The Guardian in Thailand this week.

Online, October 25, 2009 (Newswire.com) - The Guardian is in town this week with over 200 of UK's top travel agency representatives and industry specialists as well as a few celebrities in town. The Guardian chose Thailand this year to hold its 23rd annual Guardian, Observer and Guardian Unlimited Travel Awards. This year Travel Counsellors bagged the award again with an impressive 99.7% scoring for its customer service.

During the trip the Guardian has laid on an impressive array of activities, some pre-arranged and some days free electives for the group, on one such day last week, the group was given several choices for their day's entertainment, the majority chose the Spice roads urban Bangkok Jungle bike tour ending in the afternoon at Face Bar for drinks.

The day started with the delegates being picked up by a boat that Spice roads had arranged and sailing down the Chao Phraya river through the heart of Bangkok to the point where the Spice roads bike ride was to start.

The Spice roads bike ride introduces an area of Bangkok many just don't know exists, just across the river from the bustling trendy area of the Sukhumvit Road, is an area that gives a feeling of taking a journey back in time. You will find a peaceful place with lush vegetation, a maze of waterways, small villages, temples and real tropical jungle. If it wasn't for Bangkok's skyline, you would never believe you were so close to the city. And... there is no traffic! You ride through the local communities, passing villages, schools and temples (there are over thirty temples in this area) and a delightful floating market (unfortunately, open on weekends only).

The tour included a visit to an incense workshop where delegates took refreshments and saw how this local cottage industry operates. The ride's last attraction was a visit to a fascinating temple, built in the Ayutthaya period, that is more than 250 years old, and has a unique roof made of teak wood. The half day trip is a leisurely 25 Km ride ending around 4.30 at the Face Bar for drinks. Generally the standard Spice roads Bangkok Jungle bike tour would both start and end at Face, allowing the riders the option of a light lunch before the tours start and/or a drink at the end.

Face Bangkok is part of a small Pan-Asian chain of boutique restaurants, all offering more than one dining venue at each particular location. Face in Bangkok being no different, offers three of Asia's most popular cuisines within its compound: Thai, Japanese and Northern Indian.

As the delegates arrived after their ride they were led to the Face's stunning bar that is adorned with Asian artifacts, antiques and beautiful Chinese opium beds. They ended their fantastic day sipping Mojitos, Face's signature cocktails and snacking on sample dishes form all of the Face's restaurants. During the visit the delegates were given tours in small groups of the Face compound that rivals Jim Thomson's house in its grandeur of old Thai houses.

Face boasts six Lan Na stile teak houses, some of which are very grand structures indeed with touring roofs adorned with half a million hand made roof tiles, made by two older ladies over a six month period during the construction. All the houses are joint together by decks interspersed with pools reminding the visitors of the importance the khlongs used to play in everyday life of the Thai people. In each of the buildings, Face offers something very special to experience visually and culinary.

Before the delegates left Face they had a short introduction to one of Thailand's newest up and coming destinations, that sadly was not included in the Guardians itinerary for their trip to Thailand this time. They were introduced to the island called Koh Lipe that is situated nearly as far south on the Andaman coast as one can go without leaving Thailand. Koh Lipe has over the last few years become the main hub for travelers island-hopping their way up and down the Andaman coast for two reasons: one being its location within one of Thailand's oldest National Marine Parks called Tarutao National Marine Park. This area with its checkered past, was once used by the Thai government to intern its political dissidents, during the pre World War years. During the war these dissidents, left without support, turned to piracy along with their guards, which made the area infamously dangerous for ships going up and down the Malaccan straits.

With these days long gone and the introduction of the marine park very early on in Thailand's efforts to preserve its natural beauty, has afforded Tarutao National Marine Park much needed protection other islands and areas have not received, leaving the park with its 50 odd uninhabited islands pretty much untouched, with Koh Lipe the only place to stay, right in the middle. The second reason being that it is now possible via Koh Lipe to access islands across the border: the Malaysian islands of Langkwai and Penang, without ever stepping foot on the mainland, all because of the recent addition of a small customs' post on Koh Lipe. The delegates were also introduced to a small boutique resort on Koh Lipe that has become quite popular over the last few years with tourists and locals alike, because of its design and its location on this beautiful island of Koh Lipe. Castaway Resort has built the reputation for its customer service, its unique design and providing something quite special to its guests.

Useful links:
Spice Roads
http://www.spiceroads.com
Face
http://www.facebars.com/en/bangkok/restaurant/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/face-asia/collections/
http://www.facebook.com/Face-Restaurants-Bars-Spas/
Castaway resorts
http://kohlipe.castaway-resorts.com/
http://www.facebook.com/castawayresort
http://www.flickr.com/photos/castawayresorts/
Info on Lipe and Tarutao:http://www.kohlipethailand.com
Info on Island-hopping in the Andaman Sea:http://www.andaman-island-hopping.com/