Thread: Thailand -- Bangkok and Chiang Mai

Hi Chris,

I'm glad you enjoyed the photos. Thanks for your help in looking after the e-mail addresses.

Best Regards,
Mark

Hi,

I understand your concern with Tong's e-mail address (I had the same concern at first), but Pornpitcha is Tong's first name in Thai. The address is legit and I would suggest e-mailing both of her addresses. Most Thai people have a nickname in addition to their longer name in Thai. Tong sometimes does extended tours. The first time I contacted her, she was over in Laos doing a tour for three weeks. She is normally very good about replying. I highly recommend both Tong and Mai (see my posting above) as guides. Both will customize a tour to your needs and visit the places that you want to see.

Bangkok is a very interesting city, but it is also very large and I found it a bit overwhelming at first. It was also my first time to Asia and did not speak the language. It was great once we hired a guide and we learned so much more about the culture from our guides than we ever would have on our own. I think Benjarong also does dinner cruises (see posting above), in addition to their cruises to/from Ayutthaya. Our cruise wasn't cheap, but it was First Class all the way and well worth it. I know the Marriott Resort & Spa also has similar boats that do dinner cruises each evening. The Marriott also gave us a great interline rate for hotel stay.

Have a great trip. If I can answer any other questions, please let me know.
Mark

No problem. I would definitely give a visit to Kanchanaburi Province a thumbs up. We visited there on a Sunday and everything was open. The roads in Thailand are very good, so travel was comfortable in an air conditioned van. It was a full day trip for us leaving the hotel in Bangkok at 6:00am and getting back around 8:30pm. Tong was our guide to Kanchanaburi and she put together a great tour. We first visited a Budhist temple and then the Damnoen Floating Market. Shopping on the boats was a lot of fun. Then we visited the Tiger Temple. Tong was great, telling us just where to stand so that we could walk and be photographed with the tigers. We also got to feed several other animals, including a Sun Bear. After lunch, we took a short ride on the Death Railway, getting to view the River Kwai up close as we crossed the famous Wang Po viaduct. We then visited the Bridge over the River Kwai and one of the cemetaries where mostly British and Dutch prisoners of war are buried. It was a very moving experience and definitely one of the highlights of our trip.

Please take a look at my photos (see posting above), as there are several from Kanchanaburi included. Most of the places that we visited also have web sites that you can Google to learn more information.

If you have an evening free in Bangkok, another place you might enjoy is the Joe Louis Puppet Theater. It was great fun and was definitely a unique experience of Thai culture. We booked our visit through www.orientalescape.com (includes pick up from hotel), but you can also get info at www.thaipuppet.com .

I hope this helps. Please let me know if you have further questions.

Mark

Hi,

Below is an excerpt from an e-mail that Tong sent to me regarding her rates. I think (if I remember correctly) for the day in Kanchanaburi, we ended up paying about US$160 plus the admission fees and lunch. This was for private tour for 2 people. This was very reasonable for the amount of driving that was involved for Kanchanaburi.

For 1/2 day tour of Grand Palace in Bangkok, we paid our other guide about US$30, also for private tour.

Both were very competitive with prices of similar group tours from big tour companies that I looked at on the internet.

I hope this helps. Please let me know if you have further questions.
Mark

Below are the rates of guides in my team and myself;
>>> - 3,000 baht for a full day with Me (Tong) by brandnew air conditioned
>>>Minivan (10 hours). Half day tour is 2,300 baht. Over than 10 hours = 300
>>>baht/an additional hour.
>>>- 3,500 baht for a new large van with a driver and a licensed guide(Me or
>>>guide in my team)(8 hours). Over than 8 hours = 350 baht/an additional hour.
>>>- 4,000 baht for a VIP van with a driver and a licensed guide(Me or guide in
>>>my team)(8 hours). Over than 8 hours = 400 baht/an additional hour.
>>>- Gasoline is included for Bangkok Tour.
>>> - If out of Bangkok, charges more for gasoline on real cost or 3 baht/km.
>>>(the price for gasoline is fluctuant, if it's not too much different, I will
>>>stand on this price)
>>> - This price doesn't include any meal, entrance fee, parking fee,
>>>express way, boat fee if needed.
>>> - This price doesn't charge per person.
>>> - I do a drive for Minivan but sometimes I have a driver with me,
>>>depending on the tour program...there's a driver or not...the price is still
>>>the same...
>>> - I will serve you with my brand-new Minivan. It seats for 7 people
>>>(Asian Size).
>>> - Guide fees at the Grand Palace and other places are included.
>>> - I do the tours in Bangkok, Floating Market and other sightseeings in
>>>the area, Samutsongkram, Nakorn Pathom, Ayutthaya, Kanchanaburi, Pattaya and
>>>Fishing Village. Other places are upon requests.
>>>- Package tour is upon request. Tourists need to do on a program settled in
>>>agreement. (whereas private tour, the program can be adjusted according
>>>to your time, requirement and preference, so entrance or other fees will be
>>>paid by tourists)

As for admission fees in Kanchanaburi..tiger temple is 300 baht/pax. Museum is around 30 -
>>80 baht /pax. There are many museums though.
>> Boat for floating market is 400 baht/1boat. it doesn't charge per person.
>> Riding on the train is 100 baht/pax. Short train is 20 - 50 baht/pax.
>> Expected gasoline cost is around 1,200 - 1,500 baht.