September is not the best time to go to Thailand. It will be rainy as well as hot. But if you are not deterred by the weather, I'd suggest you spend a good part of your time in Bangkok with a side trip to Chiang Mai for a couple of days.

There is really no place that requires a guide in Thailand. Get yourself a good guidebook. You'll want to learn how to use the skytrain in Bangkok and the water taxis. With those two types of public transport, you can avoid most of the bad traffic in the city. I highly recommend that you stay at a hotel along the river.

I'm not a big fan of CM, but with your interests a short trip there to visit some of the temples and stroll around the old city would be nice. WHile you could take a few days for a beach, due to the weather, it isn't the best time to go.

I would agree to spend most of your time in Bangkok. If you split your time and go to CM for a few days in the middle of the trip, you could split your Bangkok stays between the river and the 'city center' area. I prefer the Sukhumvit area, personally. Choices of hotels are vast and prices range from little or nothing to several hundred dollars per night. You will find the big names plus tons of smaller boutique hotels. Serviced apartments are also a very popular choice in Bangkok.

You will no doubt want to visit the usual tourist places: Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Wat Arun, Jim Thompson house, a canal boat ride to see life along the water's edge, maybe a day trip to Ayudhaya (?).

If you are a shopper, Bangkok is fantastic. Even if you are not there for shopping, a visit to Chatuchak (JJ) the weekend market, is always interesting. There is a new night market along the river (Asiatique) which I hope to check out in July. It has shopping and dining venues.

September probably will be rainy, but I spent a very lovely day (1 of 2) in the sun in Phuket, also in September. The other full day on the island was rainy, so off to the mall in the center of the island. You could get serious downpours and then the sun might come out! Just be prepared with an umbrella or rain cover up.

Enjoy your trip!

Carol

i have to say that sept. is the worst month of the year for thailand, but you can also make the most of it..

have you considered bali instead?

A Elbereth Gilthoniel!
Elen sila lumen omentillmo

Sorry, had to do it when I saw your screen name. We used Ratt as our driver/guide and will use here services again in the fall. Contact her and she will send you more detailed info about her tours.

http://www.ratservice.com/

Aloha!