Two weeks in Thailand... What to do?
 

Hey everyone... Let me start by saying that I have read some absolutely fantastic posts over here, concerning travelling to Thailand and I think I've got a good start on restaurants, tailors, temples, etc. But I think I am looking for some real in-depth ideas of what we can accomplish during our trip.

Here's the details:

We're going on our honeymoon from May 21 - June 6, 2007. We will be staying at the Marriott Bangkok Resort and Spa for the first 7 days and then we're heading out to the Renaissance Koh Samui for the final 7 days (I used my rewards points for the honeymoon).

I do have one quick question. I am trying to decipher Thailand/Bangkok addresses. The address to the hotel is:

257 Charoennakorn Road,
Samrae Thonburi
Bangkok, 10600 Thailand

What does Samrae Thonburi refer to? Is that a specific area of Bangkok?

So, here's what I would really appreciate:

1. What places should we ABSOLUTELY visit (romantic spots are always a plus, but we prefer the historical, religious/temples as well). I hear the floating market is a MUST DO!

2. Restaurants? There is a topic with awesome restaurants so we will certainly choose many of those. But we DEFINITELY want authentic thai food (do we have any concerns as we are "western" eaters and may not be used to the local cuisine?). My finace and I love thai food ^

3. Transportation. I have read about the tuk-tuks and cabs (I noticed that requesting the meter is very important), but what if we want a "personal" driver/chauffer for the day? The public transportation seems pretty easy as well.

4. Tour guides. Any way of getting a personalized tour guide while we are there? Recommendations?

Lastly, I noticed there is a lot of information on what to do in Bangkok, but if you have any suggestions for Koh Samui, please share :)

Sorry for the long post, but we are so excited, nervous and absolutely looking forward to our trip/honeymoon.

Thank you all for the wealth of information so far, I'm looking forward to the additional information.

i am sure other readers will give you lot more details. to me in thailand seafood and spa are must for my leisure visits. enjoy.

Remember not to say anything negative about the King.

Don't go to any Ping Pong shows unless you're very open minded. :)

Remember that central and southern Thailand is quite hot and steamy, bring appropriate clothing. Traffic is pretty horrid most of the time. The subway and Skytrain are pretty good, but the latter is a bit crowded, but not uncomfortable.

I personally don't find Bangkok that attractive as a honeymoon destination. Remember it's a huge city, with tons of pollution and traffic. Walk next to a Klong (canal) and you'll see what I mean. I recall some famous actor or singer whose car crashed into a Klong and I think he almost died from bacterial infection from the water.

If you stay in your luxury hotel, I'm sure it will be nice. I personally like the real, gritty city, so going to the Weekend Market (Chatuchak), Chinatown or more local Thai places don't bother me.

We are returning to Bangkok this December for our TENTH time.The thing(s) that keep us returning year after year are:
The people, stay calm and always smile even if you're angry inside and you'll have no problems.
The excellent food(and drink) it's so cheap if you know where to look.
The shopping.
The floating market at Damnoen Saduak is very touristy but more fun than the "real ones" around Bangkok. The first time in Bangkok we stayed at the Marriott (2 nights on route to Hua Hin) it's a bit far out but taxis are really cheap.A Tuk Tuk ride is a must once. We love to barter on the night markets(Patpong) stop for a beer and some food then barter some more. We only found Suan Lum night bazaar 2 or 3 visits ago but love it, there are strong rumours that it will be closing down end of April to make way for another shopping mall
There are lots of very good web sites to help you get a feel for what Bangkok has to offer.
As for your Q's we have never had any problems with the food some can be very very hot but the staff or menu will guide you.
Samui is a beautiful island,one of my favourite destinations in the world!
Lots of good beaches,Temples small market in Chaweng. We hired a driver+car for about 6 hours and he took us round the island to Temples,Big Bhuda sights etc finishing at his house where we drank beer in his "orchard" cost us 1500bht with good tip. Good luck

Chewie, if this is your very first time here, you might need ALOT of guidance...

although Ive never used their services, you might look at BangkokHoneyMoon.com and HoneyMoonSamui.com

lots of good ideas (even if you dont use them), and packages....which seems like a good match for your needs ^

everything seems customizable based on your tastes and interests...

