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Exotissimo Thailand is constantly seeking the best deals and promotions from our suppliers, so don't forget to check our Travel Trade Section regularly for these specials. View our latest updates by clicking on Thailand promotions and Thailand Hotel Rates 2009.
Please remind your clients that there is a limit on the amount of alcohol and cigarettes that can be purchased in the airport's duty free shops when entering Thailand. Each person is only allowed to buy a maximum of 1 litre of alcohol and 1 carton (or 10 packs) of cigarettes. The duty free shops often do not warn travelers of the limit. Recently, the Thai customs officers have been very strict in enforcing this restriction and will impose very heavy fines (more than 1000 USD) if incoming travelers are found to be carrying more than the permissible amounts of alcohol and cigarettes.
 This private cooking class introduces students to Thai cuisine under the expert guidance of Angsana Anderson, a Thai homemaker with years of experience teaching Thai cooking in her kitchen. Starting with a visit to the market, guests will be accompanied by Angsana in shopping for the ingredients. Returning to her residence, they will then take part in a hands-on session that consists of cooking three Thai dishes and one dessert. The menu is pre-selected by guests before the class. Contact for more details. Click here to view all day trips in Thailand.
 Beginning with a scenic train ride, Exotissimo's Ayutthaya Insight day trip takes guests out of Bangkok to the archaeological gem of Ayutthaya. In Ayutthaya, guests travel on a unique ‘kermit' tuk-tuk to tour the majestic Ayutthayan temple ruins, complimented with opportunities to sample local delicacies such as candy floss roti along the way. If time permits, they may visit local houses to view the production of palm leaf fish mobiles and Khon masks. Following a free-style lunch, a long-tailed boat ride leads them to explore Bang Pa In Summer Palace and Wat Nivet Thammmpravat before boarding the train back to Bangkok. For more information, contact . Click here to view all day trips in Thailand.
In our 2 Days / 1 Night Ayutthaya Escape, guests get to explore Ayutthaya's attractions such as Bangsai Royal Arts and Crafts Centre, Bang Pa In Summer Palace and Wat Nivet Thammmpravat after arriving in Ayutthaya from Bangkok. They will then embark on a guided bike ride through Ayutthaya Historical Park with stops en-route for refreshments and visits to a toy museum and handicraft house. They will be rewarded with a relaxing Thai massage and a dinner cruise aboard a converted rice barge before returning to Ayodhara Village (more details below) for the night. The following morning, guests will be taken to Koh Kret where they can learn about the Mon lifestyle and culture in Thailand. To view the detailed itinerary, click here. Contact for more information.
 The newly opened Ayodhara Village in Ayutthaya is a charming and tranquil property. Nestled by the Lopburi River, the resort is just a short 10-minute drive to the major temples and attractions in Ayutthaya. The Ayodhara's 24 guestrooms are each set in a traditional Thai-style teakwood stilt-house. Each room comes with a private bathroom and a pavilion with river views. The lush compound is lined with banana trees, tropical plants and ponds. This place is recommended for FIT travelers and groups seeking a relaxing getaway within easy driving distance from Bangkok.
As of 29 March 2009, Thai Airways (TG) has ceased using Don Muang Airport for its domestic flights. All TG international and domestic flights are now operated from Suvarnabhumi Airport.
Bangkok's famous Chatachak Weekend Market is now open on Friday evenings till midnight, allowing shoppers to peruse the thousands of stalls without the intense day time heat. However, not all shops will open on Friday. The market is open as usual on Saturdays and Sundays from 9am to 6pm.
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Mid-April is the time for New Year celebrations in many parts of mainland Southeast Asia. Exotissimo Cambodia and Laos will be closed from 14 – 16 April for Chaul Chnam Thmey and Boun Pi Mai respectively. In Thailand, our offices will be closed for Songkran from 13 – 15 April while our Myanmar offices will close from 13 – 17 April during Thingyan. Exotissimo Vietnam will remain open during this time.
3-night beach breaks are now available at some of our preferred hotels in Hoi An, Nha Trang, Phan Thiet and Phu Quoc. These are now conveniently combined on to one PDF file allowing you to view the special promotional deals as well as photos of the resorts and extension night rates. Longer or shorter stays are also available. 
Sponsored by Exotissimo, the Madagui Trophy 2009 was successfully held in the southern mountainous province of Lam Dong in Vietnam's Central Highlands on 21-22 February. Over 100 international professional and amateur athletes took part in the two-day extreme sports contest. Another triathlon is scheduled for 30 May 2009 in Mui Ne and we encourage all our adventure clients to participate in this upcoming event. For inquiries, contact 
Scheduled to open in the second half of 2009, the Mercure Hue Gerbera is the first Mercure hotel in Vietnam. Located on Hue's prime Le Loi Street by the Perfume River, the hotel will have 110 rooms and an extensive range of leisure, conference & banquet facilities. Another Mercure property, Mercure Hanoi La Gare, is also planned for opening in 2009.
