Attraction: Sayok National Park (Sai Yok). Central Thailand, Thailand. "Paradise on the River Kwai" Excursion from Pattaya to Erawan Falls and the River Kwai. Day two Sayok noi waterfall
). The park, with an area of 958 km2, stretches along both banks large river Kwae Noi (Mat Nam Khwae Noi); was founded in 1969. A significant area of the protected area is occupied by hills 300-400 m high, covered with mixed deciduous and dry evergreen forests mixed with bamboo groves. Passes through the park mountain range, up to 1000 m high. The most high mountain Sai Yok - Roh Rae, it reaches 1125 m in height. There are many caves and waterfalls in the park. Tigers live in the wilds of the jungle, elephants roam, tapirs lurk. However, only the small area“fenced” and safe, but very beautiful forest. Tourists can explore the surrounding caves and waterfalls. For this purpose, trails have been laid in the park, and on the banks of the river and right on the water there are expensive and not so expensive hotels, bungalows, and restaurants. There are no roads leading to the rest of the reserve and no one disturbs the life of the forest inhabitants.
Weather
The park is open to the public all year round. However best time for travel - the period from November to March, when the weather is pleasant, dry and not too hot. In rivers the water warms up to 22-24°C. The rainy season begins in May and lasts until October. The hottest period lasts from February to April.
The most popular attractions in the park
There are routes throughout the park hiking trails, walking along which you can get acquainted with tropical forest, meet some of the local inhabitants, listen to the singing of birds and the chirping of cicadas. There are many bizarre caves in Sayoc, the walls, vaults and floors of which are covered with monstrous formations of stalactites and stalagmites. Rivers and streams cascade down from the low rocky outcrops of the hills. The park has thermal radon springs.
Sai Yok Yai Waterfall(Sai Yok Yai waterfall) falls from a thirty-meter height, forming a bowl at the foot in which you can swim. There are steps leading to its top. If you follow the path, about 700 m, you can find the source of the river that gives birth to Sai Yok Yai. It looks like a huge spring, but with fairly warm water. An old steam locomotive is installed next to the waterfall - a memorial monument marking the place where construction of the Death Road stopped. During World War II, the Japanese tried to build a railway line, the famous Death Road, through the wild jungle, now the lands of Sayok Park. Many captured soldiers and civilians of Burma and Thailand died during hard labor, and the forest area was also damaged. Thanks to the efforts of the country's government, the forest is gradually being restored. Sai Yok Yai Falls itself is located near Nam Tok Station, a busy tourist spot with many shops and cafes. While walking near the waterfall, you can meet beggar monkeys who happily take bananas and corn from tourists. True, you need to be careful; animals can snatch any object they like right out of your hands, for example, a camera aimed at them, and sometimes they even bite particularly unceremonious guests.
Sai Yok Noi(Sai Yok Noi waterfall) - small, the height of the water fall is only 10 m, but a very spectacular waterfall. Its main feature is that it discharges the stream not into a bowl, but directly into the Kwae Noi River. A thick forest canopy hangs over the waterfall, making it seem as if the cascading water is seeping right through the trees. The beauty of this place is glorified in Thai culture. Sai Yok Noi is also famous for the fact that Rama V (1853 - 1910) himself, the king of Thailand, known by the epithet “The Great Beloved King,” once swam here. He is considered one of the most worthy rulers of Siam (1238 - 1932) - the largest Thai state in Indochina, which included the vassal states of Cambodia, Lanna, Laos, Pegu, as well as parts of Malaysia. During the years of his reign, Rama V modernized the government of Siam, carried out a number of important social reforms, but most importantly, defended the country's territories before the British Empire and did not give them to French Indochina. Rama V saved Siam from colonization, although not without the help of the last emperor Russian Empire Nicholas II.
Kwae Noi River(Kwae Noi) - flows along the western borders of Thailand, but only part of it is part of the Sayok national park. Kwae Noi - very popular place recreation among local and foreign tourists, thanks to the beauty of the surrounding nature and well-established infrastructure. There are many cozy resort villages along the banks of the river; in some parts of Kwae Noi, floating restaurants and hotels are located right on the water. Here you can ride a boat, swim in fairly warm and clear water, and go fishing. By the way, there are about one and a half dozen fish in the river.