Hi SuanLum :) (your name means Lumpini (birthplace of the Lord Buddha) Park in Thai just in case you dont know ;) )

yes, it appears to be true... the Night Bazaar lease expires in April 2007....the landlord (the Crown Bureau) has entertained bids for a long term lease of the land and it appears that Central (of the Central Dept store group) has won and will develop a multi-functional project there.....

Trajan,
thanks for the confirmation, it's really sad . Can you suggest an alternative? we're staying Sukhumvit for the first time this year(Soi 5) done Patpong many times,What's Kao San road like at night?(I know it's not near Sukhumvit but looking for something new. One thing I forgot when replying to chewie was that one attraction of Bangkok is that every time we go we find something new.

You're going to be in Thonburi, across the river from "downtown" Bangkok.

well I guess it depends on what you like....Khao San might be interesting for you if youve never seen it....LOT of younger (and young at heart) backpack/funky/laid back/Koh Phangnan "Full Moon" party types from ALL over the world congregate there..lots of different cafes, beer gardens, bars, little shops, street food, etc. Khaosan Road

for ideas on nightlife, clubs, etc. Bangkok2night

2000 seat SIAM NIRAMIT THEATRE website is wonderful!! free shuttles available from Thailand Cultural Center subway station exit 1.

SIAM OCEAN WORLD website at the new SIAM PARAGON website is very nice :)

see Nancy Chandler's Maps for other great ideas!! ^

yeah, it just means the area on the far side (left bank?) of the river....the Hilton Millenium, and the Peninsula Hotel is also on that side of the river (on the river bank)....the Marriott Bangkok Resort is also on the banks of the river...that resort has a lovely converted rice barge that makes for a nice dinner cruise... :)

Trajan, thanks again, people watching with good food and drink plus some shopping for "her who shall be obeyed" We are mid to late 50's but ageism in the workplace was made illegal in the UK effective today(for real) so sounds like it's worth a visit. We can always call into Suan Lum on the way back.

Khao San Road is somewhat less than it's made out to be in my opinion. It's a magnet for young people, some of whom are pretty freaky looking, and it's kind of fun to sit and have a beer there for a couple hours and watch the parade, but that's the limit.

But not far away, down Khao San toward the Wat, then turn right on the main street and just across the bridge over the khlong (canal), is a narrow little bar called "Ad Here the 13th." (13 Samsen Road, Banglamphu, tel: 09 769-4613 to reserve a table). Every night there, a fat little Thai woman who goes under the name of Georgia sings blues-rock with her Georgia Blues Band. (Get her to do her versions of "Satisfaction" and "Me & Bobby McGee.") Georgia will blow you away, and it's quite a scene, with a mingling of Thai music aficianados, students and backpackers.

To hear Thai music, the genre of Thai pop music called Luk Thung, which fits in where country music does in our culture (but doesn't sound at all like country music) and Mor Lam, sort of northeastern Thai folk-rap, take a taxi to Tawan Daeng , a kind of big music hall/restaurant at 484 Pattanakarn Road. (This is not the Tawandaeng German Brewery, which is also worth a visit.) The music is a matter of taste (I like it a lot) but the people-watching is superb.

Ask at your hotel desk if they know of any Ngan Wat going on while you're there. A Ngan Wat is an annual temple fair and it's a great party/fun-fair/carnival for the temple's neighbourhood, in Bangkok often including professional-level musical performances. If you're lucky you can see Christy Gibson and Jonas Anderson (Europeans who perform Luk Thung) or the beautiful young singer Tai Orrathai. There are also midway-type games and rides and lots of food treats (including edible insects if you're really really brave).

billp,
thanks for the info, sounds like KSR is worth a visit one night when we're there this time.Will think about your other suggestions.
Apart from Suan Lum and Patpong can anyone suggest any night markets where we can amuse ourselves after dark?

