Capturing the elegance of a bygone era, the Loy River Song takes travellers on an unforgettable journey up one of Asia’s most beautiful rivers.
If you’re mulling over a weekend escape (when restrictions allow) then you may want to look at a cruise up Thailand’s meandering Chao Praya River, with the arrival of the waterway’s newest luxury vessel.
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With just four beautifully-appointed staterooms, the Loy River Song joins sister vessel Loy Dream, a two-berth one-hundred-year-old teak rice barge, as part of Loy Pela Voyages, and promises an unforgettable encounter with Thailand’s most important river over two day or four-day itineraries between bustling Bangkok and the ancient Siamese capital of Ayutthaya.
Cruising on the Loy River Song is a chance to step back in time, to an era when teak vessels dominated the Chao Praya River. With a palate of earthy tones and splashed of royal blue, the decor of the new vessel’s staterooms, which range from 20-30sqm, tells the tales of this time with precious antiques and rare Thai silks married with modern touches, including king or queen-size beds, ensuite bathrooms, air-conditioning, and twin vanities.
As the cruise makes its way to UNESCO-listed Ayutthaya, the stories of Thailand’s past and present, of its mighty kings and grand cities are illustrated by a rich tableau of spectacular vistas. Guided excursions, some on foot, others by car or a traditional long-tail boat, place travellers in the very heart of old Siam.
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When you’re not exploring Bang Kachao island on cycling excursions, playing tomb raider in ancient temples, feasting in the elegant dining room, or sipping sundowners in the main salon, with its hand-printed wallpaper, low-slung furniture, and hardwood surfaces, you’ll be able to watch life on the river from the main deck’s comfortable sitting areas, try your hand at yoga, and take in Muay Thai and traditional dance performances.
As you can imagine, the vessel comes with a full crew, including round the clock butler service, a private tour guide, and a dedicated chef, who prepares a daily-changing menu of both European and Royal Thai cuisine by chef Thitid “Ton” Tassanakajohn of Le Du Bangkok restaurant – think Canadian lobsters, freshly-shucked oysters bar, and caviar paired with fine wines.
And you thought Thailand was just for beach bunnies and backpackers!
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