Lava Cave(Lawa Cave) is one of the largest caves in the area, formed by five halls, and the total depth of the galleries is 485 m. Next to Lava, just 50 m away, the Kwai Noi River flows. The cave was discovered relatively recently, in 1995. Local residents tried to make it safe for visiting, but to preserve the charm of the place - they cleverly illuminated some of the vaults, leaving the opportunity to admire the natural light penetrating inside, corrected paths here and there, etc. The entrance to the grotto is hidden by a bamboo forest, and concrete steps lead to it. Guests are greeted by 3 meter statue Buddha wrapped in yellow robes. The cave is interesting with its ornate passages, bizarre stalactites and stalagmites. Each of the rooms is special, with its own mood; it’s not for nothing that they all have personal names. As usual, the cave is home to horseshoe bats (Rhinolophus).
Paid entrance.
Plants and animals of the park
The park is home to mixed deciduous, dry evergreen forests mixed with bamboo groves. Along rare streams, pandalus (Pandanus) with a shock of long, hard leaves stand on branched stilt roots, and bagunia (Bauhinia picne) grow - beautiful flowering plants with large hoof-shaped leaves. By the way, the coat of arms and flag of Hong Kong depict a stylized white Bauhinia flower with five petals on a red background, and on each petal there is a red star. Among the large flowering trees you can find here: fancy legumes, for example, Albizia, whose long stamens form a fluffy ball and therefore resemble dandelions, beautifully flowering Lagerstremia and much more. Plant lovers will find it interesting in the park, but most importantly, no one will have difficulty identifying a representative of the flora, since the trees and shrubs have signs, like in a giant botanical garden. True, alas, some of the names are mixed up.
It is better to walk in the forest on your own either in the morning, before ten o’clock, or in the evening, when the sun is approaching the horizon. It can be hot during the day, and the bright lighting dulls the colors and makes the world look like a faded umbrella, which is a shame, especially if you were planning to take photos. Moreover, than less people, so with big amount forest inhabitants can be met. Right on the path of the park it is easy to encounter tupaya - small animals that look like squirrels and the squirrels themselves, called palm squirrels (Funambulus palmarum), which in turn resemble chipmunks. There are many birds in the park, especially wild chickens. Sometimes snakes appear on the road, including highways, and toads hide from the heat in ravines.
Perhaps the most popular excursion in Thailand, according to tourist reviews, is the River Kwai. In fact, there is no such river in Thailand. And this name appeared thanks to the French writer Pierre Boulle, who in 1954 wrote the novel “The Bridge on the River Kwai”, based on it in 1957 Hollywood made a film of the same name. By the way, the film received 7 Oscars. Because of this popularity, a pilgrimage of tourists to the province of Kanchanaburi began. But find famous bridge was problematic, since two rivers with a similar name flow in Thailand - the Kwai Noi River (Noi in Thai - small) and the Kwai Yai River (Yay in Thai - big), these rivers merge in the area of the city of Kanchanaburi and form the Maeklong River, which, in turn flows into the Gulf of Thailand. In fact, the famous bridge is located on the Kwai Yai River. For the convenience of tourists, first on English-language maps, and then on others, the River Kwai Yai began to be called simply the River Kwai.
The bridge over the River Kwai itself was built in 1943. It was part of the railway that connected the city of Kanchanaburi and the Japanese military base in Burma Thanbyuzayat. The construction of this railway involved the labor of more than 60 thousand English, Australian, Dutch and American prisoners of war and about two hundred thousand local residents from Thailand, Burma, Singapore and Malaysia. Already in 1944, the bridge was destroyed by British aircraft. After the war, it was restored as a memorial in memory of those killed (the number of deaths during the construction of the entire railway, according to various sources, is from 90,000 to 100,000 people, which is why it was called the “road of death”). There is a short path left from the railway - about 5 km, along which you can take a guided tour on an old steam locomotive. The Thai government plans to completely restore railway in the near future.
Every year, excursions to the River Kwai become more and more popular. In this regard, the number of hotels along the river bank is growing at an alarming rate and soon there will probably not be a single piece of truly wild and untouched nature left along the river.
