Tried to get my dates together asap but when I got back to her this morning she said that she is booked the dates that we'll be in Bangkok January 24-28.

I guess we will use one of her other guides as I know people have had very good experiencs with them but I must say I am a bit disappointed.

You guys all talked about her SO highly.....and since I can't have her I want her all the more!!! :0)

There are other drivers and guides recommended on this forum....Ratt is one of them. You can get in touch with her at

http://ratservice.com/index.aspx

Cherry is another recommended driver and you can reach her at

[email protected]

Aloha!

Thanks for that.
After I heard from Tong, I emailed Cherry but haven't heard back from her yet.
I'll email Rat too...

Do you really need a guide for BKK? The answer is easy - NO. If you can buy a guidebook and read some, you will have your own adventure. It always knocks me over that so many people here need a guide when it is about as difficult as Kansas City or Dallas to deal with.

Different strokes for different folks, anatole.

That's what makes the world a beautiful place.

In fact BKK is easier than KC or Dallas. However, it is also far more interesting. I've found that a good guide enhances my experience. Tong is wonderful. Her team is very good. Your vacation will be better for having their help.

While I have never used a guide in Bangkok, I know that some people love having a guide. To each one's own.

Jasper, as you consider who you want to hire, consider whether you want a guide or whether you want a driver. You might want a guide some of the time, a driver part of the time, and go it alone part of the time. Personally, I've only used a driver for out of town trips (such as the Prasart) but others have enjoyed having a driver in town.

Yea! I heard back from Tong and she has a day to tour with us after all...I think my telling her about all the wonderful things I'd heard about her on the Fodors board might have helped a little!

So, we'll have Tong one day,another day with another one of her guides and then 2 days on our own.

I think seeing a new city through the eyes of someone who has lived there can really make the experience much more enjoyable.

We always travel independently so it's not that we are timid, we just enjoy a locals viewpoint and knowledge. (and my GPS won't work in Bangkok) :0)

Yes a guide is not needed for BKK but having a driver is a nice luxury.
Get Ratt!

Its weird my home city of KC came up! BKK might be JUST a bit more difficult to deal with than KC. Its a little easier to get to Gates BBQ than it is to Chote Chitr!

I am glad that you can go with Tong!!!!! It will be an awesome day! Her team is very good too!!

Have a great trip!

OK....I may sound really lame here but what is Chote Chitr???

I'm happy that we have Tong for a day also....I think she's very appreciative and loves all the friends that she's made on this board....and it seems the feeling is mutual.

I live in L.A. CA and if we can navigate there, we can probably find our way around Bangkok...but I still like a guide...:0)

Thank you everyone for your support!!!

jasper, greetings from a fellow Angelino! As noted, BKK is just a wee bit harder to get around than Kansas City--or even LA. But that's mostly due to you not having been there before. On your second visit (after you've been there once, it's impossible not to return!) you'll feel like an old pro. We're coming up on our 3rd trip in 3 years, if that gives you any indication.

Chote Chitr is THE restaurant to go to while in BKK (and I say this 'supposedly'--since we're going there for our first time when we return in December). It's a bit off the beaten path, hence the comments.

You'll love Tong. Sure, it's easy to navigate Bangkok on your own. But Tong is an experience in and of itself...one you're sure not to forget for a long time to come. So rest assured: you've made the right decision. I always love when people head to Thailand for the first time...it's like discovering another world! I'm psyched for you!

Glad you could connect with Tong. We've been to BKK 3x & we have been with Tong--- - 3X. My kids are planning on our 4th trip & again planning on being with Tong again.

filmwill:
But Tong is an experience in and of itself...one you're sure not to forget for a long time to come.

He took the words right out of my mouth.

Please send her love from her Tokyo family !

Filmwill...thanks for that.

I'm going to see if I can find directions on the board for Chote Chitr.

bmttoyko: I'll give her your regards....

If you do go to CC, go on a day when you are NOT with Tong. When we talked about it to her the other day, she wasnt too pleased with the people there. But, most everyone here really seems to like it.

I have also heard that Tong is not a fan of CC. There's actually a walking/eating tour of the area around CC that we used last November. Check the posts in October/November for a reference, if you're interested. We did it and it was fun.

HEard the same from Tong so we're doing CC when we're not with her. We did the Chinatown corner T&K FRESH (tank outside!) seafood resto instead.

going to thailand in november. how would i get in touch with TONG. sounds like bangkok won't be the same without her. thx

tourwithtong.com

book early. you won't be sorry !!!

jaspertl

Here's a link to my directions to Chote Chitr - lots of photos on the blog link (posted that on the SR hotel thread)

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34933704

Tong "sniffs" when CC is mentioned

She prefers Coconut Palm which we also enjoyed - pics on blog and it's much easier to find.