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Old Dec 9, 2011 | 6:12 am
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Three days in BKK

Wife and I have 3days in Bangkok in January, suggestions for sites, tours. Etc?

We are staying at Lebua. We are middle aged, like history, cuisine, and experiencing different cultures.

Appreciate any suggestions for must sees.

Thanks
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Old Dec 9, 2011 | 11:55 am
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Wife and planning on following for our 4 days in Bangkok:

Bangkok City and Temple Tour

Ayuttya Day trip

Chao Phyra River Cruise

Floating Market and Wat Arun.

The question to folks here is whether we should purchase this before we start our trip or do you think we will be able to find these tours for cheaper once we are there?
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Old Dec 10, 2011 | 7:06 pm
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Until the city dries out, the water supply is secured, food chain restored,etc. I'd stay away unless essential travel is required. I've got a 48 hr biz trip in middle Jan; normally would stay extra 24-48 hrs to enjoy the food and people but this time going to parachute in and get out asap.
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Old Dec 11, 2011 | 12:20 am
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OP, those all sound like good ideas for a brief visit.

IME, if you can handle the transportation around the city yourself (and it's easy if you're able to use BTS, the Chao Praya Express river ferries, etc.), you can definitely save over pre-arranged tours of the various attractions. Consider the Grand Palace, which you can visit for a B300 entry fee + under B20 getting there if you stick to public transportation ... vs. likely B2500 or more for the same via a hotel-arranged tour.


Originally Posted by dtsm
Until the city dries out, the water supply is secured, food chain restored,etc. I'd stay away unless essential travel is required. I've got a 48 hr biz trip in middle Jan; normally would stay extra 24-48 hrs to enjoy the food and people but this time going to parachute in and get out asap.
Eh, I was just there this week, and though things aren't entirely normal yet, I think staying away would be bad advice. No reason to avoid BKK if you ask me.
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Old Dec 11, 2011 | 2:50 am
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Originally Posted by dtsm
Until the city dries out, the water supply is secured, food chain restored,etc. I'd stay away unless essential travel is required. I've got a 48 hr biz trip in middle Jan; normally would stay extra 24-48 hrs to enjoy the food and people but this time going to parachute in and get out asap.
Not sure where you've been recently but Bangkok is operating normally.

Other than a few 7-11s in Yaowarat I've noticed no empty shelves. Vendors never left and markets are open. Do what you want but if you're going to give advice at least base it upon reality.
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Old Dec 12, 2011 | 8:57 am
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Originally Posted by dsquared37
Not sure where you've been recently but Bangkok is operating normally.

Other than a few 7-11s in Yaowarat I've noticed no empty shelves. Vendors never left and markets are open. Do what you want but if you're going to give advice at least base it upon reality.
i resent the tone of your post...there is no intent to misinform anyone.

My colleague/boss, a Thai national who has extended family in Bkk just returned from 10 day trip. Normally she and her family return to Bkk for Christmas but for the reasons I posted earlier, decided not to visit this time. That was the basis of my 'bad advice'.
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Old Dec 12, 2011 | 5:11 pm
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Originally Posted by dtsm
i resent the tone of your post...there is no intent to misinform anyone.

My colleague/boss, a Thai national who has extended family in Bkk just returned from 10 day trip. Normally she and her family return to Bkk for Christmas but for the reasons I posted earlier, decided not to visit this time. That was the basis of my 'bad advice'.
Resent away if you like.

The fact is Bangkok proper is fine. There are little to no water or food shortages in any location where tourists would wander.
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Old Dec 12, 2011 | 7:21 pm
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Originally Posted by exerda
OP, those all sound like good ideas for a brief visit.

IME, if you can handle the transportation around the city yourself (and it's easy if you're able to use BTS, the Chao Praya Express river ferries, etc.), you can definitely save over pre-arranged tours of the various attractions. Consider the Grand Palace, which you can visit for a B300 entry fee + under B20 getting there if you stick to public transportation ... vs. likely B2500 or more for the same via a hotel-arranged tour.
I thought English speaking guides might enhance the experience of the history and architecture at a place like the Grand palace. The tour we are looking at for the Grand Palace is THB800/person...i.e. significantly higher than the THB300. The only concern I have is the e-mail replies of the tour operators has poor english!! Thoughts?
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Old Dec 13, 2011 | 8:04 am
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Originally Posted by vakilp
I thought English speaking guides might enhance the experience of the history and architecture at a place like the Grand palace. The tour we are looking at for the Grand Palace is THB800/person...i.e. significantly higher than the THB300. The only concern I have is the e-mail replies of the tour operators has poor english!! Thoughts?

Entry is 400 THB.
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Old Dec 13, 2011 | 4:19 pm
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Originally Posted by vakilp
I thought English speaking guides might enhance the experience of the history and architecture at a place like the Grand palace. The tour we are looking at for the Grand Palace is THB800/person...i.e. significantly higher than the THB300. The only concern I have is the e-mail replies of the tour operators has poor english!! Thoughts?
I believe there was a stand inside the Wat Phra Kaew grounds where one could join a free walk with an English-speaking guide. I just went with the English brochure they give with the ticket purchase and had no problems; I did catch a portion of one of the guided walks as they went past the model of Angkor Wat, and said uniformed guide's English sounded fairly good to me.


Originally Posted by dsquared37
Entry is 400 THB.
It was 300 when I was there last Friday.
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Old Dec 13, 2011 | 5:42 pm
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Originally Posted by exerda




It was 300 when I was there last Friday.
It was 400 on Dec 4.... So I stayed outside while some family went it.
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Old Dec 16, 2011 | 10:08 pm
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In Bangkok Now

I'm in Bangkok now and have been for the past week. The floods did not affect the south of bangkok. All the places you want to see and visit were not affected. The weather is perfect and its a nice place to be. See the grand palace and emerald Budha. The price was 400 Baht per person plus we spent another 400 Baht for a guide for the four of us. The guide was well worth it. Also see Wat Po, Pat Pong, and Kho San Road. Bangkok is a lot of fun and there is no reason to put it off.
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Old Dec 18, 2011 | 11:58 pm
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Originally Posted by dsquared37
Resent away if you like.

The fact is Bangkok proper is fine. There are little to no water or food shortages in any location where tourists would wander.
+1. I was here during the worst of the flooding, then returned again and am just finishing up a 17 night stay, leaving for BOS tonight. Come. You'll probably notice nothing flood-related other than small masonry barriers in front of some shops which have been slow to remove them. Mo Chit area and Chatuchak are now dry and operating normally.
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Old Dec 19, 2011 | 9:46 pm
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Originally Posted by Dr. HFH
+1. I was here during the worst of the flooding, then returned again and am just finishing up a 17 night stay, leaving for BOS tonight. Come. You'll probably notice nothing flood-related other than small masonry barriers in front of some shops which have been slow to remove them. Mo Chit area and Chatuchak are now dry and operating normally.
Well, River City did have "Christmas trees" made of piled up sandbags out front.

I second/third the reports of no issues in tourist areas. I saw stands of sandbags in many areas I visited a week ago, but otherwise no issues (restaurants & hotels had food & water, etc.).
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Old Dec 20, 2011 | 8:32 pm
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Just flew into bkk yesterday noon time for 24 hrbiz mtg, dinner at L'Opera off soi 33. they were out of diet cokes due to recent floods
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