So what is the excursion itself? Let's start with the fact that this program is two-day and very intense. More precisely, it is not one program, but several. Plus, each has its own distinctive features. Depending on all this, the price can vary from 2300 to 5000 baht. What you should pay attention to when purchasing an excursion:
1. You will be taken on a big excursion bus or by minibus. The advantage of the latter option is mobility, small groups, you don’t have to wait for everyone for a long time, the disadvantage is that it is not as convenient as in a large bus, and often there is no lectures from the guide while driving, since the guide can travel in another minibus.
2. A professional and interesting guide. Well, it depends on your luck, although the impressions of the entire excursion largely depend on this indicator.
3. And, directly, herself excursion program. It may include the following excursions:
Coconut farm. You will learn how coconut oil and palm sugar are made. Get acquainted with the arrangement of a Thai house from the inside.
Next, they are delivered to the Floating Market. You will have to ride along the canals on Thai boats. This is a whole village with residential buildings on the water. A kind of Venice, only with a Thai twist. There is also a souvenir market there. It is not recommended to buy anything; in Pattaya all this can be bought much cheaper.
Sayok Noy waterfall. The water in it is not cold at all. Everyone is swimming. During the period from January to March, the water pressure in the waterfall is very small due to the lack of rain. Not far from the waterfall itself there is a market where you can stock up on local chips made from Thai fruits. Prices are lower than in Pattaya. The choice is richer. Across the road is a continuation of the market. Prices are even lower. There you can also find a traditional medicine pharmacy, also with very good prices. All drugs have a Russian translation.
Erawan Waterfall. Many consider this waterfall to be the most beautiful in Thailand. It is located on the territory national reserve. I would not recommend taking a special excursion to it. Still a bit far from Pattaya. But as additional excursion I highly recommend it when traveling to Kwai. This waterfall is multi-tiered (seven levels). The height of the seventh level is 997 meters above sea level. From the first level to the seventh – 1.5 km. Anyone who wants and is able to overcome all seven levels must walk along a narrow mountain path from level to level through the jungle. At almost every level, small lakes are formed by the falling flow of water in which you can swim. It is here that you can get a free session, since this waterfall is home to Garra Rufa fish. True, they are a little larger here than in Pattaya fish massage parlors, so not everyone will be able to withstand their biting, it’s more likely not to hurt, but to tickle. But don't be afraid to swim in the waterfall. It is enough to move in the water, and the fish are scared in different sides. Information for those who decide to visit the waterfall on their own - ticket price is 200 baht, opening hours from 08.00 to 16.30.
Elephant village. There are several such villages on the way to Kwai. It doesn’t matter at all which one you visit. Just make sure when purchasing an excursion that elephant riding is included in the total price. You can give the camera to the driver and he will take pictures of you along the way. Don't indulge in tips, 20 baht is enough. You can also buy bananas and feed the elephant as a thank you for your trip. After the ride, you will be offered to buy a frame with your photo made from elephant dung (a frame, of course, not a photograph). The Thais are doing a good business producing environmentally friendly paper from elephant dung. It happens that they will show a small show.
Buddha Cave (Tham Crasea). Included in approximately half of the programs. Inside the cave there is a statue of Buddha. You can also see a rail with a sign there. The level of the River Kwai rose to this level in 1974.
Feeding the monkeys. It is better to stop by in the first half of the day; around lunchtime they are already fed by other tourists and are sleeping. If you didn’t manage to see the monkeys, don’t worry – there is a beach on Koh Lan where monkeys live. You can combine business with pleasure - go swimming and feed the monkeys. When interacting with monkeys, watch your things carefully, as they love and are good at stealing.
Radon sources. There are several of them on the way to Kwai. They can use any name. Usually they are brought to springs near a mountain river. Like in a Russian fairy tale, you need to plunge first into one pool, then into a second and, finally, into a third. The water in the pools is of different temperatures - from warm to hot. Swimming in pools should be alternated with plunging into the cold waters of a mountain river. Of course, you won’t get a healing effect in one session, but it’s still interesting to attend this event. Not recommended for people with blood pressure and heart disease.
Teak Factory. This factory employs craftsmen who carve tableware and furniture from teak. Teak is one of the most durable trees. If you choose the right wood and process it correctly, over time the product will turn to stone. Some work takes craftsmen months and years to complete. Everything can be bought. Naturally, this is a pleasure for the rich.
They almost always bring it to a tea shop and Thai pharmacy, since the guides have a percentage of this. Prices are expensive, you can find all this cheaper in Pattaya. Even if you don't buy anything, you can listen useful information and taste tea and infusions.
