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From an Urban Buzz to a Bucolic Daze: Thai One on from $769 in Bangkok and Beyond

With beauty in cities, mountains, beaches and plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities, Thailand's tourism continues to bustle, a little over a year after the tsunami.

Tragedies, however terrible and destructive they can be, often inadvertently teach us lessons. Planning and preparedness can go a long way when disaster strikes, and in the wake of last year's devastating tsunami, Thailand has recently instituted a National Disaster Warning Center and Tsunami Early Warning System. Resilience -- along with aid and investment, no doubt -- helped Phuket earn the designation as "Best Destination in Southeast Asia" last spring by a travel trade organization. And right now, the Bangkok International Film Festival is showcasing over 100 of the best examples in regional and world cinema. With beauty in cities, mountains, beaches and plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities, Thailand's tourism continues to bustle, a little over a year after the tsunami. For an overview of the country's offerings, events and helpful etiquette tips, visit the Tourism Authority of Thailand (www.tourismthailand.org) before you go.

Friendly Planet (tel. 800/555-5765; www.friendlyplanet.com) is running many trips to the Far East, including this multi-stop excursion "Best of the Orient" to Bangkok, Singapore, Bali and Hong Kong. The 15-day trip is priced from $1799; the sale price reflects a savings of $400 per couple if you reserve by February 28. The price is based on Los Angeles departure on Cathay Pacific Airlines (add on $100 if you are leaving from New York), and includes daily buffet breakfast, English-speaking tour guide, entrance fees, accommodations at deluxe and first-class hotels, all flights, and welcome dinner with entertainment. This trip is packed though -- the only one showing availability is April 24.

Asian Affair Holidays (tel. 800/742-3133; www.asianaffairholidays.com) offers several specials for travel to this part of the world. Their five-night "Singapore and Bangkok" trip is priced from $980, including airfare from either California or New York, and round-trip airport-hotel transfers. The deal is good for travel through March 24 with departures on the weekends from San Francisco or Los Angeles or daily departures from New York. Spend two nights in Singapore and three in Bangkok. If you're interested in a coastal trip and the idea of pumping money back into Phuket's economy appeals to you, check out this Singapore and Phuket special with five nights plus air, priced from $1,080. Depart from San Francisco, Los Angeles, or New York, through March 24. You'll spend two nights in Singapore and three in Phuket at the renovated Bhuri Wing of the Katathani Beach Resort -- all accommodations include daily breakfast.

Thai International Airlines (tel. 800/426-5204; www.thaiair.com) is running a promotion on flights within the country. Purchase a special pass for $169 that allows you to fly economy class to any of Thailand's domestic airports during a period of three months. The sale is valid for travel through December 31, 2006 and all travel must be completed by March 31, 2007. As of May 2005, the airline runs direct flights from New York-JFK.

The airline also offers a special fare for two passengers flying one-way or round-trip from Los Angeles to Bangkok, if you opt for their Royal Silk Class, which gives you extra room to stretch out, rest. Both passengers must be traveling together on the same class of service, valid only on specific outbound flights through March 31. It's not clear what the average fare is on these types of flights. There are other detailed restrictions too numerous and confusing to delineate here; it's wise to call them for more information. You can play with their booking options, but you must contact them to find out how much the flights cost.

For a do-it-yourself kind of exploration, Gate1 (tel. 800/682-3333; www.gate1travel.com) is running a Bangkok trip with Monday departures through September 2005, priced from $699 for seven days. Prices are based on Los Angeles departures; other cities are available for additional cost. Trips in March and April are offered at the $699 cash discount price, and rates climb to $1,249 for travel in June and July. The cost includes airfare, accommodations, airline fuel charges and daily breakfast.

If you really want to a more extensive look at the country, "12-Day Affordable Thailand" starts you off in Bangkok and heads to Phitsanulok, Lampang, Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai. The trip includes eleven meals, sightseeing in an air-conditioned coach, an English-speaking tour escort and is priced from $999 -- the March departure at that price point is already sold out, however. March 19 and 26, are priced at $1,099 (cash discount); there is one departure on April 26 ($1,139) and May 21 ($1,229).

Djoser (tel. 877/356-7376; www.djoserusa.com), which bills itself as "the other way to travel," is running a "Thailand Special: 10 Days $1,195," priced from Los Angeles and $1,295 from New York, for March 31, April 13 and May 4 departures. Included are trips to Bangkok, the River Kwai (a stay at the Floating Hotel) Chiang Mai, and Ayutthaya, seven nights of accommodations, daily breakfast, seven nights' accommodations, two dinners and one overnight train ride. The company even suggests budgeting about $250 for other meals and entry fees.

Every month, Cathay Pacific Airlines (tel. 800/233-2742; www.cathaypacific.com) offers a new deal and February's "Sweetheart Fares" are priced from $674 for Los Angeles, New York or San Francisco departures to a number of Asian destinations, including Bangkok. These economy class, round-trip prices don't include tax, and they're valid for outbound travel through March 31, with a February 28 booking deadline, based on availability.

Go Today (tel. 800/227-3235; www.go-today.com) is running a dizzying array of trips to Thailand. If you are interested strictly in an urban experience, the Bangkok special, priced from $769 plus tax for five nights, air inclusive, from Los Angeles. It's valid for travel until March 31; after that, the price jumps to $949 for travel April 1¿June 5 and to $1,129 for June 6¿30. Other departure cities are of course available for additional fees. Hotel taxes and services charges, daily breakfast, and all transfers are included. The purchase deadline is April 6.

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