Bangkok-decision time
 

Hello,
We are going to be in Bangkok 2 1/2 days (3 nights). We have a reservation at Evergreen Place. Ratt and Tong are both available to guide/drive the days we need. Ratt has rooms available in her B&B. What should we do?
Thanks!

Well why don't you split your custom, rent a room off Rattt ( assuming you have researched and it's to your liking) and book Tong to guide you.

Wondering if that would feel awkward, since she said she would be available for our dates to guide us?

I agree virginia, I wouldn't stay at Ratt's B&B and use Tong. GIven the price range you are looking for, I'd say that Ratt's B&B would be a good match for you. I've heard from several people who loved it.

Tong usually hands people off to one of her employees (all guides do to some extent) but if Ratt says she is available and you stay at her B&B, I'd guess you'd get to tour with Ratt.

you may have forgotten that rat and tong worked together and had a big falling out... i would stick with one or the other..

both are wonderful... i do think tong's english is better and she is a licensed guide, which rat is not, but rat is a charming and compentent person.

I remember looking at the location map for Ratt's place and I do recall that it's not really in a prime location. But then recently the newly opened Asiatique outdoor mall is quite near to Ratt's place....

rat's B&B is near the river south of the shangri-la hotel quite a ways... evergreen is more centrally located for tourism in the siam sq area.. this might help you make a decision.

neither is a bad location, and i do like the looks of the comforts that rat offers.

As D always says he who pays the piper calls the tune, why should it be awkward? Do whatever suits you if you want to stay with Ratt and be guided by Ratt do that BUT if you want Tong (who is a licensed guide) go with her.

We have decided to keep our reservation at the Evergreen, since Ratt's B&B had a post about cats meowing and we are not sleep-with-earplugs people. That said, our impression is that Ratt, who is a little less expensive, would drive us, but not "guide" us quite as much. Her site does not outline itineraries. Does she do a trip to the floating markets, fisherman's villages and/or monkeys? Should we do that one day?

V, I think Ratt will take you wherever you want to go although I am not sure if the fishermans village is a Tong thing. The guys who have been will probably be able to help.

Glad you were able to find about about the cats before you went :)

yes, I have emailed Ratt and await her reply regarding guiding us.

Ratt took us to the floating Market on one of our early trips. She does not go to the monkeys and fisherman's village...that is a tong thing. Both are in the same direction, so if you want the fishermans village have tong do both on a different day. Ratt did some guiding for us in a very informal way. She did not go into the palace and explain things, but before we went in she directed us to the right gate, warned of the touts, and told us what to look for. It was a very fun day with her.

Well I just extended our trip to Vietnam and Cambodia to go to Bangok for 3 days. Can you tell me about how much you were quoted for tours while you were there? Also what specific things are you doing.?

Tong has a Tours with Tong website. Ratt -- "Our rate 250 Baht/H around the town, out of town will charge more for gasoline cost. This price doesn’t include parking and express way." Our hotel provides a 1/2 day tour to the Palace. So, we will do the other half on our own. We hope to be with Ratt 1 1/2 days and go to the floating market and ? not sure yet.

You will have a good time with Rat- we have used her on several of our trips. She gave us very good service!

rat is enjoyable, you will enjoy her

Please provide web site links: you answered a few of my quetions. ;)

We have engaged Rat as our guide :) Thanks, all!

Links:http://www.tourwithtong.com
http://www.ratservice.com/About.aspx