Alloy. This is perhaps the most important thing in the whole excursion. Many people go to Kwai precisely because of rafting. You are floating on a raft and, at some point, you are given the command to jump into the water (wearing life jackets, of course). You jump and the river itself carries you. Personally, we arrived at Kwai already when it got dark and rafted in pitch darkness. It’s also a kind of exotic adventure – sailing along the river and looking at the stars. Although there is a minus here - the photographs did not turn out well. No one is forced to jump; you can swim the whole way on a raft. By the way, crocodiles are not found in this river.
Hotel. The choice here is very rich - from houses on the water without electricity (a kerosene lamp is used for lighting) to five-star hotels with swimming pools located in the jungle. Who likes what - exotic full program or comfort. Depending on this point, the price of the excursion varies. When purchasing, check what the hotel will be like so that there are no unnecessary disappointments.
Be sure to take warm clothes with you, it is quite cool on the river in the mornings.
More positive and the excursion to the River Kwai will remain one of the most vivid impressions from your stay in Thailand.
Poster for the film “The Bridge on the River Kwai”The film “The Bridge on the River Kwai”, which was released in wide release in the 1960s, brought worldwide fame to this river. Key scenes of this film were filmed on the right tributary of the Khwe River. After the film was released, the river was called not Khwe, but Khweyay or Kwai, after the name of its small tributary.
The growing popularity of the river became the reason for the decision to officially rename the river Khway Yai. Later, another famous film, “The Deer Hunter,” was filmed in these places.
River Kwai in Thailand
Bridge over the River Kwai
Rest on the river
Standard travel packages offer a very exciting and varied holiday on the River Kwai. Every tourist can find something interesting for themselves. The duration of the program is on average two days and one night. During this time you can fully immerse yourself in the beauty local nature, taste exquisite, spicy Thai cuisine, touch national traditions and the culture of the Thai people.
A trip to the River Kwai allows you to break away from the beach, serene, monotonous holiday for a few days and get closer to this vibrant Asian country. These places are attractive to both young people and mature people. Various adventures await everyone. During this journey you will have to move around different types transport - buses, boats, boats, bamboo rafts. Somewhere, of course, you will have to walk and even swim (for those who want to do this).
Damnom Saduak Floating MarketSights of the first day of the trip to the River Kwai
The journey starts from Pattaya to Kanchanaburi, the journey takes about six hours by tourist bus. Certainly, travel companies fill the program with only some attractions. It is worth dwelling in more detail on the main, most popular of them.
Number one on the list of attractions is the so-called “bridge of death”. During its construction, about a hundred workers died. During World War II, the bridge was destroyed by a bomb. It was then restored, and today it is a monument reminiscent of the dire consequences of the war.
Not far from the bridge you can find a curious cave in which there is giant statue Buddha. This place is also one of the most visited by tourists heading to the River Kwai. After the cave, people can see the coconut plantation and farmer's house.
Next on the route is a visit to the floating market - Damnom Saduak. It can only be reached by boat. Numerous souvenirs, local fruits and vegetables can be purchased from local merchants directly from the boats.
Buddha statue in Goto Cave
As tourists approach their destination, they may also be encouraged to visit a teak factory. Wealthy guests can buy furniture, paintings and various decorative items made by hand here.
Having rested a little after lunch, travelers head to the local nature reserve - Sayok Yai, and cool off in the water of the local waterfall. Next, it is recommended to visit a farm that specializes in breeding elephants. You can feed the animals bananas and watch a show with their participation.
Finally, tourists arrive at the River Kwai. You can book yourself a bungalow for the night or a room in a floating hotel. Many people float to it on bamboo rafts, and some swim. Have a relaxing holiday The first day of the journey ends on the river bank.
Wellness treatments on the second day of travel
On the second day, guests are invited to visit thermal springs Khan Dat. It is believed that the water in them helps improve the condition of people with any problems with the musculoskeletal system. Two swimming pools are open for tourists, the temperature of which is 40-45 degrees. In general, in each of the sources the temperature level is different; in one it can fluctuate at around only twenty degrees, and in the neighboring one – forty.
