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| Thinking of taking the kids to Thailand? We've got a mess of ideas |
for you
| You don't have to go to Disney World to give the children a |
| treat. You can do it in Thailand for a 10th of the price. |
| My impression of the country had always been of a haven for |
| backpackers, cheap hotels, leisurely days on the beach and bar- |
| hopping by night. Bangkok, the capital and largest city with a |
| registered population of 8 million, conjured up visions of seedy |
| streets, go-go bars, massage parlors and karaoke clubs. Not a |
| destination for a family vacation. |
| Boy, was I wrong. |
| While the bars and clubs I had envisioned are indeed a part of |
Bangkok life, there is so much more to see and do.
The shopping malls are world class, and the recently- opened Siam Paragon on Sukhumvit Road in the city center is one of the largest and most luxurious in Asia.
The Paragon boasts a vast array of restaurants and shops where patrons can buy electronics, beauty products, local Thai merchandise, the latest fashions and more.
| On the lower level is Siam Ocean World, an aquarium that |
| includes 30,000 creatures from 400 species around the world. The |
main oceanarium has an acrylic ocean tunnel, touch pools for children, a panoramic fish bowl with 360- degree view, a 4-D theater, a rain forest area and a huge eight-meter-deep coral reef.
| Children will also get a kick out of daily performances that |
| include a live mermaid show and Aquatoon stage show, as well as |
| fish and penguin feedings throughout the day. |
Siam Ocean World is open daily from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Entrance fees are minimal and include all the shows.
| Another family-friendly spot is Safari World - The World of |
| Happiness, which offers many attractions in addition to the |
| hundreds of animals on display from all over the world. Enjoy a |
| cruise ride through the jungles of Africa and Asia, featuring the |
| most advanced animatronics and special effects. |
| There are seven daily shows, including a white tiger show, spy |
| war action stunt show, sea lion show, orangutan boxing and more. |
| You can drive your own car or ride in one of the park's luxury |
| coaches. The park is open daily... |