I have 2-3 days to spend in Thailand in February and the choice is Bangkok or Chiang Mai. <BR>Which one should I chose? <BR> <BR>Thanks <BR>GAL

Visit Chiang Mai for sure! Just got back from 2 weeks in Thailand and can't wait to go back. Chiang Mai is cool at the foot of mountains, reminded me of Hawaii. Costs are incredibly cheap and people are friendly. Bangkok has a lot to see but it is crowded and polluted. I am considering retiring to Chiang Mai in the near future. Take tours to see the elephant camp, the hill tribes, and everything you can. Tours ran $10-$25 and were well worth it. Don't miss the Night Bazaar and the temple on the mountain which contains a relic of Buddah.

Agree with Bill wholeheartedly. Try the Good View restaurant on the river and the Imperial Mae Ping hotel is just a couple of blocks from the night market and is very good for around $50/night.

How can you think of not seeing Bangkok, one of the great cities in the world on you short visit! You can always come back, but if not you've at least seen on the the greats. Going to New York State without seeing New York City - shame shame. The other guys did both - you can only do one. The choice is a no brainer !!!!!!!!!!!!!!1 <BR>

I am very fond of Chiang Mai (last there in July, 1999), but, given the choice and presuming that you have not been to Thailand before, I believe that Bangkok is the better option for a few days. I would stay near the river (Chao Phrya) and use the ferries to get to the various sights (Grand Palace, Wat Po, Temple of Dawn [Wat Arun], and so forth). Traffic is so congested and the weather so warm (enervating) that visiting Bangkok takes longer than you might expect. It is a great city. Penelope