Thank you for all the info.

@goodeats21 - I did consider Tong but they feel very commercialized (maybe that's a good thing). I am going to go with Jan who is also recommended on tripadvisor and who has been pretty responsive to my questions.

@jiejie - While I have traveled widely, and have been to Thailand before as a young student, I feel this time, specially with my wife and I going for the first time as a couple and no longer needing to be as cheap as possible, it would be worth it to invest in a guide who would help cut down on the touts, help with transportation and in general just assist us with our desired itinerary.

@dsquared37 - is you are in bangkok, would be happy to buy you a drink.
@glennaa11 - thank you for letting me know about Phil, I may contact him for next time or we we don't feel comfortable with our current guide.

Again, thank you and I will be looking for places to eat at, traditional massages to get, the whole touristy thing I suppose now