To achieve the maximum effect from this procedure, it is recommended to first immerse yourself in the cold water of the river. To diversify your holiday, you can visit the local doctor’s shop, which is located not far from the springs. He sells various ointments, potions and healing balms. It is worth noting that traditional medicine in this country is of quite high quality, since a “healer” can be executed for the production and sale of a harmful or ineffective drug.
After lunch, tourists are usually offered to visit a pineapple farm or Sayok Noi waterfall. He's incredible beautiful view, and the water is literally icy. The return to the floating hotel on the River Kwai and then to Pattaya takes the afternoon.
In the previous part of the photo story, I dwelt in detail on the Erawan waterfall, which is so steep that it deserved a separate article. All parts of the report and trip plan. Now it's time to finish the report on the excursion to the River Kwai.
The most interesting thing is that you can book this excursion online for any date. I advise you to use this service, because you no longer have to look for a good agency, everything can be done without leaving your computer.
First we will go rafting down the river. The next point in my story will be riding an elephant, then the road of death and the Sayok waterfall. We will also swim in hot springs and visit a cave temple.
Rafting on the River Kwai
So, we checked into the hotel and had a delicious dinner. Let me remind you that we chose to spend the night in a room on the water. It was already dark, and when we went out onto the terrace, we did not see the river itself, but we heard a stormy stream running, murmuring merrily.
Having gotten up early in the morning so that we had time to walk around the surrounding area, we again went out onto the terrace of our room to finally see the River Kwai. The correct name of the river is Khvenoi. But since tourists call it Kwai and this is the name that is common, Kwai will appear in my photo story.
Kwai appeared to us in all its glory: the banks are buried in tropical greenery, and the river itself is wide and... brown. The color surprised me, because soon we will be rafting along it! And it is not possible to see which living creatures are swimming there. Although the guide assures that it is safe here, some creeks actually have dangerous inhabitants. And the rafting takes place along the safest section of the river.
I decided to capture this as a keepsake:
After exploring the surroundings from our modest terrace, we went for breakfast and then walked around the grounds. We discovered something interesting: a bridge to the other side of the river and a staircase to the top of the mountain. Started climbing:
From here you can see the houses where we spent the night.
And on the rock there is a huge inscription - a local landmark.
While waiting to check out, we walked around the hotel grounds a little more and found a swing. The local cat accompanies us here too:
The time has come, and we are escorted onto a large raft. View from the raft on one of the banks of the River Kwai:
Those who decide to raft the river are given life jackets. Me in a vest on a raft:
This small boat is dragging a huge raft on which all the tourists are:
We took a photo as a souvenir while we were driven to the place where we will begin our swim:
After a short ride on the raft, we go down into the water. Now we're alone with water element. Let's go with the flow. At first it was unusual, visibility was poor, the water was dark, but at the same time clear. You don’t even have to swim, but just hang out in the water, the vest perfectly performs its function of keeping you afloat, and the current will still bring you to the right place.
It was fun and wonderful:
We were very carried away by all sorts of water fun, and at the end of the path we did not notice the obstacle. We did not have time to row away from the bending branches of thorny plants. The current is strong. Anton photographed the moment when I hit the branches, and the current had already managed to carry me a little away from them. Zhenya crashed into them after me.
I escaped with scratches on my hand, but rather deep ones: the sharp thorns of this plant pierced me, and I had to pull them out myself right in the water. 🙁 In Thailand, wounds take a long time to heal, even such small ones. But everything ended well, and after a while I forgot about this trouble.
We swam to the finish line: they threw ropes for us to make it easier to get to land, and also so that we wouldn’t be carried further by the current.
Elephant ride at Elephant Village
After the rafting we were given a little time to clean up and get dressed. Meanwhile, the elephants are already in full combat readiness, and everyone is waiting only for us.
This is my first time sitting on the back of such a huge animal! At this moment you experience many emotions. Fear, joy, trepidation and anticipation of how it will be. We sit down in pairs. I am, of course, with Anton:
Our driver took our camera and made a bunch of different shots.
We take a souvenir selfie riding an elephant:
After riding through the jungle we descend into the river. Some elephants took water into their trunks and splashed.
After the ride, the mahouts put the elephants out in such a way that they could touch them, take pictures and, of course, thank them.
