Bangkok Heritage MICE intro

Heritage and soul of the city

Behind the modern metropolis Go beyond the towering skyscrapers, modern shopping malls and the usual tourist traps and discover another side to Bangkok.

Imagine walking along the city’s back streets and cruising along canals, visiting neighbourhoods rich in culture, tradition and heritage sights. Get out of the conference room and meet the locals who have a story to tell.

Imagine, taking a break from a corporate meeting, or a highlight of the day’s incentive travel experience, walking along the city’s back streets and through neighbourhoods rich in culture, tradition and heritage sights. We’ll take you on a journey to places and palaces where normal tours do not reach.

Routes and trails filled with architectural landmarks, interesting characters with stories to share and dining experiences famous with the locals, yet rarely included in conference and incentive programmes.

Be enthralled by surprising city centre historic hideaways. Take a selfie in parts of the city you didn’t know existed. And then there’s the mighty Chao Phraya, Bangkok’s River of Kings district, which is best explored by boat and on foot.

Thailand’s capital city is a living history book, and every pier, building and street corner has its own chapter.

Our desire at PIGS is to redefine what it is means to visit Bangkok, whether for business, pleasure or “bleisure”. There’s an historic side to the city that we want to share with you and weave into your conference, convention or incentive itinerary. And we hope that you will be enriched by your visit to Bangkok and wish to return.

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ift history off the pages and explore the historic side of Bangkok, rich in stories. With many heritage attractions, landmarks and buildings that sculpted architectural trends in the city, there’s another side of the city to discover.

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olourful neighbourhoods and backstreet walking trails. You’ll trip over history at every turn. We’ll introduce you to the city’s fabled characters, historic moments and legendary monarchs, as you’ll visit historic homes, temples, palaces and other places of interest.

Relive history from the pages

And rest beneath luxurious sheets

Stay in style. Meet with luxury.

An homage to the past.

We have carefully selected hotels that have a long lasting legacy and reflect the colourful tapestry of Bangkok’s heritage.

Each of the one-of-a-kind hotels transports you to a unique place. Weaving a sense of the past with contemporary comfort and luxury.

Mandarin Oriental Bangkok For more than 140 years, travellers have followed the Chao Phraya River to stay at this legendary hotel. A haven of calm. Timeless yet contemporary, a unique blend of luxury and comfort makes this the ultimate Bangkok address.

Raweekanlya Wellness Cuisine Resort Originally built in the late 1800’s as the residence of the royal governess of His Majesty King Rama VI. The hotel features 38 guest rooms carefully designed to reflect the heritage of Old Siam with contemporary touches.

Shangri-La hotel Bangkok Not strictly a heritage hotel but by their location being riverside at Bangkok’s River of Kings and one of the larger 5-star meeting hotels, we had to include them.

Connected by the river to some of the city’s most iconic sites.

The Siam The hotel presents an authentic Thai experience replete with exquisite art and antiques. A stunning design that is rooted in culture, lush gardens and striking Art Deco style makes the property unforgettable.

The Sukhothai Bangkok We had to include this hotel in our Top 6 as it is like no other. Set amidst tropical gardens, the luxurious hotel provides an oasis of peace in the heart of the city. A sanctuary and marriage of traditional design with modern sophistication.

W Bangkok A luxury urban playground, seamlessly blending premier accommodation with style and comfort. Located in North Sathorn road, the hotel is a stylish icon of Asian chic, boasting one-of-a-kind luxury accommodation right in the heart of the city.

Reserved for discerning individual travellers For individuals and groups not requiring conferencing or function facilities, we are pleased to recommend intimate hotels that also ooze with style and pay homage to the heritage of Bangkok.

Ariyasom Villa The original Villa was built in 1941 and was considered to be in the outskirts of the city. With the expansion of the city centre over the last 70 years the city centre now embraces the 24 guest room villa. A worthy inclusion in our heritage line-up.

The Bhuthorn Restored faithful to its heritage, the building has been registered with the Fine Arts Department since 1999.

The Bhuthorn, a centuryold shop-house, offers three guestrooms each decorated in their own individual style and heirloom characteristics.

The Eugenia Hotel Experience old world architectural beauty blended with modern panache. This unique Colonial inspired house recreates 19th century luxury living. Faithful to its heritage, The Eugenia features just three unique suites.

Praya Palazzo One of the top boutique accommodations in Bangkok. What was once a private Italian-style mansion is now a gorgeous, boutique hotel along the banks of the fabled Chao Phraya River.

Recognised for its impressive architecture and hospitality.

Riva Arun This 25-room boutique hotel is majestically located on the bank of the Chao Phraya River, in the midst of the city’s most treasured historical sites, overlooking Wat Arun and a few steps from the royal Grand Palace.

Shanghai Mansion Chinatown’s most striking and artistic boutique hotel blends heritage with whimsical details. Inspired by the landmark building’s theatrical roots and original Art Deco flair, Shanghai Mansion reflects the stylish mood of Shanghai, circa 1930.

Welcome to Bangkok’s Heritage.

Let us show your clients and colleagues the most exciting and engaging ways to explore the story of Bangkok. Whatever era they want to discover, we’ve got routes and trails, curated by historians and artisans, taking inspiration from the past.

