAS
(For transit passengers only)

TOUR PROGRAMMES
TEMPLES & PALACES TOUR
Duration : 4hours, am / pm

Explore Chinatown, where shopping opportunities abound and cultural gems like Wat Trai Mit hide behind every corner. Then visit Pak Khlong Talat flower market on the banks of the majestic Chao Phraya River. From there, it is on to Wat Pho - - the city's oldest temple and home to the country's longest Reclining Buddha. The tour rounds off with stops at Ratchadamnoen Avenue, the white marble splendour of Wat Benchamabophit and a gems factory, where quality precious stones are for sale.

KHLONG THON BURI & SHOPPING TOUR Duration : 4 hours, am / pm Take a boat ride to Thon Buri and discover a part of Bangkok that remains the " Venice of The East ." Revel in the exquisite craftwork on show at the Royal Barge Museum before soaking up the history of Ratchadamneon Avenue and the Anantasamakom Throne Hall. A visit to Dusit Zoo is followed by a trip to a gems factory, where quality precious stones are for sale.

GRAND PALACE & SHOPPING TOUR Duration : 4 hours, am / pm Take in the sights of Lumphini Park and Jua Lamphong railway station on the way to the gold and antique shops of Chinatown. Soak up the atmospere of Pak Khlong Talat flower market while preparing for Bangkok's premier tourist attraction, the Grand Palace. The fun continues with trips to Ratchadamnoen Avenue, the Anantasamakom Throne Hall, Dusit Zoo and a gems factory.

THAI BOXING TRIP Duration : 5 hours, pm Experience the speed, power and skill of Muay Thai boxing at Ratchadamnoen Stadium (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday) and Lumphini Stadium (Tuesday, Friday and Saturday ; fights preceded by a walk around Lumphini Park). Bouts last five three-minute rounds, the tempo increasing as the fight goes on. Feet, hands, elbow and knees are all used to deliver blows in this explosive sport.

PHRA NAKHON SI AYUTTHAYA, BANG PA-IN & SHOPPING TOUR Duration : 5 hours, am / pm Lap up the scenery as you head out of Bangkok to Bang Pa-in Summer Palace. But be sure to leave some film for the palace itself. Time may have passed since Thai Kings resided here, but nestled on a riverbank this historic place is still picture perfect. While in Ayutthaya, tread amid the ruins of the country's former capital, now a World Heritage Site.

BANG SAI ROYAL FOLK ARTS AND CRAFTS CENTRE & SHOPPING TOUR Duration : 4 hours, am only Learning about rural life in the tropics is easy at the Bang Sai Royal Folks Arts and Crafts Centre.Watch demonstrations of how silk is woven and wood carved. Join in the fun as couples shed light on traditional wedding ceremonies and other customs. The centre was set up by Her Majesty the Queen's Support Foundation.

THAI FOOD & NIGHT MARKET TOUR Duration : 4 hours, pm only Indulge your appetite for fine cuisine as expert chefs at a Silom Road restaurant prepare a feast of Thai food, while your eyes take delight in the Thai classical dancers performing for your pleasure. Later hunt for bargains at Patpong night market, where shoes, leather goods and handicrafts are sold at rock bottom prices.

AIRPORT TAX EXEMPTION FOR TRANSIT PASSENGERS PROGRAMMES

DATE OF COMMENCEMENT : February 1, 2002
PARTICIPANTS : Passengers in transit at Bangkok International Airport who have no more than 12 hours to wait untill their connecting flight and who are participating in activities offered by the Working Committee only.

PROCEDURE FOR AIRPORT TAX EXEMPTION REQUEST :
Prior to landing or while in transit at Bangkok International Airport , passengers will be informed of tours open to them via a variety of media. Those interested in joining any of the programmes should follow the procedures below :

1. Passengers should select a tour after first making sure they have sufficient stopover time to participate in the programme they wish to join. Complete time schedules of tours offered by the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA) are provided.

2. Passengers must complete an Airport Tax Exemption request form available from officials located at either and of the Transit Lounge. Officials will assist with immigration formalities and take passengers to the departure point for their tour.

3. Once the tour is complete, guides will take passengers back to the airport in time for their flights, offering help with immigation