My review of elephant riding is of course positive! The incredible thing is that you sit on the back of such a powerful animal, and he obediently goes where he is told. Swimming in the river on an elephant is also very fun. I recommend. You can also ride elephants on the River Kwai on your own. The village where we rode is called Elephant Village. Unfortunately, I don't know the cost.
After the ride, we were gathered to watch a show with elephants.
Mostly young elephants entertain tourists:
We have already seen elephant shows at the zoo, but they are different. Interesting.
Zhenya and Anton take part in the performance. The little elephant puts on Anton's hat. What a great guy he is :)
For a nominal fee you can take a photo with an elephant! Of course, I agreed, and now I have this photo:
They found a pomelo nearby, but the fruits were not yet ripe, so they didn’t pick them or try them.
Death Road and Tam Crase Cave
This beauty is visible from the narrow gauge railway:
We went to the Tam Crase cave, which is a temple for hermit monks. The cave fulfills wishes, be sure to make a wish that particularly excites you. Who knows, maybe the truth will come true. 🙂
It's nice and cool here.
This cave is also called "Buddha's Cave". Here you will see a large golden Buddha. There is silence and some kind of special atmosphere here.
Many bring donations, while others are simply looking around.
Cave beauties:
Leaving the cave, we walk along the narrow-gauge railway. This is the Thai-Burma Railway. It was built during the Second World War to supply troops. The construction was carried out by prisoners and convicts. The number of deaths during the construction process was in the tens of thousands. Therefore, the road has the unofficial name “Death Railway”. The railway was completely destroyed during the war, and now you can only see a restored small part of the narrow gauge railway.
Antonio, as always, is in his repertoire - looking for unusual poses for a photo shoot. In fact, the place is sad, and there is not much to have fun here.
Hot springs and tea tasting
Then we went to the hot springs. Along the way we see how durian grows:
Hot springs in Kanchanaburi are three springs of different heat, from 38 to 45 degrees approximately. There are people there, of course... It feels like all the tourists in Thailand are brought here. But we found a free corner and took a dip in all three sources.
IN last water really hot. It's better not to sit for a long time.
One of the sources took a photo for memory:
Then we proceeded to a Thai tea tasting. We tried a lot, but the most delicious was milk oolong.
Sai Yok Noi Waterfall
Last interesting point Our trip was the Sayok Noi waterfall. It's not as impressive after Erawan, but it's still very entertaining.
It is located just 2 km from Nam Tok Railway Station.
Actually in national park Sai Yok has at least 2 more waterfalls: Sai Yok Yai and Sai Yok Lek. Tourists are taken to the most easily accessible and closest.
The nature of Thailand is incredibly amazing. It is incredibly beautiful and tropically exotic here.
Here is the waterfall itself. The height of the water fall is 10 meters. But after Erawan, I wasn't so impressed with him. It was necessary to change their places in the tour program and watch Sai Yok Noi first. Therefore, I immediately suggest booking this excursion option, where everything is smart, and first they take you to Sayok, and only on the second day - to the beautiful Erawan!
The stones are very slippery, you need to be extremely careful!
The last attraction we saw that day was the train. Previously, the same Thai-Burma railway, the “road of death,” passed through the Sayok Noi waterfall. Currently, we can see a memorial in the form of a train on the railway tracks at this place. You can climb on it, look at it, touch it and take pictures.
The end of the trip was a visit to a small market and watching monkeys in the backyard:
Results of an overnight excursion to the River Kwai:
Without exaggeration, I will say that this is the most interesting and emotional excursion. If you are faced with a choice of where to go, don’t hesitate to take an excursion to the River Kwai plus Erawan. In two days there are so many different impressions: elephants, rafting, a night on the river, a teak factory, two waterfalls, a tropical jungle and interesting stories from a guide. What you need to charge yourself with emotions for the year ahead!
The next day, after relaxing during the day at the seaside, in the evening we went to Mini Siam. We were very pleased, so I recommend checking it out.
The day of the second excursion to the River Kwai began, as expected, with breakfast at 6:30 am.
Dawn on the River Kwai. Thai pharmacy with “magic pills”
And already at seven o’clock we boarded the bus to quickly go to “a real Thai pharmacy, located not at all in tourist place and which are not at all in Pattaya.” So real that (according to our “guide”) there are no inscriptions on the product, not only in Russian, but even in English.
- But I called in the morning and agreed that they would at least translate it into English before our arrival...