Check out this article for some authentic recommendations: http://travel2.nytimes.com/2005/10/1...g/12bang.html?

Have a look at the fodors forum, you'll get plenty of ideas on there for restaurants and things to do, as well as a couple of well recommended guides - Tong and Julies Taxi spring to mind

Yes, it is a specific area.
Thonburi is the West side of the river, and it is the "wrong" side of the river.
"Wrong" as in wrong side of the tracks.
There is nothing over there, except a few hotels.
Your hotel is a very fine hotel, just in a not so fine area.

There is absolutely nothing on the Thonburi side to do or see.
You'll need to take a ferry boat across the river for anything outside of your hotel.
The ferry leaves from directly in front of the hotel and is quick and free.
Nothing wrong with that, but just be prepared:
You won't be able to walk out the front door and go for a pleasant evening stroll.
Well, you will be able to, but I'll bet you won't want to.

Avoid tuk-tuks at all costs.
Tuk-tuks look like golf-carts, with a single seat for the driver in front, and a wider seat for passengers behind.
They are unsafe, wide open to rain, tire spray from passing cars and trucks, and all the filth and pollution of really dirty streets in Bangkok.
If that's not enough, Tuk-Tuk drivers are mainly scammers and touts for commission shops.
I've lived in Bangkok for over two years, and I've NEVER taken a Tuk-Tuk here.

For a personal driver, your hotel will have a transportation desk with cars, vans, and drivers available.
The prices at the hotel transportation desk will be very high, but the quality of the cars and drivers will be excellent.
And the service will be convenient -- right at your front door.

If you want to save money, find a travel agency very close to your hotel and ask them to arrange a car and driver for you.
The rates from a local travel agency will probably be half of what the hotel will charge.
The quality of car and driver will be unsure.

Yes, but for most visitors, there's no need.
Your hotel will have a tour desk with a big selection of tours: from the Royal Palace and the famous Buddhist temples to romantic dinner cruises on the river and out-of-town trips to visit ruins of the ancient capital.
I've found the hotel tour desks consistently offer quality tours at reasonable prices.

If do you want a personal guide, ask at your hotel tour desk (NOT the transportation desk), or find a travel agency very close to your hotel and ask them to arrange a private tour guide for you.

If you have specific questions you are welcome to send me email or a private message.

-- Peter

I would amend this to saying, "Avoid tuk-tuks in Bangkok." In Bangkok most tuk-tuks are overpriced tourist scams. In Chiang Mai, however, tuk-tuks are simply one method of transportation, usually reasonably priced, and a convenient way of traveling shorter distances. (The deisel fumes make longer trips rather unpleasant.) Right after the SkyTrain and subway, metered taxis are my preferred method for traveling within Bangkok.

...Rampo's comments trump my previous post on this thread.
I wish to second his comments above.
Good advice.

-- Peter

Thanks for the updates Peter! I'll definitely be sending some ???'s your way!

Too bad the immediate area around the hotel "sucks", but I am sure we'll enjoy all the other areas on the other side of the river and come back to the hotel at the end of each evening.

How late do the river boat taxis run? Is it a 24 hour service?

And of course, if there is anything you feel we MUST see while in Bangkok, please pass it along.

Thanks again!

- Marc

I'm sorry, but this is just not true. For one thing, Wat Arun, the stunning iconic temple which appears on Thai coins and many of the country's symbols, is on the Thonburi side. For another, that's the side of the river where Supatra River House is located, one of the great places to eat high end Thai food and see real dance performances.

