I was trying to book a hotel in BKK in mid July with Sawadee, but my choices were all full (10-15 July). I have now booked the Royal Orchid Sheraton via a booking agent in the UK, but I am wondering what is going on in BKK over that period. I see there is a religious holiday then (Lent?), it this the reason? Will this holiday affect our trip?

I am not aware of any bank or religious holidays in July, Buddhist Lent is in August in 2004 from what my Thai friends tell me. It might just be a lot of foreign tourists on summer holidays.

The International AIDS Conference will be held in BKK 11-16 July - tens of thousands of attendees.

yep I here they are going too pass out condoms at the airport.

NOTE. when these big confrenced come into town. the city is cleaned up a litle bit too much for my taste. for instance many of the street vendors are not permited too work in some parrs of town .

Thanks for the responses. I guess I am now a bit worried about what BKK will be like with all these extra folk being there. Do you think we will need to make dinner and tour resevations in advance? I suppose that Cabbages and Condoms will be particularly popular!