On this day, the journey is more important than the destination. The appeal of this tour to Mahachai is that you see so much of the real Thailand along the way. Much more than in Bangkok, you will discover how the Thai live and work, in a world seemingly far removed from that in the capital.

TRAIN TO MAHACHAI

To really soak up the Thai atmosphere, we've opted for transport that goes with the lifestyle of the Thai in the countryside. To start with, after picking you up at the hotel, we'll go to the Wong Wiang Yai Train Station, where we take a seat on the wooden benches of 3rd class like most Thai people. The train moves slowly, the windows wide open to get some breeze in; the Thai take a nap or eat some breakfast. At a leisurely pace, the scenery changes and you see more and more rice fields and villages.

Mahachai is one of Thailand's liveliest fishing communities. It is located on the Tha Chin River at the spot where it flows into the Gulf of Thailand. This is where the fishermen live, processing and trading the fish, crab and shrimp they catch. Once we arrived here, we explore the area first by boat and then by samlor (a kind of rickshaw).

MAEKLONG

After having lunch in Mahachai, we continue by train to Maeklong. Here we visit the huge seafood market and the train market. The latter in particular captures our imagination.

Like any other market, it is a busy place. You don't see any difference. Except that you notice there is a railway track. Do trains come here, you think…. Then a siren blaring sounds and in a flash the market changes. Shoppers disappear and stallholders pull their products off the tracks. The market comes to a halt as all the vendors cling to the poles supporting their canopies to let the train pass. It is so tight that the train, travelling at about 25 km per hour, almost hits the fruit and everything else in the market as it passes.

You will be taken back to your hotel after the tour.