Also, if someone is the least bit adventurous, it's very rewarding to charter a longtail to take you on the khlongs (canals) of Thonburi for a few hours. It's an ancient part of Bangkok where the traditional life on and beside the water is still very much in evidence. Much more interesting than the tourist-trap floating market at Damnoen Saduak that everybody is dying to see.

Thonburi is also where Wang Wian Yai Station is located where you can catch the little train to Mahachai, one of my favourite excursions. It's also the location of the Southern Bus Terminal as well as Thonburi station where you get the train to Kanchanaburi.

I've been to wonderful temple fairs (ngan wat) in Thonburi which are far more exotic than the fairs in central Bangkok, but with first class musical entertainment. The Shed of the Royal Barges is in Thonburi, the Museum of Forensic Medicine, Patravadi Theatre (one of Thailand's most important venues for performing arts)... I could go on. Yes, it's not Bangkok's top tourist attraction area, but to say that it's totally devoid of interest is simply incorrect.

As mentioned credibly elsewhere in this forum, the tours are inexpensive because the guides are paid only from the commissions they receive from bringing you to the jewelry factory or the "government store" (there IS no "government store"). Bangkok is easy to get around. There are huge numbers of cheap air conditioned taxis everywhere (just get them to use their metres and don't accept any flat rates). There's the Skytrain (BTS) and subway (MRT). There's a great river boat and canal boat system you only need a half decent map to access. If you get stuck up a back soi (alleyway) there are even ubiquitous motorcycle taxis which cost pennies to get you from point A to point B where you can get a real taxi to take you to all the other points. You really don't need a car and driver. The only thing you might need a guide for is an intelligent explanation of the historical temples and palaces. But a good guide book will fill the same function and won't try to drag you to a tailor shop.

The cross-river ferries finish about sunset; the Chao Phraya Express service up and down the river stops a bit later. Your hotel's boat service may even run a bit later than that. But you can always grab a taxi which will take you back to your hotel via one of the bridges. The cost from just about anywhere in Central Bangkok is around 100 Baht (about $2.50).

Your hotel is located right next to a major bridge, the Krung Thep Bridge. So transportation is not a problem.

A bit of good counsel...
 

though it may sound more like "cold water." I almost think should do a private post to the OP, but:
DO NOT, as in NEVER, EVER, accept guidance from a passerby who spots you as a tourist with a map. IF you do, you may end up being told the Wat (or whatever you're thinking of visiting) is closed today, but there is another nearby, and, oh, there's a jewelry sale on ending today, I can get you there and you can shop with a discount. etc. etc.
Knowing that some of the finest gemstones in the world will be available--and Thai gold jewelry is legendary--you might be tempted, especially on your honeymoon. But leave jewelry recommendations to your hotel concierge.
If you doubt any of this, please do a google search using the terms "Bangkok jewelry scam." 'nuf said, escept to add, congratulations and very best wishes. ^

Ms. ClipperJCM and I just got back from a few days in Thailand... spent three nights at the Marriott and the balance in Chiang Mai and Pattaya. With regard to transportation, I'll echo the comment about taxis that others have said here: we used them regularly, and rarely (if ever) paid more than US$2.00 on any single ride. Always demand that the driver use the meter -- and if he doesn't, simply insist on a price that you consider fair and put that much in his hand as you walk out the door.

We used tuk-tuks fairly regularly in Chiang Mai, which is both smaller and less congested than Bangkok. Did so once in Bangkok, and found the ride to/from the Marriott was far too long for comfort.

As far as tourist attractions: I think the tour books generally do a good job outlining the standard assembly of temples and cultural sites you'll want to hit. As others have said, Bangkok really is a busy, congested city. Seven days there may not strike you as particularly restful... unless you spend two or three of them camped out at the Marriott's pool (which some people clearly do).

Good luck and have a great trip.

Great stuff everyone, thanks!

We have no problem seeing as much as possible in the first 7 days. We would love to ride the elephants, see the temples, eat awesome food! Yup, we want to see the floating market as well. We're also going to be seeking some romantic areas to see!

