kywood1955

So, I've been reading about hiring a private long tail boat with guide, but have not seen the details of how and where, in particular, and for much this can be done. Can someone enlighten me? Thanks in advance for any and all info!

Ben

I assume you mean in Bangkok. About 5 years ago, we paid $10 US for a couple of hours. We were approached by one of the "usual" long tail boats, and simply explained that we wanted to go along slowly, without visiting the snake farm or any other tourist trap.

simpsonc510

I just did a 1 1/2 hour klong tour in February of this year, and I want to say the cost was about 1000 baht, plus we tipped the guide. We organized the tour at the Saphan Taksin skytrain station. As you leave the station, heading towards the river, you will see a little stand near the stairway going down. We were very pleased with the tour and guide.

I've done this in the past, for about the same price, but arranged right down on the pier at Saphan Taksin station and bridge location. It isn't difficult to do. You want to get a guide who speaks English, to tell you about the klongs.

I think it would also be possible to arrange a klong tour from your hotel, if you are staying riverside. If not, you can go to the River City shopping mall and arrange it there. They also have a fairly decent dinner boat with Thai dance/music entertainment.



The klong tour gives you an interesting look at life in BKK. Make sure you have a camera with you.

Carol

Lyndie

We organised our private longtail boat at the wharf of the Shangri-La, Bangkok, where we were staying. It was about US20 for 3 hours in July 2003. The trip was uncomfortable so ensure the seats have padding & a back support. The sights were stunning. Tell the boatman you want to visit "off the beaten track" and ask him to go into some of the smaller channels behind the main routes.

rhkkmk

the above posters have it right....i think that generally they charge about 400 B per hour...it is worth every penny...
at taskim there are a couple of places to hire boats...in june there was even a lady up in the station soliciting business from people as they left the trains...the desk at river city is out by the river...

any hotel on the river will call a boat for you if you ask them...that is if you are a resident...that way you come and go from your hotel which is convenient...

i have never had a guide on my boat...just the driver...

simpsonc510

We've had just the driver, and then the driver plus guide. I prefer having the guide.. a very nice young girl who spoke good English and could answer our questions and also give details about places we were seeing. It made it a more informative (but not TOO talkative) journey down a smaller canal.
Carol

rhkkmk

it is very loud on the boats so too much talking might be difficult...the drivers generally have very little english so mostly you just look around and guess at what is there...some info might be helpful

simpsonc510

And the drivers sit at the very back of the boat, while passengers ride nearer the center. The longtail boats come by their names for a reason... they are long!! It is nearly impossible to hear the driver, and difficult to understand him if his English is not so good. That's why a guide makes sense (IMO). But you also pay a little more for the ride. Worth it, though... from my experience.
Carol

rhkkmk

i totally agree with carol

glorialf

I think the first time it probably helps to have a guide. After that I never found a need.

Craig

We had a trip on a long tail boat from Chiang Rai with a guide and, because of the accent and the gentle way the Thais speak, we really could not hear her very well. It is really noisy on the boat.

DonTopaz

For those who have taken a private river or klong tour with both driver and guide, did you find the guide at one of the boat piers, or did you hire the guide through your hotel?

simpsonc510

My guide was at the Saphan Taksin sky train station, near the stairway down to the boat docks. She was at the little stand where we booked the trip. There were two people at the stand, asking people if they wanted a klong tour. We said yes. She then took us down to the boat dock to wait for "our" boat and then hopped right in and came along with us. It was a really neat spur of the moment choice. I knew I wanted a klong our, but this was much easier than the last time I had done one.
Carol

rhkkmk

rizzuto---hope you can come to the gtg in cambridge after your return...we will all be anxious to hear the latest bkk news...

let me know

[email protected]

bob