Tours today. Fuelled by the past.

We are certain that by adding heritage moments into your next meeting or group visit to Bangkok, you will enchant your guests long after they have seen another side to the city.

Once we’ve got you settled into your guestroom, we work to make your visit extra special. Whatever the reason for your

visit, be it to meet, to learn, to share ideas, or to just travel and explore a great city, we have the connections and characters to make your visit truly memorable. We work with local historians, artists, designers and chefs to conjure up experiences that delight. Our team of local experts have a genuine desire to share their knowledge and enthusiasm with everyone.

Our passion at PIGS is presenting destinations in a new light. With our Bangkok Heritage campaign for conference and incentive travel achievers, and special interest groups, we are looking to support the promotion, preservation and advancement of heritage tourism in Bangkok.

An historic pier dating back to King Rama IV era. The Wang Lee family acquired the riverside trading post in 1919. The present generation of Wang Lee family has restored the building to its former glory. The pier re-opens as a heritage site on 3rd November 2017

There’s lot’s to see and do Bangkok’s heritage story presents may places to visit and activities to engage.

COFFEE CULTURE

While half of this city that never sleeps runs on Red Bull, the other half get their kicks from caffeine. Bangkok is home to so many cafés, coffee houses and roasters, that the choice can be overwhelming. We take you to the best places for morning or afternoon coffee built into a city experience that beats a tour of another temple.

EAT LIKE A LOCAL

Experience what the locals eat, but with the reassurance of spotless hygiene. We take you to a quirky small restaurant, or bring in the chef to a larger venue, to focus on family tradition with a menu of home-cooked recipes, mostly coming from chef ’s late grandmother.

LOCAL DISTILLERY

During a neighbourhood your we visit a gin manufacturing business producing excellent locally produced gin. The beverage is available at many Bangkok venues but the best experience is to make a trip to the distillery for the complete experience.

COMMUNITY CULTURE

Put on your walking shoes as we visit one of Bangkok’s oldest neighbourhoods that was originally settled in 1770 by Portuguese merchants. The surrounding community is one of the last areas in Bangkok where almost all the architecture is wood. Tall two-storey homes house are tight-knit Chinese-Portuguese community, complete with home bakeries serving pastries that hark back to Portugese recipes. Many of the homes bear entry gates emblazoned with medallions of the Virgin Mary and other Catholic symbols.

FOODIE TOUR

A taste bud sensation as we walk to various shop-houses and restaurants sampling some of the finest authentic Bangkok cuisine.

ARTISAN ISLAND

On the outskirts of Bangkok we visit a man made artisan isle known for its skilled pottery craftsmen. Exploring the many shops, restaurants and landmarks is engaging. And if you build up a thirst, we have a unique quencher – Chit Beer, the local Thai craft beer microbrewery.

MUSEUMS. MUSEUMS.

Bangkok National Museum, located in the former grounds of the 18th century Wang Na Palace, houses the largest collection of Thai art and artefacts in the kingdom. The museum was established by King Rama V to exhibit relics from the rule of King Rama IV. Today, exhibits on display cover Thai history back to Neolithic times. And we can take you to more fascinating museums in Bangkok. Turn the page...

MORE MUSEUMS

Khamthieng House Museum at Siam Society, Museum of Contemporary Art, Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles, The Bangkokian Museum, Bangkok Folk Museum, Royal Thai Airforce Museum, Museum of Counterfeit Goods, Prasart Museum, Thai Philatalic Museum, Southeast Asian Ceramics Museum, the Human Body Museum and the Museum of Floral Culture.

HISTORIC HOUSES

Step back in time and visit Vimarnmek Palace - the World’s largest teakwood mansion, Jim Thompson House, Suan Pakkard Palace, M. R. Kukrit Heritage Home, Baan Khamthieng, Chakrabongse Villa, Neilsen Hays Library and Bang Khun Phrom Palace. We can also open doors to private homes to meet their interesting residents who have a story to tell.

And, especially for corporate groups looking to bond, we proudly present...

Bangkok Heritage Challenge.

The ulimate team-building activity engaging teams with Bangkok’s rich history.

Duration: 3 hours.

Timing: Morning or afternoon.

Days: Daily.

Location: Historic sites arouond Bangkok.

Group size: 10 to 500 Objective: Encourage co-operation and build team spirit.

Mood & Tone: Fun. Energy. City Discovery. Out & About. Heritage.

Teaser: One activity has teams decyphering an ancient map of the city to locate a shophouse, meeting a local who has a story to tell and provides a clue to the assignment’s solution and next heritage hot spot.

Includes: English facilitation, admission fees, historic booklet with team instructions and assignments to discover the city’s history and culture. There’s also a Lego moment involving an iconic heritage site and a video challenge.

Arranged by PIGS exclusively for your colleagues or clients, with all team-building materials branded with your client’s event logo.

Bookable through your hotel

Bangkok has a story to tell. From city-centre temples to riverside homes and back street restaurants, to its strong trading, artistic and culinary legacy, Bangkok wears its heritage discreetly, yet proudly.

Discover the soul of the city.

#PIGSDMC #DestinationsWithoutBoundaries aj@pigsdmc.com 66 81 907 1908 pigsdmc.com