We'd like to get some suits, dresses, clothing, whatever (she's a shopper and I'll tag along just to get some custom shirts and suits).

We've got plenty of time to relax during our second week in Koh Samui.

Hey, I'm sure that whatever it is that Thailand and Bangkok has to offer us will be amazing and a trip of a lifetime.

We DEFINITELY appreciate all of the "heads up" we're getting from everyone. You'll absolutely be reading a trip report from this two week trip (I know, you'll have to wait until June).

In the meantime, please keep it coming.

Dcutcher is right on target.
Thank you for posting this.
It can not be repeated too often.

In Thai culture, it is simply NOT polite to approach strangers in public and start a conversation, without a legitimate reason.

If any Thai in Bangkok approaches you in a public place, speaking English, nicely dressed, probably in white shirt and tie, and asking innocuous questions like, "Where are you going?", "Where are you from?", "What have you seen in Thailand?", "Do you want a taxi?", they are working a scam to separate you from you money, by any means possible, fair or foul.

Your best action?
Simply ignore them as if they don't exist.
Look beyond them, not at them.
Don't answer questions or say anything at all.
Simply walk away.
If they follow you, walk into the nearest up-scale hotel, or nice shop, or get into a taxi that is passing by.
Whatever you do, do NOT get into their car, or a taxi/tuk-tuk they select.
Don't let them follow you into a restaurant or offer you any food or drink.
That is how they try to construct a chain of obligation and lure you into their scam.

This approach is very common in Bangkok.

-- Peter
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Good warning from Billp for all travellers to Bangkok.
Especially for those staying at hotels on the river, and who will use the public river ferries for transportation.

It has happened to me, and I've seen others stranded, too:
We took a river boat to some location, had dinner, and then walked back to the dock expecting to return by ferry.
But the boats had all stopped for the night.

However, while waiting at the dock -- as yet unaware that the ferry service had finished for the day -- a "pirate boat" pulled up and asked several people standing there where we wanted to go.
I didn't like the looks of the boat, the boat driver, or his crew.
He said, "Private Taxi Boat", but "pirate boat" is my term, because once you boarded that boat, the fare might be adjusted upward in mid-stream. :(

I did not chance that, but walked back out to the street where ordinary taxis were waiting.
Taxi drivers know when the river boats stop running, and several were waiting just outside the landing.
With good luck, I got a taxi driver who put the meter on without any fuss.

Now, I'll remember: public river ferries stop running when the sun goes down.

-- Peter
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I would amend that to say, simply, always demand that the driver use the metre. If he doesn't just get out and find another taxi. It's rare that you have any trouble finding a cab in Bangkok at any hour of the day or night. (Except at a major BTS terminus during a rainstorm. :( )

Better yet, get out and hail the next cab, they're rarely at a premium.

Once of the first questions the scam touts like to ask you is "how long have you been in Thailand?" Answering "three years" usually shuts 'em up pretty quickly. (Especially if you do it in Thai, but that's a little more demanding.)

One more thing: the water taxi guys like to tell tourists that the Chao Phraya Express has stopped running/is not running on that day, all with an eye to getting you on their own boat. If the sun is up, they're feeding you a line, so just look where the locals line up (the pier will have signage in English too) and follow them. Don't get discouraged if you see an express boat barrel past -- the ones with flags are commuter express services and don't stop at the touristy piers near the temples.

If you want the touts to leave you alone, just say "Mai ao khrap" (Or "Mai ao ka" if you're a woman). Pronounced Mye (rhymes with "rye") ow (rhymes with "wow") c'ap (like "cup"). The "ka" in the female version is a falling tone like "kaaa." Leave off the khrap/ka to show displeasure. "Mai ao!" This is the most important phrase you could learn in Thai. It's polite but definite. Get your desk clerk to teach you to pronounce it.

