orgy, I'm laughing. I understand that with kids they want the convenience of a driver. But you're so right - the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, the grand Palace and Wat Po can be reached by a 14 baht river boat ride!

I can speak from experience that for some people just walking to and from the boats, taxis have a tendency to zap your energy. So for those who do not tolerate the heat/humidity very well- and I'm from Houston!- then save your energy and get peace of mind- get Ratt.

Beware of scams leading you to buy jewelries . Bangkok may not be the best place to buy expensive jewelry in terms of price . But these large jewelry stores know to treat their customers.

weill I guess some of the missunderstanding has been whats "in town".. all of our suggestion are in Bangkok.. but in diffrent districts which may feel like a whole new city.

if you do deside too go too the flower market.. .rose gardens (where the elephent show is) and/or the floating market. then I think her services are a good value...

I've seen some local tour agencies charge 1200 just for the floating market which inludes a "rip of lunch". with ratt you csn go to all the major temples Iwhich are all accross the street form each other. then take a 2 baht bout accross the river to wat arun and (if your using her van service she could have the driver cross thre bridge over too thomburi and pick you up and take ya too the floating market flower market etc. which are at the far end of the district...

there is a zoo. amusment park, water park. drive threw safair and other kid freindly places in Greater bangkok.

My advice- skip the zoo, amusement parks, water parks- you didn't come 10,000 miles to visit these venues (you can do those at home). Hit the temples, palaces, markets, Jim Thompson House, Teak Mansion etc. The kids will be fine.

I'm with Bill 100% on this. Do the Grand Palace, klong tour which should include Wat Arun, Royal Barges and flower market. If you have the energy add Jim Thompson House. In the evening go to the puppet show near the night market. And do it all with Ratt.

Correction-- if you have a day and a morning you can do the klong tour in the morning without Ratt.

I'm hearing that Ratt is now requiring full day reservations only due no doubt to people stiffing her by reserving the full day but only using and paying for half.

I would suggest that they book Ratt for a full day and if they have the next morning free they should do the klong tour at that time without her. If they don't have 3 hours in the morning for the klong tour they should do it the day they have with ratt.

Snake farm would probably be of great interest to the kiddies at least. Dancing cobras with a snake handler, milking venom, etc. Again it is in the middle of Bkk.

Be careful with the kids and the boats on the river. Make sure the boat is life jacket-equipped before you leave.

Most kids love the skytrain because they can sit backwards on the train and see lots of the city views. You don't have to take it forever. Have your guide drop you at one station, take it for 4-5 stations and then get off to be picked up by your driver. Cost is less than a dollar for 5 stations. Keep the kids interested.

COOL.. I was never too sure what was up with the snake farm..

maybe Im way too childiish for my age, but I think the snake fram, crocodile farm, kloung bout trip and childrens meusam seems like fun too me let alone children ages 7 and 9..

You might want to get these two books from Nancy Chandler - www.nancychandler.net

-Nancy Chandler’s Thailand Activity Book
-Sue Adam’s Kids in Bangkok - cards covering 52 things to do in Bangkok with the whole family