filmwill

Have been tasked with finding a tour guide in Chiang Mai for the in-laws. They're not really planning on doing much touring, as they really only have 2 days to see CM (and an additional 2 days at the Elephant Conservation Center.)

We used Poon last year...and we absolutely LOVE her, but we were also much more flexible with the language barrier, which was a bit of an issue.

I'm looking for someone who can guide them around the city who language won't be so much of an issue with. Any suggestions/experiences are greatly appreciated.

One note, definitely not interested in Sgt. Kai or his guides...we had a bad experience trying to book with them previously.

Would prefer a more intimate experience for them.

kingbonza

Try www.paewtravel.com They are a small tour company in Chiang Mai that I have dealt with before. They speak good english and are reliable.

jenskar

The guide we used speaks excellent english and I can't recommend him more highly. His name is Chaiya and is email is [email protected] He's very good at customizing itineraries to what you want to do, is Karen so he understands several Hill tribe languages, and is very instructive as to local culture, special events, ritual, etc. I think they'd have a wonderful time with him. And if they want to do something outside of town too (ie. go up to Doi Suthep) he works with a driver. Chaiya is licensed.

BeniciaChris

filmwill-What was the bad experience with Sgt. Kai?? I have booked him for a 5 day tour October 27th for CM-CR & the Golden Triangle.He has gotten back to me in a timely manner & I told him I wanted just him-Please let me know. If you want to E-mail direct it is [email protected] Thank you so much

KimJapan

Here's some posts about when he was trying to book him. http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34846017

Some other posters here have also had the experience of booking Sgt Kai and having someone else show up in spite of the agreement being specifically for Sgt Kai...the other guide was good enough, but not what was promised.

I've noticed, both from itins posted here and from Sgt Kai's website, that although he seems to promise unique, the itins are standard tour fare and not special, and the prices are very high...look at the price filmwill was quoted...others as well.

Some people are very happy with him and his guides and services, and others have not been so happy...likely depends very much on how your expectations are met. Based on what others have posted here about his itins, subbing other guides for himself, and prices, I am not interested in using him because 1) I want the guide I book and am not interested in a sub 2) I want unique and not touristy, not the typcial elephant rides, rafting and Doi Suthep 3) I don't like a lot of time in the car, and many of his tours are heavy on the driving and light on the time spent at each place...but he still might be a perfect fit for another style of traveler with expectations he can meet.

filmwill

Kim, very well put. That pretty much encompasses my issues with him.

It's not the his tour services are bad per se, it was more the constant shifting of 'I promise to be your tour guide' to 'I'm having x person be your tour guide instead'; as well as the unbelievably high prices we were quoted.

I'm sure he'll be just fine--but we're picky about this kinda stuff...and ended up being much happier using Poon as our driver.

Best of luck!

BTW, king + jen: thanks for your suggestions. I've sent emails to both Paew and Chaiya. We'll see what happens!