Taxi's
 

There are two taxi's that I prefer when in Bangkok. #1 is the Blue/Red colored ones, the other the Green/Yellow. Even though their vehicles are sometimes not sparkling new, they won't try the ripoffs (well, not as often as the others). This last trip, I got one of the purplish metallic ones, that each time would ask where you were going. I was always going just a few kilometers, and refused to take me. I think they were just looking for long trips. So they're on the no fly list for me. :)

About taxis ...

Don't take the taxis that wait outside your hotel (scammers). Go wave down a moving taxi on the street. Take a business card of the hotel. It will have hotel directions in Thai that you can show the taxi driver. Many taxi drivers have limited English.

Use the BTS (Skytrain) and MTS (Subway) to avoid the infamous Bangkok traffic. Many attractions are near the stations.

Don't be scared to try the sidewalk food vendors.

Um... no. Green/yellow cabs are owner-operated, so they run the gamut, but definitely have the highest risk of totally shot cabs (I've had water leaking through the roof on me and drain out through the holes in the floor!) and rip-offs, because there's nobody to maintain standards. Red/blue and all the other colors are rented to drivers by taxi companies, which maintain them to certain minimum standards and can fire the cabbies if they get too many complaints.

First off, Peter4, welcome to FlyerTalk. In a very short period of time you have proven yourself to be a very active poster, primarily on the subject of Thailand, and Bangkok in particular.

Many of Peter4's comments have been quite good, though some have been a bit wide of the mark. The notion that there is absolutely nothing to do in Thonburi and that it is the "wrong side of the tracks" is one example. Some of the points Peter4 made in that post were good (such as there not being much to do when you walk out of your hotel onto Charoennakorn Road), but others were just not right. billp ably corrected that one. That post was one example of sweeping generalizations that, despite Peter4's two-year residency in Bangkok, seem less than fully informed, vaguely prejudicial, and generally negative.

The incessant warnings about scamsters in Thailand by Peter4 and others is rather over the top. I've certainly been scammed or the target of scamsters far more often in New York than in Bangkok. Welcome to life in the big city, kids. Now, seriously: we all know tour guides have their ways to make money and can earn commissions from shops along the way-- that's true whether you're in Bangkok, Bali, Cartegena, Paris, or any number of other places. Tuk-tuk drivers make money by charging farang Western prices for transport, when an air-con taxi would be far cheaper (if you're smart and insist on the meter). Driving a tuk-tuk is pretty nasty work worth some compensation for the drivers. But riding in one can be a lot of fun-- it should be done, for the experience, at least once. Just be sure to negotiate a fair price for the ride, keeping in mind that market prices for transport are generally low in Thailand. If you can get from Siam Square to Suvarnabhumi in an air-con taxi with baggage for 230 baht plus tolls, then 400 baht for a tuk-tuk ride from Chatuchak Weekend Market to Sukhumvit is crazy--tell the driver to get lost and get yourself on the BTS.

As you may have sensed by now, Peter4's comment quoted above is what pushed me over the edge. It is grossly prejudicial. Plenty of Thais meeting the description offered are totally on the level. That kind of marketing is commonplace for thoroughly legitimate businesses that do not use high-pressure tactics if and when you do visit the shop. A lot of times, the young folks (they're usually school-aged) are giving something away to promote a product. I've been approached by folks like this who are working on school projects (the description matches many school uniforms) or working for the Tourism Authority, who made no effort whatsoever to sell me anything or get me to visit anyplace. It's quite common to see these folks at Saphan Thaksin, where tourists from the riverside hotels and locals using river transport mix near the BTS station. The approach tourists and locals in equal messure. Yes, some high-pressure salesmen, touts, and outright scamsters are out there employing tourist-friendly tactics like those described; they're ubiquitous in Patpong, as you would expect (just like in Times Square!). But the notion that "any Thai in Bangkok" fitting that description is out to relieve you of some baht is outrageous.

