This will be our first time to Thailand and we're really looking forward to it. The purpose of the trip is to get a taste of the country and to relax. Thanks to all who have answered my questions and whose experience I've learned from.

3/10 Arrive BKK at 21:00, check into the Pen

3/11 AM - Weekend Market
PM - Tea at the Oriental, Khlong
Dinner at Bed Supperclub

3/12 AM - JT's House, Erawan Shrine,
Suan Pakkad
PM - Joe Louis Puppet Theatre,
Suan Lum Night Bazaar
? Dinner suggestion

3/13 Check into ROS
AM - Grand Palace, Emerald Buddha, Wat Pho
Flower Market, Wat Arun
PM - ? Thai boxing match
? Dinner suggestion

3/14 10:30 Prasart Museum
Vimanmek Palace, Marble Wat
PM - ? Calypso Cabaret
? Dinner suggestion

3/15 Fly to CR, check into Anantara

3/16 Relax, Hall of Opium, ? elephant
activity

3/17 Mae Salong, Doi Tung

3/18 Fly to Phuket, check into Mom Tri's

3/19 Relax

3/20 John Gray Sea Kayak Tour

3/21 Relax

3/22 Fly to SGN via BKK to visit family

3/23 Depart SGN to DFW

I'm still debating on hiring a guide/driver for 3/13. Also, need recs regarding a driver for the Prasart. Any comments on watching a boxing match or the cabaret show?

Definitely do the Calypso Cabaret- we enjoyed it. A great show- very classy, well done and its a small theater so most of the seats are good. Do the cocktail show- skip the dinner show. get your tickets ahead of time at the Asia Hotel.

This looks really good. You have NOT scheduled too much. For dinner on the night you're going to the Joe Louis Puppet Theater, you can eat at a decent Thai place next to the theater. It fits logistically. It's nothing special, but is solid Thai food.

For the first full day you're in BKK, I note you are schedu;led for dinner at the Bed Supper Club. You may find that you are too exhausted to appreciate the experience. I would kkep it in the schedule, but be open to changing plans.

While at the ROS, there is a very good Thai restaurant just around the corner, the Gallery Cafe. Go right out of the lobby, follow the road as it bends around and it will be on your right before you get to the main road. Some have noted recently that there was a smell of Tiger Balm when enetering. If this is noticeable, you can just go to the main road, take a right walk down several blocks past the Post Office and you'll see harmonique 100 feet down a SOI on your right. Both restaurants are easy to get to from the ROS. Both are better than the Thai restaurant in the hotel and worth the small extra effort.

We used Ratt to get to the Prasart. We thought the Prasart was one of the highlights of our time in Bangkok. The antiques are beautiful and the guided tour is very informative.

On the day you are going to the Prasart, you also plan to go to Wat Ben (the Marble Wat). Start that day very early with your driver - buy food and go to Wat Ben to make merit. It's really the best way to see/experience Wat Ben.

3/11 looks like way to much to me....after your arrival you will be very tired even after a good nites' sleep i should think....you will not enjoy bed supper club that much....do it another nite...eat at the penn that nite....jesters, or the thai place in the garden or the wonderful dim sum in the chinese rest....relax a bit that nite...

Yet another suggestion to change the BED Supper Club reservation to a different night. We had an in-room massage on the afternoon of our first full day in BKK....fell fast asleep promptly after the massage and slept right through the reservation time.

Not sure why you would want to bother switching from the Penn to the ROS (or vice versa).

Do use Ratt or one of her drivers for the Prasart Museum. Have her make the reservation for you. The first tour of the day starts at 10 so you could probably do something earlier. Ratt would be good for the 13th also. She'll set you up with a guide for the Grand Palace - plan on going there at 8:30 am when it opens.

We arrived in BKK four days ago and have been pleasantly surprised at our luck in avoiding the horrible traffic. We had three lovely nights at the Pen and now have checked into the ROS on points due to the Pen being out of rooms. Our room at the Pen was great, with a patio and fabulous view of the river. The service was excellent and everyone was so kind. They were even able to give us the name of where they purchase their bamboo flatware at 11 PM.

We ended up going to Bed Supperclub as planned. We were not tired, but it really wasn't our scene. It was worth going for the experience, but would not go again. China House on the otherhand was great. We'll just order less Peking Duck next time. We will try the Gallery Cafe tonight.

Most importantly, we are to fly to CR tomorrow. Given the fire/smoke, what are your thoughts on cancelling? Is it really that bad? I was really looking forward to the Anantara. Not really sure what we'd do instead.

So glad you are enjoying Bangkok.

Call the Anantara and ask how bad it is. If it's really bad, can you switch Phuket and the Golden Triangle?

can you tell us more about your dinner at china house and why it was so good...

we had such a bad experience there that i would not want to spoil it for others by our reports...

Yes, I'd love to hear your thoughts about China House. Sveral Fodorites have been there since the remodel, and the reactions have been mixed.

I think their Peking duck is still superb, it's the decor and the impractical design I objected to.

Regarding China House, I should preface by saying that I have never had Peking Duck before. That being said, my impression of duck was that it oily/greasy. The duck at China House was not greasy, the skin thin and crisp. The meat was tender. The pancakes were light, and the condiments fresh.We also enjoyed our appetizer, the pork dumpling. Could have been a meal in itself. The individually boxed fortune cookies were unique, with a hint of jasmine, I think.

I personally, liked the decor. Thought it was interesting with the little booths/niches. Liked all the red.

Now at the Anantara. Simply amazing. The smoke hides some of the views, but it is not bad.

More to come..

I can understand your feelings about Bed Supper Club. I went once and had a good time but when I went back two years later, I said "what am I doing here." Once for the experience is fine but never again for me.

I'm so glad you are enjoying the Anantara. It is an amazing place!