To celebrate Mother’s Day, the Tourism Authority of Thailand in Pattaya (038-428-393, 038-427-667) is running a Selfie with Mom in Pattaya campaign throughout August, offering free entrance to Pattaya attractions like the Dolphin Show (normally B300), Suan Nongnuch (B200) and The Underwater World (B250). The rule is simple: post a selfie of you and your mom or a family selfie on the Facebook fan page or Instagram page of the TAT Pattaya (www.facebook.com/tatpattaya, IG: TATPATTAYA), then take a receipt totaling at least B1,500 from a hotel or restaurant in Pattaya to present at the TAT Pattaya office on Phra Tamnak Road. Read our latest guide to the coastal city’s watery attractions and fine-dining options. 

Birthday Holiday

The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) is offering a series of special day trips by steam train throughout 2014. The next trip is set for Aug 12, Mother’s Day, which will take you from Bangkok’s Hua Lamphong station to Nakhon Pathom province. There are four routes on offer at B999. The first one will take you to visit Phra Pathom Chedi, Sampran Elephant Ground & Zoo and Sanam Chandra Palace. The second route is a three-province tour to Samut Songkram, Ratchaburi and Nakhon Pathom. The third is a steam train trip to Nakhon Pathom, which lets you get on a boat in Nabua at Mahasawat Canal, followed by a visit to Sanam Chandra Palace and Donwai Market. The fourth route is a visit to Siam Cultural Park and The Blooms Orchid Park in Ratchaburi province. Details at www.railway.co.th, 02-621-8701 or 1690. See also: 5 top day trips by train from Bangkok.