I know plenty of Thais who would fit Peter4's description and have no ulterior motives at all in approaching a farang with a map or one who looks slightly lost. They are just offering help or a kind word. Culturally speaking, the Thais are an extremely warm and friendly people--perhaps the friendliest I've even met (though the Balinese are a close second)--who are very welcoming of tourists. When interacting with Thais you've never met before, just use your good judgment.

I would advise those reading this thread to take all of the posters' comments with a grain of salt, including my own. Many of us on FT are quite regular visitors to Thailand, some live there part-time, and others live there full-time. In the spirit of things, I will disclose a fact that may color my own experiences in Thailand. My fiance is Thai. He or his friends are sometimes, though not always, with me as I explore Thailand or return to favorite old haunts. They know how to deal with Bangkok life and steer clear of the unsavory bits. They've taught me some things, and I've developed a decent awareness of what's right and what's not and what just needs to be chalked up to "this is Thailand." Not everyone has the benefit of that companionship or of the experience that regular visitors or residents have. I understand that. First-time visitors may have some culture shock. But it's no different than someone from the rest of America visiting New York. Just remember, you're not in Kansas anymore.

Chewie -

As I think back to many sightseeing and entertainment activities in Bangkok, a few stand out in my memory.
One of the most memorable is the Siam Niramit stage show.

If you enjoy musical shows, in extravagant Las Vegas style, then Siam Niramit would be a delightful evening for you.
It is certainly not the kind of entertainment you would expect to see in Thailand.
It's music and dancing and special effects - lots of special effects.
Professionally done, very polished.
I've seen many Las Vegas shows: Siam Niramat compares with the best of them.
I was impressed to see a show of this caliber in Thailand.

The show implies that it is about Thai culture.
Well, there are many beautiful costumes in traditional Thai style.
The music is derived from Thai traditional music -- with jazzed-up arrangements.
Even a baby elephant appears on stage.
But this is not the place to learn anything about Thai culture.
Think of it as "Disneyland-Thailand", with magnificent sets, stunning effects, and plenty of performance pizazz.
Just let them entertain you.

There were some things I didn't care for about the show -- or found somewhat odd:
The most noticable was the overlay of "politically-correct diversity", which is virtually impossible to avoid in the arts these days.
Old Siam didn't have Negros, but at least one appeared in the show for effect.
Muslims were showcased with an overly large amount of attention, compared to their level of population and their level of contributions to Siam.
Plenty of Chinese in the show, of course, but all happy and dancing, with none working hard as Chinese are wont to do.
Not a single Caucasian/farang that I recall, yet Europeans were crucial to the development of Siam as traders, as mercenary soldiers, as teachers, and as engineers and builders of the railways in Siam
But Europeans were ignored in the show, while Muslims were on display.
(Hmmm ... makes you wonder.)

This show is not for everyone.
Those who travel "Kao San Road class", will sniff in disgust at the lush performance of Siam Nirmit.
Those who worship the poor and primitive of the hill tribes, or who prefer riding trains with hard seats and no air-conditioning, will probably be repelled by the performance, and certainly by the price of tickets.

I reserved tickets at the tour desk in my hotel:
1,400 baht per person included round-trip transportation in a private van with driver, and a nice buffet dinner before the show. (price in April, 2006)
The buffet was Thai food, with spiciness nicely adjusted for Western tastes.
The buffet was ample and tasty, but nothing special.

At the show, I told my Thai girlfriend to inquire about the price at the ticket window -- while I stayed out of sight to avoid being quoted the foreigner price.
She was told the walk-in price is 1,500 baht, no buffet and no van transportation.
So your best deal is to reserve at a hotel tour desk or a local travel agent.

Siam Niramit is a thrilling show and surprising entertainment in Thailand.
I highly recommend it.
To find their home page, Google this:

"Siam Niramit" "Journey to the Enchanted Kingdom of Siam"

-- Peter
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