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Bangkok, Penang and Chiang Mai - Kathie's 2006 Trip Report

Bangkok, Penang and Chiang Mai - Kathie's 2006 Trip Report

Old Dec 3rd, 2006, 10:46 AM
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Arthistory, for a first-timer to Bangkok, I recommend the Grand Palace/Emerald Buddha, Wat Po, an early morning trip to Wat Ben to watch/perticipate in merit-making, the Jim Thompson House. There are lots of other places to see, hundreds of wats, other house museums, the Prasart Museum, etc, depending on your interests and your time.

Favorite Thai food options: La Na Thai at Face, Harmonique is good, Chote Chitr was incredible, but not easy to find.

mjs, wine in Bangkok is always a problem. This trip, no liquids on the plane meant we could not bring in wine or chanpagne. However, we did buy some champagne at duty-free in the new Bangkok airport to take with us to Penang. While I have no interest in football, I'm always interested in Bollinger Grand Annee - one of my faves! Bring some next trip and we'll be glad to imbibe with you in the lounge!
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Old Dec 3rd, 2006, 01:17 PM
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Kathie,
Thanks for the info. I always do alot of research before I travel to a new place, but Bangkok seemed even more overwhelming than most places! I had planned on the grad palace for sure, so with your rec it will be on the top of the list. I have printed your info, all of your trip, as well as your reply to me and plan on reading during our long, long journy from Arizona. Hope your next trip is a great one!
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Old Dec 3rd, 2006, 02:22 PM
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Thanks for all of the input, Kathie! You really helped us plan our 16 day trip (because of you, we are going to Chiang Rai instead of Mai). We can't wait!!!! Going the end of Jan. Just saw your post for first timers in BKK- thanks!
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Old Dec 4th, 2006, 07:21 PM
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For those considering taking Kathie's excellent advice to make several visits to the Flora exhibition rather than having a long day there, you may wish to note that the sale of multiple entry tickets has been discontinued.
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Old Dec 4th, 2006, 08:21 PM
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kathie...i am searching for the managers card for yaang come village...i still have my tha tien receipt in my passport holder (hahaha)

kim japan has her card too...maybe she will see this and jump in with the info..
search continues
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Old Dec 4th, 2006, 09:10 PM
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The YCV manager's name is Aree (or Ari?) and you can surely send her e-mail through their info/reservations e-mail address. What I'd do is send a mail asking how to directly contact her and go from there. When we left, I left a rather long written list of good points as well as a few things we thought could be improved. One of those things was the "tour desk" concept...my wish was that if you booked a car/tour through the tour desk you could pay at the end of your stay rather than seperately on the day you use the service. Don't know if that happened, but it seems that the arrangement with whatever tour company mans the tour desk has continued to be problematic, perhaps in more ways than one. I can certainly see outsourcing the transport/tour part of the business, as running a small hotel is work enough...but in their case it may well be a good idea to rethink that system.

I did find that Aree was very willing to please, and when my daughter expressed a desire for hot chocolate in the morning and they had none, it was available the next day for her. I am quite sure she would welcome any comments and ideas for solutions you might have for her.
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Old Dec 5th, 2006, 07:06 AM
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Tangata, they've stopped selling the multi-entry tickets? Too bad. It was a wonderful way to see Royal Flora.

dive and Kim, I'll watch and see if either of you can come up with a card or direct email. YCV really does need to know that this is a problem. (I gave them clear but kind feedback at the time.)
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Old Dec 5th, 2006, 04:07 PM
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"Tangata, they've stopped selling the multi-entry tickets?"

Sadly they have -- the official explanation is that they are leading to overcrowding and additional traffic.

Fortunately the Boss already has one. She has now made eight visits, four over a very crowded King's Birthday weekend. She seems to find something new each visit.
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Old Dec 5th, 2006, 05:20 PM
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Interesting, my guess is that they figured out that the multi-entry tickets were too good a deal!
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Old Dec 5th, 2006, 06:14 PM
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I suspect that you are right!
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Old Dec 8th, 2006, 11:30 AM
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I noticed on the YCV website they advertise that the transport from airport to YCV is 200 Baht per person. These prices are obviously for people who don't realise there are cheaper alternatives. Be like Kathie and catch a cab.
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Old Dec 8th, 2006, 02:10 PM
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Kathie-Thank you for all your helpful information. We are planning a trip to Thailand and Bali next October.(Three weeks of it in Thailand)We have 3 weeks secured with timeshares-Bankok-Kuta in Bali and Pattaya. Have not decided what to do with the last week. I am researching-Thanks again Chris
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Old Dec 9th, 2006, 05:21 AM
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Kathie - finally catching up on my reading and really enjoyed your trip report! I love the details you provide about shops and such. Can't wait to get back to Thailand... but I'm afraid it might be awhile (other trips in the hopper).
Karen
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Old Dec 10th, 2006, 09:29 AM
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I just wanted to let all of you know that Cheryl has posted our trip photos on her website: www.marlandc.com

There are now so many trips on the site, you have to look for this year's trip: it's in the center of the bottom row.
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Old Dec 10th, 2006, 06:00 PM
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thanks for the great report....how do you keep it so short and include so much info??

i will be reporting on our underwhelming experience at china house and how i feel the renovations have ruined a perfectly good restaurant...it is now more like a theme park...imo
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Old Feb 14th, 2007, 04:08 PM
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Kathie, I saw you mention this TR on another thread and definitely want to read this.

Yesterday, I booked a business class FF award ticket on Singapore Airlines. 12/20 LAX-SIN nonstop, connecting to PEN. Return from Singapore on January 7.
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Old Feb 14th, 2007, 05:21 PM
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We loved Penang! Do stay at the E&O if you can. We got a great rate from the E&O's website.
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Old Jul 10th, 2007, 12:25 PM
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Topping this for a good read later.. perhaps with a glass of bubbles
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Old Jul 10th, 2007, 01:59 PM
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Ah! I always recommend bubbles! Happy reading!
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Old Sep 4th, 2007, 07:36 PM
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Reading this for the second time, and finding more each time...thanks...my trip is coming together--slowly and this has some good ideas..sorry I missed the Royal Flora, tho, gardening being a passion of mine.
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