All the way to the pharmacy, Andryushka told us about his mother, a doctor, and his grandmother, who were miraculously cured of all diseases thanks to Thai herbal medicines. And he himself lost 25 kilograms:
- First you need to cleanse your intestines. Then we buy Benja to cleanse the liver. The Thais even treat hepatitis with the help of “benzha”. Also, the whole world cannot defeat cancer, but this Thai pharmacy has herbs that also help with cancer...
Well, and so on. I, of course, am not a doctor, but in the stories of our “guide” only the “golden pill” was not enough to, without making any effort and absorbing everything, lose weight, look younger and be cured of all diseases. I was especially pleased with the conversations in the morning about worms, hemorrhoids and other intestinal diseases...
In front of the "real Thai pharmacy in non-tourist place“It turned out to be a huge paved parking lot that could accommodate a dozen buses.
A Thai pharmacy where, according to Andryushka, you will find magical cures for all diseases. — Taking photographs inside the pharmacy is prohibited, the fine is 5,000 baht! – our “Russian guide” warned.
I don’t know why “Thai pharmacists” are so afraid, why do they prohibit photography in their “authentic pharmacies”? This is an ordinary dimly lit room four by four, in which there are jars on shelves. You come up, take what you want and go to the checkout. “Here in Europe” pharmacies look a little different. Well, the most surprising thing is that after a call from our “Russian guide” at 7 am, the pharmacists managed to translate their prescriptions not only into English, but also into Russian. And even print out brochures with annotations in Russian. Miracles and only...
Already inside the pharmacy, Andryushka once again breathily told about the magical properties all these herbs have, and that you definitely need to take two jars of each in order for the treatment course to be complete...
“Excuse me, Andrey,” I asked him, “why don’t you use medications from this pharmacy?”
“You’re not listening to me at all, I told you about my mother and grandmother, who, with the help of these herbs, were cured of many diseases...
What great fellows the Thais are. In an hour we managed to prepare descriptions of herbs not only in English, but also in Russian. — Sorry, but you wear glasses with very thick lenses. And here I see jars with herbs, under which it is written that they completely restore vision. So why don't you use them?..
Not finding what to answer, Andryushka snorted, pouted his lips offendedly and pointedly turned away. The rest of the customers, as if spellbound, rushed to collect full baskets of the miraculous “potion”, creating a queue at the checkout. Some didn’t even have enough money to pay for all this “happiness”.
— If someone doesn’t have the required amount with them, don’t worry, they will give you “medicines” on credit. And when you return to Pattaya, you will give the cash to the driver...
Amazing generosity. And if yesterday we were warned that in case of a five-minute delay the bus would leave without latecomers, then near the “pharmacy” the bus waited until the last minute. And even when last passenger had already returned from the pharmacy, Andryushka remained in the room for some time, probably settling issues regarding the loan...
Tea shop with healing infusions
Tea tasting. After the pharmacy, stop at a tea shop. It turned out that Thai teas have even greater medicinal properties than medicines and herbs. With much fanfare, the “guide” advocated for the purchase of “natural deodorant crystal Alunite” and some intimate product that would turn women’s “elephant hole into a mouse hole.”
The only depressing thing was that people had already spent a lot of money at the pharmacy, so they tasted the teas, but were in no hurry to buy.
And this is a summary on teas. Also 5 sheets in small print. And everything is in Russian. Radon sources
The road to the radon source runs through shopping arcades. Well, how about you pass by and not even buy anything? There are so many interesting and completely unnecessary things on sale. Then we went to the radon hot springs, where we arrived at 8:35. While we were shaking on the bus, I did a little digging on Wikipedia, and there I read, I quote: “radon baths are a treatment method based on the use of radioactive water or air... the radioactive gas radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in many countries... and even in low concentrations, radon poses a health risk and contributes to cancer...radon baths can only be prescribed by a doctor due to the need to strictly adhere to the amount of radiation taken.” End of quote.
“Guide” Andryushka sells yet another piece of bullshit to tourists. Having arrived at the place, our entire group splashed happily in the warm radioactive water for almost an hour. Surprisingly, I didn’t see any Chinese or other Asian tourists nearby, and all the inscriptions around the source were made exclusively in Russian...
We left at 9:20.
Red bananas for tourists. According to the guide, Thais do not eat bananas, as they consider them animal feed. 
