The most likely place for a one day trip is the Floating Market. There are, in fact, two floating markets, one at Klong Dao Kanong in Thonburi and one further out at Damnoen Saduak in Ratchaburi Province. It is generally agreed that the Thonburi market is disappointing because it has become primarily a tourist attraction, with more visitors than boats. Therefore, the expedition needs to be to Damnoen Saduak, which is a hundred kilometres from Bangkok, and one needs to go early.

There one will find hundreds of small boats, mostly operated by women, selling everything from meat to T-shirts. The purchasers are those living along the banks of the canal, those who come down to the waterside to buy, and also those in other boats. It is a colourful scene, although it too has become well touristed these days.

Buses leave from the Southern Bus Terminal in Bangkok. From Hualampong Station take a bus no. 40 or air-conditioned 7. From Sukhumvit Road take a no. 40 or air-conditioned 11. From Khao San Road, walk across to Sanam Luang and take no. 30 or 124, or, from Democracy Monument, take air-conditioned no. 3, 11 or 17. Early in the morning, as it will be, these journeys will be quite speedy.

From the Southern Bus Terminal, you want to take bus no. 78 or 996 (the number is written on the side) to Damnoen Saduak. It will take two hours and buses operate every 20 minutes starting at 6:00. The fare is Bt57 each way. You should try to go as early as possible, otherwise you will be too late for the best part of the market.

The major town on the way back from the Floating Market is Nakhon Pathom, which is probably the oldest town in Thailand, dating from the third century B.C. It was the principal city in the Dvaravati Kingdom in the sixth to eleventh centuries. Nowadays, however, it would be just an ordinary town but for the huge orange Phra Pathom Chedi which stands not far from the railway and bus stations and which dominates the landscape. It is the tallest single Buddhist monument in the world, rising to 127 metres. The original chedi, now hidden inside the current monument, was built in the early sixth century. In the eleventh century, the city was captured by the Khmer and a Brahman structure was constructed over the top, but then in 1057 the Burmese came and destroyed the city, leaving the monument in ruins until King Mongkut decided to restore it in 1860. It was he who built this gigantic chedi over the remains of the old ones.

From Damnoen Saduak, bus no. 78 (but not no. 996) will pass Nakhon Pathom on its journey. From Bangkok, there are additional buses this far. The journey between Nakhon Pathom and Bangkok takes about 75 minutes. The 56 kilometre ride costs Bt32 for an air-conditioned bus. By train it costs only Bt14 third class.

Between Nakhon Pathom and Bangkok, 24 kilometres from the former and 32 kilometres from the latter, is the Rose Garden, which is another candidate for a stop. It has very pleasant gardens and a type of Instant Thailand show each afternoon at 2.45pm, in case you do not have time to explore the whole country yourself. The show includes Thai boxing, folk dancing, swordsmanship and an elephant display. It costs Bt300. (02 435 1199)

Just one kilometre from the Rose Garden is the Samphran Zoo. It too has show times, at 12:45 and 14:20 (also 10:30 on holidays). The shows include crocodile wrestling, elephants and magic. Admission costs Bt300. (02 284 1873)

A large park covering some 300 acres has replicas of ancient monuments and buildings. All spaced out makes for enjoyable viewing and can be viewed from a bicycle or car. Located 35 km south east of the city in Samut Prakan on Sukhumvit Road, close to the crocodile farm. Entrance fee is 50 Baht (02 323 9253).

Ayutthaya was the ancient capital of Thailand and has some magnificent temples that are popular to visit. Ayutthaya can be reached by boat from Bangkok or by car.

The Buddha image at Wihan Phra Mongkhon Bophit is one of the largest bronze images in Thailand. The Ancient Palace was built by King U-Thong and over years other buildings have been added. Wat Phra Si Samphet is the most important temple within the Palace. There are many other wats to visit and the Chao Sam National Museum with its collection of Buddha images.

Kanchanaburi lies 120 km west of Bangkok and is the site of the “Bridge over the River Kwai”. Trains run from Hua Lampong Station or Bangkok Noi Stations with connections to Kanchanaburi.