fergster

My husband and I are planning a last minute trip to Thailand and will be spending 3-4 days in Bangkok the first week of July. We are interested in booking a personal tour to see the floating market, Elephants, Tigers, and Ayutthaya. Does anyone have any recommendations?

We are also interested in seeing the sights in Bangkok, would you recommend booking a tour for this as well or is seeing the main sights manageable?

Thanks!

MissGreen

We did personal tours with Destination Asia to the Floating Markets, Bridge on River Kwai, Tiger Temple and an elephant sanctuary. I was extremely happy with their service. The guides were fabulous. We had the same one our whole trip. The company would leave a reminder message with the concierge each day that would get delivered to our room to remind us of the time to be ready the next day and where we were going. My travel agent had arranged a pick up from Bangkok Airport for $50 with this company and when they checked us in to the hotel we asked what she had on offer in regards for tours. It was all done on the spur of the moment.

I love the fact that there was a car waiting, with the air conditioning on. I don't know how easy it is to get around on your own but I'm glad I didn't

Kathie

No ned for a tour in Bangkok. You can easily do it on your own. DO use the water taxis to get to the major wats and use the skytrain whenever you can and you'll avoid the traffic.

I do not recommend you go to see elephants near Bangkok. You can assume that those elephants have been badly treated. IF you are really interested in elephants, you need to visit one of the two well-run and humane elephant centers near Chiang Mai: The Thai Elephant Conservation Center or the Elephant Nature Park.

It is worth booking a tour to Ayntthaya, but do get one that takes you one way on the boat.

I do use a car service from airport transfers, mostly because we travel with a lot of luggage and we have been awake for over 24 hours by the time we arrive in Bangkok. But taxis are readily available and cheap. The typical taxi into Bangkok will cost about 350 baht (a bit over US$10) plus tolls. I use AAC limo and the cost is about 1000 baht (in the US$30 range).

Some people love the floating markets. I don't I consider them tourist traps. And the tiger temple - well, read about it before you decide to go. It is a profit center for the "monastery" and there is plenty of evidence that the tigers are not treated well.

rhkkmk

tours with tong is good for trips outside bkk... you could also hire rat---search for them here or google them..

fergster

Thanks for all your help!

RiniRabbit

yup, if you have short time visiting Bangkok, I think book a tour is a good option.
have a great time in Thailand.

silverwool

I've booked a walking food tour in Bangkok. http://bangkokfoodtours.com I know several people have commented favourably about it here. Unfortunately I won't be in Bangkok till late July so not much help to you. Just another option!

rhkkmk

for me and for many a walking tour in bkk would be a killer...its way tooo hot and humid...