Information panel at the radon source. All inscriptions are only in Thai and Russian. 
Tourists receive their dose of radiation in radon sources. 
There was a strong impression that the excursion to the River Kwai was aimed exclusively at Russian-speaking tourists. Rafting on the River Kwai
Around ten o'clock we arrived at the Sweet Garden River Kwai Resort hotel - it was from here that we were supposed to make that swim along the Kwai River, which was presented as the culmination and main goal of our excursion. Here we boarded the raft, put on life jackets, and the boat towed us several kilometers upstream. After which those who wished jumped from the raft into the water in order to return to the hotel, driven by the current, by swimming.
We load onto the raft. This was probably the most fun part of our Day 2 program for me. True, the River Kwai itself turned out to be so shallow in places that it could be crossed on foot if desired. But it’s not as cloudy as during the rainy season.
Everyone is ready to set sail. 
A raft with tourists is being towed up the river. 
On the pier near the hotel. The rafting on the River Kwai was successful. Dinner
At 11 o'clock - lunch. Differs from previous meals during this trip only in the presence of tea and coffee. And so the set of dishes is still the same: rice, rice with chicken, boiled potatoes, chicken with pineapple, empty soup.
Death Road and Sayok Noi Waterfall
An old locomotive on the "death road". After lunch we went to the “road of death” - the place where, during World War 2, prisoners of war built a railway between Bangkok and Rangoon (Burma) on the orders of the Japanese emperor. Construction was going on a little more than a year, and during this time 90 thousand Asians and 16 thousand Europeans died here from hard labor conditions. Here, next to the old steam locomotive, where we had a chance to take pictures, there is also the Sayok Noi waterfall. In total, 40 minutes were allocated for the “death road”, waterfall and toilet.
We go from the old carriage to the Sayok Noi waterfall. 
Such interesting animals live at the Sayok Noi waterfall. 
Sayok Noi waterfall. 
Stones at the Sayok Noi waterfall. Be careful, very slippery! elephant farm
The main feature of the elephant farm. We arrived at the elephant farm at five to five. On the way, in his usual manner, Andryushka talked about how simply riding elephants (which is included in the program) is not interesting. It’s a completely different matter to swim with them! You take a brush and soap, rub the elephant’s back, washing away dust and dirt from it, standing next to it in the River Kwai. The elephant will splash your face with a fountain of foamy water from its trunk in gratitude. And for this half-hour pleasure you need to pay only 500 baht per person...
Elephant riding. In a word, until 14:30 we rode elephants (those who wanted to swam with them) and watched the “elephant show”. The “Elephant Show” is a performance that is repeated every 20 minutes for each newly arrived group. A baby elephant with rope scuffs on its skin repeats, like a clock, the same actions for newly arriving tourists: dancing, throwing darts, taking photographs for 40 baht. In gratitude, tourists give him bananas, often right in plastic bags. The baby elephant stuffs these bags of bananas into his mouth... I’ll be honest: for me personally, looking at a tortured baby elephant swallowing plastic bags was a dubious pleasure with elements of sadism. But many tourists most likely liked this “show”.
Tortured baby elephant at an elephant show. 
For 40 baht, the baby elephant will be placed or seated in one of the poses learned for photographing. The animal performs such gymnastics several hundred times a day. Return to Pattaya
At exactly 14:30 our group boarded the bus. Our “Russian guide” said that this completed the “Paradise on the River Kwai” excursion program, and now we are returning to Pattaya. Andryushka was dropped off the bus in Bangkok, and they happily arrived in the “city of sin and debauchery” at about 9 pm. During the journey from 14:30 to 21:00 in 7 hours, only one 15-minute stop was made to visit the toilet! And I am silent about the fact that we had lunch at 11 am, and until 9 pm there were no more breaks for snacks. No stories about Thailand, no interesting conversations with the “guide”. But we watched three old comedy films: the American “Pretend to Be My Wife” and the Russian “Election Day” and “Freaks”.
Conclusion
What can I say to sum up the excursion “Paradise on the River Kwai”.
The trip is certainly interesting and you should do it anyway. Of course, it will be especially interesting if the guide accompanying you spends more time on the history of Thailand rather than aggressive marketing. Yes, and I would like a little more stops for snacks and toilets. But overall, the program is rich and worth the money spent.