At Phnom Penh's Meta House, Exotissimo Cambodia offers a range of talks by emerging and established artists who will give insights into their work and on contemporary Cambodian culture. Meta House also provides private movie screenings with on-site catering as well as walking tours through Phnom Penh's developing arts scene, including visits to ateliers and interesting galleries. To find out more, contact 
In Siem Reap, Exotissimo Cambodia now offers a unique touring vehicle – an original M151 MUTT Jeep. Besides providing a rugged and adventurous way to explore the famous Angkor temples, this 1970s jeep also offers a scenic and fun ride to outlying temples such as Beng Mealea and Koh Ker or the hilltop sites of Phnom Kulen and Kbal Spean. Contact 
The Angkor Entrance Fee has been restructured. The 3-day pass is now valid on any 3 days within a calendar week instead of 3 consecutive days. The ticket will be valid from the moment of purchase. This will allow visitors to better appreciate the wealth of cultural sites within the Angkor complex while interspersing their temple touring with other activities in and around Siem Reap. Exotissimo Cambodia offers a variety of excursions in Siem Reap, ranging from adventures, golf, culinary, charity and culture to allow clients to discover the wonders of Cambodia. For more information, contact 
Sala Bai, Ecole Paul Dubrule and Shinta Mani are tourism schools in Siem Reap that provide young Cambodians with hospitality skills training in a professional working environment. Travelers can visit these schools for an informative tour of the facilities, have a chat with the students or sample culinary creations prepared by budding chefs. A visit to one of these hotel schools is a great way to make a positive contribution while holidaying in Cambodia!
A long-awaited addition to the hotel scene in Kampong Thom is the Sambor Village. Not only is it the best accommodation option in Kampong Thom, it is also the only boutique property located near the temples of Sambor Prey Kuk. The Sambor Village offers 19 beautiful rooms that blend traditional Khmer décor with Western amenities. The tropical garden features a swimming pool and Cambodian and Western meals are served in the wooden terrace restaurant that overlooks the Stung Seng River. The hotel offers complimentary Wi-Fi internet access.
Many shops and offices in Myanmar close during Thingyan (Myanmar New Year) limiting dining options for travelers. In Yangon, Karaweik Palace and Sandy's Myanmar Cuisine will remain open during this festive period and in Mandalay, the Green Elephant, Myanandar and Small River Restaurants will also be open. In Bagan, travelers will be able to dine at the BBB, Tharabar II and Beach Bagan Restaurants whereas in the Inle region, all restaurants open as usual. For the most up-to-date information about dining options in Myanmar during Thingyan, please contact 
The Thanaka Gallery and Spa is a unique place to learn about the history and use of thanaka in Burmese culture. Thanaka is a yellowish paste commonly applied to the faces of women and children and is derived from the thanaka tree, 300 of which are located in a plantation on the property. The Beauty Salon and Health Care Center provides a special thanaka spa treatment and visitors can also purchase a variety of thanaka souvenirs at $1 each from the One Dollar Shop. For those who wish to have their fortunes told, a fortune teller makes predictions based on traditional Myanmar astrology and palmistry methods. For more information, please contact 
Jointly developed by Vientiane Orchids and Exotissimo Laos, the Orchids Trek is a one-day nature tour that explores the Phou Khao Khouay National Park in search of native wild orchids. On 25 March 2009, Exotissimo pledged further support to this program by signing an agreement with Bolikhamxay Province and Vientiane Orchids to help promote and sell the Orchids Trek over the next three years. During the trek, each group will be accompanied by a minimum of 2 trained local guides – an effort to provide a sustainable income source for the locals. 
Exotissimo has designed a 4 Days /3 Nights package which allows travelers to experience the delights of Luang Prabang at their own pace. In addition to airport transfers and a 3-night stay at the charming Villa Maly, our Luang Prabang Excursion also includes a variety of activities which can be scheduled at any time during the visit. Guests set their preferred timings for a one-hour massage, a dinner at Villa Maly's Le Vetiver Restaurant, a half-day rental of electric bikes and a sunset dinner cruise on the Nava Mekong. This offer is only applicable for new bookings and is valid for travel until 30 September 2009. 
Parents can bring their young kids on our eco-friendly bike trips in Luang Prabang as child seats are now available on our electronic bikes. These back-mounted seats come with features such seat belts and adjustable foot straps to ensure a safe and comfortable ride for children. Recommended for young kids above two years of age, Exotissimo Laos will provide helmets for both adults and children. Contact 
In Luang Prabang, Zen Namkhan Boutique Resort has opened on the banks of the Nam Khan River. Located a 20-minute drive from the town center, this boutique property blends ecotourism principles with Zen philosophy in its design and facilities. Each of the 5 guestrooms is set in spacious cottages with a porch that offers lovely vistas of the lush surroundings. Notable resort features include the ecological chlorine-free pool and the management's commitment to serve healthy Asian and Mediterranean food with organic produce from their own gardens.
Dyen Sabai Restaurant has recently opened in Luang Prabang. Located on the other side of the Nam Khan River from the historic old town, the restaurant provides nice sunset views. The Dyen Sabai serves delicious Lao food, including a unique Sindha (their special fondue dish).
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