Bangkok--10 Oct--Marriott Have you ever touched an authentic Thai lifestyle along River of Kings? If not, we would like to bring you to the most exclusively designed trip by Manohra Cruises. Experience Manohra cruises, the most beautiful rice barges that has been carefully restored and lavishly converted into an ultimate-luxurious river cruise on the River of Kings. The Manohra Song, dubbed ‘The Orient Express of the River’, is a 20-meter-long rice barge that has been carefully restored and lavishly converted into an ultra-deluxe river cruiser, designed for up to four couples to explore Thailand’s famous Menam Chao Phraya in style and comfort. Built upon the original 100-year-old solid teak hull, Manohra Song features four air-conditioned staterooms with queen-size beds, ensuite bathrooms, an expansive lounge and dining area with a full bar and a separate sun-deck. Private crew quarters and the kitchen located in the aft section of the vessel. The creative design for Manohra Song was conceptualised by interiors specialist Kathleen Heinecke who used warm teak, padua and mahogany woods throughout the vessel. Custom-designed furniture covered with colorful Thai silks and cottons, oriental rugs, Thai and Southeast Asian art, sculpture and artifacts complete distinctive design. A number of the accessories were sourced from the arts and crafts people making a living along the rivers and klongs (canals) of Thailand, as well as in more remote and rural areas. “Some of these crafts are quite sophisticated and fine, while others are more folk items or things that have been used by the Thai people for generations,” Heinecke explains. “We also wanted to reflect and recreate in a small way, some of the many early European influences that were embraced and encouraged by King Rama V. Many of these resulted in a good marriage of the styles of the time, both Thai and foreign, mixing local carving expertise with sumptuous fabrics,” she added. There are many examples of this integration of styles throughout the Manohra Song’s interior but a less obvious illustration of the master craftsmen of Thailand is the actual construction of the boat itself. Much of it was carried out in the same manner in which it has been done for centuries - using mostly a sharp eye and patience with simple tools in very experienced hands - skills that have been passed down from father to son. The Chao Phraya itself offers a never-ending vista of river life; log-rafts, barges, long-tail boats, houses, palaces, and wats (temples); and above all the friendly, happy people who are never too busy to wave at visitors cruising the waterways. Manohra Song offers a variety of established cruises including the regularly scheduled two-night/three-day Ayutthaya Adventure. Manohra Song is staffed by an experienced and attentive crew of four and also is available for private charters and customised cruises. Departs every Monday and Thursday from the Manohra Cruises pier located on the riverfront of the Bangkok Marriott Resort & Spa. Special arrangements can be made for alternate pick-up and drop off points. Single occupancy THB 37,900 ++ per cabin Double occupancy THB 50,640++ per cabin Private Charter THB 202,600++ (1-8 passengers) All price are subject to 10% service charge and 7% applicable government taxes. **Noted one US$ approx 34 Baht*** Winner of the 2005 Best Asean New Tourist Attraction Award from the Asean Tourism Association, Manohra Cruises offers the discerning traveller an intimate river cruise in a distinctively Thai setting. For all enquiries and bookings, please call + 66 2 477 0770, email [email protected] or visit www.manohracruises.com.