Thailand combines the most metropolitan of cities with ageless and unspoiled jungles. For incentives, Bangkok is the natural starting and ending point, in part because the capital city is a must-see, in part because that's where most flights from the U.S. land. A number of incentive-class hotels, such as the Shangri-La, Royal Orchid Sheraton, and Marriott Royal Garden Riverside, cluster on the fabled Chao Prava River, the "river of kings."
Although there's much to see in this bustling city of 11 million, getting around sometimes can take hours, literally, because of clogged traffic. Special events in or near the hotels or river cruises are good ways around a potential problem. Another option is to use a site such as the Rose Garden, nearly 30 miles outside of Bangkok, where you can stage everything from a parade of elephants, a fire-breathing dragon, floating markets, local dances, and Thai boxing.
Outside of Bangkok, the northern cities of Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai are favorites, providing a glimpse into rural life where elephants and water buffalo share the jungle with tribal communities that continue to defy the march of time. Groups can speed along in power boats or laze about on bamboo rafts on the Mekong River where Thailand, Myanmar (Burma), and Laos meet at the Golden Triangle, as well as visit hill tribes, take elephant treks, and view the many ancient temples in the area.
