Jenni Powell

We will be in Bankok for 4 days, then heading to chiang mai, then Phuket. I am now hearing that 4 days could be too long in Bankok, but its too late to change it. Is 4 days too long? What are fun things to do in Bankok besides shopping? Are there any good side trips are there if we want to get away from the big city?

Kathie

Everyone has differnt interests, so I can't judge whether 4 days is too long for you. For me, 4 days is not too long, and despite the fact that I've been to Bangkok a number of times, I like to stay 4 - 6 days. Sone common suggestions: the Grand Palace and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, a tour of temples, including Wat Po (reclining Buddha) Wat Arun, Temple of the Golden Buddah, etc. The temples are all diferent enough from each other to provide a nice variety if you have any interest in temples at all. I also recommend the Jim Thompson House, and a day trip to Ayutthya. The shopping is fantastic, and you can do a one-day cooking class. There, you've already filled 4 days.

John G

I just returned from Bangkok last month and I think 4 days isn't enough!! I think 5 days is ideal. You have to remember that because of the heat of Bangkok, you will not be able to "go on like gangbusters." You have to take your time and stop frequently to rest and rehydrate.<BR><BR>Kathie, the expert travel advisor that she is, has touched on the important sites of Bangkok. (Kathie's advice to me on Siem Riep was priceless.) I would also add the National Museum to your intin. This is the one place I didn't get to see in Bangkok and I can now kick myself. Another fun thing to do is take a kalong tour of Thonburi in a long-tailed boat. Here you will see a different (calm) side of hustle-bustle Bangkok.<BR>

John G

<BR><BR>You also have to take into consideration where you are staying. If you are at one of the luxury hotels on the Chao Phraya (Oriental, Peninsula, Shangri-la, Royal Orchid), you will want to spend some time enjoying the amenities provided. (I lounged by the pool everyday for 2 hours while the cabana boys brough me drinks and treated me like I was Princess Di.)<BR><BR>Go to Sala Rim Nam at the Oriental for the "cultural show." It is very good and not the usual tourist crap. These dancers are classically trained.

Colin

Don't worry about not having enought to do for 4 days !<BR><BR>My last visit I spent 4 days in Bangkok, and it wasn't enough. I even missed out on visiting the Grand Palace !! Didn't even make it over the water to Wat Arun either! <BR><BR>Day trips to Damneon Saduak floating market, Rose Garden, and Nakhon Pathom, and then another to Ayutthya took only left me with 2 days in the city, which was nowhere near enough.<BR><BR>I wished I had gone on the River Kwai & Kanchanaburi (Erawan Falls) excursion, but didn't have enough time.<BR><BR>Although one thing was true, I was tired and ready to leave. But that wsa because I tried to cram in too much into not enough days!<BR><BR>So on my next visit in January I'm staying for 5 days. Taking it easy. Thinking of gong to Lopburi, and Ayutthya (again) for one day. Possibly River Kwai, but then spend the other days exploring the city a bit more.<BR><BR>Weekend market at Chatutak, Chinatown alleyways, watch a Thai boxing, watch some classical dancing, but most importantly, relax as much as possible, because the hectic city pace will tire you out.<BR><BR>Don't miss the Grand Palace !!<BR><BR>_______________________________________< BR>My Thailand travelogue and Photos<BR>http://www.bangor.ac.uk/~fos007/fb2b.htm<BR>Bangkok,Chiang Rai,Phuket,Krabi,Phi Phi

Craig

I agree with JohnG on the National Museum, but only if you can take one of their guided tours in English. I think they are given one or two mornings per week. One caveat: there's no a/c so bring some water to drink and dress comfortably!

Sally

The most fun was the boat ride to the Floating Market. Wonderful shopping. If you see it in Bangkok, buy it. Don't forget to bargain. Cut their price in 1/2 and then try to agree. Don't be afraid to walk away, as the merchants will come after you. Land of the knock-offs. Great Fendi and Louis Vuitton fakes for $35.00. And the fake watches are great also at $30 - $35. The food is spectacular. Very friendly people. Enjoy every minute.

bob

4 days is too short for me...my past trips have been 5 days, 14 days, 16 days and now november '02 (6 days followed by 3 days, followed by 3 days followed by 2 days---other places in between)...we love it...<BR>remember it is very hot and you can't do there what you do in say paris...one or two major things per day will really tire you out unless you have an air conditioned car with driver at your disposal...<BR>shopping, sights, eating...there is tons to do...while getting around is easier the last couple of years it is still quite slow....we use regular cabs---the a/c cools us down between stops and they are quite cheap...<BR><BR>try the bangkok marriott resort and spa---we think there is no better place

Judy

We are connecting through Bangkok and only have one night there. We get in late and our flight the next morning leaves at noon. I think it's a Sunday. Does anyone know what time do the floating markets open? How will traffic be on a Sunday? Should I even bother trying to get a glimpse of the markets before catching my flight? Thanks. <BR>

fiona

Judy<BR>if your flight leaves at noon you really need to be leaving your hotel at 10am (I'm assuming it is an internal flight). If you like shopping try the night market at Patpong. <BR><BR>Our flight left at midday and we found we had time to go to Jim Thompsons House. It is truely beautiful. He was a silk merchant and there is a shop on site where I could have happily spent a fortune. Excellent quality of silk goods are great prices. I think it opened at 8.30am.

tami

Four days is probably not enough to see everything, but Bangkok is so intense that it may be all you can bear! That said, I loved Bangkok, partly because it was so intense. Lots to do:<BR>Get a traditional massage at Wat Po! Save it for your last day in Bangkok great after four days of walking around in the stifling polluted heat - you'll feel cleansed and refreshed. It is an amazing city - yes, Jim Thompson's house is great, Chatuchak weekend market is mind-blowingly huge - not just a shopping trip but a cultural experience. I found Bangkok quite overwhelming, so I took side trips to break it up. Ayutthaya is a great side trip. I went for a day trip and spent two days there! it was a great relief from the oppressiveness of Bangkok. Take a boat down the Chao Phraya river. Thanks to everyone else for their advice - I'm in BKK again in January and I'd like to see all of the places that you recommended that I missed last time.

orgy7

when are you going, there is usually some festival or event going on..