Go Back  Fodor's Travel Talk Forums > Destinations > Asia
Reload this Page >

Chiang Mai guide

Search

Chiang Mai guide

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 31st, 2005, 12:36 AM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 278
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Chiang Mai guide

Hello,
currently in the middle of our honeymoon in thailand. We're now at Yaang Come Village in Chiang Mai which is great (more when we get back)

Just wanted to recommend the guide we used this morning (had found him through positive reviews on tripadvisor).

His name is Itiphon (Pom) his email is [email protected]

He is 24 and only got his guide licence a few months ago. He was a monk in Chiang Mai from ages 12 to 22 (after finishing university he stopped being a monk). He speaks great english, knows a LOT about Chiang Mai and Bhuddism and is overall just a great guy.

We used him for a half day (7 to 12) to go to Doi Suthep, two other temples in chiang Mai and then the Wararot Market (fruit and veg). For two of us in his car (a Hinda Jazz) it was 1500 Bath.

A great find. This month he did a 17 day tour of the north with two german toruists and the day after tomorrow starts a 14 day tour with two brits so is alreasy in heavy demand. He works for a small firm (TIC Travel) where there are three of them alltogehter.

PS: part of the reason for our being so pleased is a result of the guide we had for Ayutthaya/Sukhothai/Lampang being so bad but more about her upon my return.

Happy New Year
brusselschap is offline  
Old Jan 4th, 2006, 11:26 AM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 458
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
brusselchap,
I have been anxiously awaiting to hear about your drive from Ayutthaya/Sukhothai/Lampang, since we have something similar planned. Did I miss it, or you busy having a vacation.
connette is offline  
Old Jan 4th, 2006, 02:34 PM
  #3  
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 888
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
thanks for the recommendation - we are looking for a guide in Chiang Mai as opposed to a driver. Hope you are having a fab honeymoon!
Bella_Bluebell is offline  
Old Jan 4th, 2006, 02:37 PM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 888
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
connette - I think Brusselschap is not back from his honeymoon until later this week.
Bella_Bluebell is offline  
Old Jan 5th, 2006, 03:32 PM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 271
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I emailed "Pom" using this email address. I got a this reply from "Beer". Is this really "Pom"??
Thanks!

How are you?? Firstly I have to say nice to meet you and HAPPY NEW YEAR;;; And also Welcome to THAILAND , whenever you want;;; For myself I'm a tourguide for 2 years and for my sevice is I can do everything you want ( I mean the tour !!!!) and I can also arrange the trasport,, Hotel booking ,,Plane ticket etc,, And for the rate is normal I will get about 30 - 40 us. per day ( company rate) this is the business price but we're friend So I will give you the special rate OK!!!! ( Enjoy first ,, Business later )

I want to know;;What is your plan??,, Did you have the program of the trip?? And How many exactly people?? Also when you want to come??? Because I have to know every detail so I can tell you the price;; Bec the tourism in THAILAND is the price depended on the season and also how big of the group!!! SO please sent me your detail and we will talk again OK!!!

Take care and hope to see you soon,, Please tell MR.BIll for me that I miss him very very much and hope to see him again too;;;

BEER;;;;;

stitchintime is offline  
Old Jan 5th, 2006, 03:51 PM
  #6  
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,900
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
stitch, I don't know if that is really Pom but it sure made me giggle! And now I am thirsty, too! Hmmm...
eurotraveller is offline  
Old Jan 7th, 2006, 04:58 AM
  #7  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 278
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Hello, not quite home yet so no time to post yet (will do so, hopefully by Monday). Just to say that i don't know who BEER is (!!??) nor who the MrBill he is referring to is.

The email address is correct and there are three guides working at TIC Travel so maybe insist on dealing with Ittiphon (Pom). His phone number is +66/6/921.67.24.

At any rate Pom's emails to me were never so wishy-washy but a lot more to the point and "professional".

If you want I'll email him and ask who beer is!!

brusselschap is offline  
Old Jan 7th, 2006, 05:46 PM
  #8  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 278
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Stitch,

i just wrote to Pom at his address on [email protected]

he tells me he does not know anyone called BEER so perhaps doublecheck the address you've been using.
brusselschap is offline  
Old Jan 23rd, 2006, 05:03 PM
  #9  
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Hi, there is no such positive reviews on Tripadvisor other than the ones posted by the tour guide himself (under various nicknames).
He's also been spamming the Lonely Planet forum with his advertising.
I can't say whether his service is any better than the numerous other tour guides in the city, but he hasn't shown much respect for forums' regulations (and therefore for their readers). If all Chiang Mai's tour guides were to use such tactics, the forums would be a real mess.
Spartacus is offline  
Old Jan 24th, 2006, 03:41 AM
  #10  
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 888
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Are you suggesting that brusselschap is in fact Pom also? He has a long history of posting here and this is a genuine post.

If you have a problem with the postings on tripadvisor/lonely planet - why not email the moderators to have them removed?
Bella_Bluebell is offline  
Old Jan 24th, 2006, 05:50 AM
  #11  
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I would never suggest such a thing. The tour guide has an unmistakable way of writing english (the Thai way). I'm not saying he's a bad tour guide either because I don't know him. I just want to point out that his behaviour isn't correct. Lying is not a good start when the key is to build trust with your future customer.
As for the other sites mentionned, they deal with it their own way. On LP regular users are giving him a hard (well deserved) time. What's important is not that his messages are removed, it's that he fools nobody.
Spartacus is offline  
Old Jan 30th, 2006, 08:11 AM
  #12  
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Do you have any tour operators that you have used or are familar with?
dburkard is offline  
Old Jan 30th, 2006, 08:35 AM
  #13  
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 158
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
We booked with: http://www.cmmarvel.com/. "Dave" is reliable, responsive, provided us with an excellent guide and driver. The package he put together for us gave us a good overview of the Pai-CM-GT area. We met at least one other couple using their services for private tours of northern TL.

Really enjoyed the private tour. Gave us a chance to change our itinerary "on the fly". Able to engage the guide in extended conversations regarding points of interest.
hi50phd is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Jacomas
Asia
2
Jan 21st, 2017 03:15 PM
Reebs77
Asia
5
Jul 2nd, 2009 08:16 AM
zeevfl
Asia
7
Oct 28th, 2006 07:44 PM
NurseSally
Asia
7
Sep 3rd, 2006 07:32 PM
jjakrub
Asia
10
Nov 6th, 2005 01:13 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On



Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -