I am going to be in Chiang Mai beginning Oct 27 and can't find a driver/guide (found one but way over priced $140 a day)...anyone know of guide with email address. Thanks.

If you are looking for an excellent driver you can try Poon. You reach her by contacting her sister in Bangkok at
[email protected]]

If you want a guide I have hear very good things about this one.
[email protected]

Do you want a driver or a guide?

I had an excellent driver when I was in CM in November. If you check my trip report (Kathie's Penang, Chiang Mai and Bangkok Trip report, 2006) I gave phone contact info. It's easy to find a driver in CM. You can contract with any taxi driver. That's how we found our driver.

It's very easy to find a guide or driver when you get there but just as in everything -- some will be good and some will be bad. Better, I think to book a known quantity ahead of time. Even if it means paying a bit more.

I can also recommend Poon. We used her services for 3 1/2 days in late April '06. She is pleasant and very knowledgeable.You just have to ask her to speak slowly and you will tune in easily. Also, ask her to put the A/C on before you return to the car for when we were there it was 90+. The USD has lost 25% to the BAHT since we were there. Her rate then was 2800BAHT for 10-11 hour days, she did not count the minutes, trust me.She was on-time every day and stayed with us all the time but did not want to eat with us no matter how much we insisted so we bought her a Gift Certificate to the Good Earth.

Does anyone have Poon's email...just trying save an international phone call!! Thanks