I've read that Sergeant Kai and Poon are really good drivers/guides in Chiang Mai. Could someone kindly give me their email addresses? Also, are there any other good drivers/guides that you have used and recommend? Thanks.

you contact poon through her sister ratt: [email protected]

she will arrange things for you..

are you still planning to attend the GTG at the marriott resort and spa on nov 6 at 4:30??
hope to see you there..

bob

the address is: rat underscore bkk

Wow, thanks for the quick response. Just emailed her. Not sure if I can make the GTG now. I'm supposed to be in Chiang Mai on the 6th to meet a couple of friends. I'll let you guys know if anything changes but I really want to meet all of you. It'll be nice to have a face to the "screen names". You should see what you guys look like in my mind........LOL!

You can find out about Sgt Kai at http://chiangmaitours.com/

rs---come if you can, its an open invitation

Ah thanks. I most certainly will try.

If Poon's not available, Sergeant Kai is absolutely wonderful. We enjoyed our day with him so much. Excellent English and a very easy-going personality. I'm often a little uncomfortable (shy) with strangers, but he made us feel at ease at once with his warm manner and easy conversation.

Sergeant Kai's site is pretty good, but it seems to give the impression that he is not the sole guide but he will organise staff as your guide. Is this the case or does he handle everything himself?

I'm looking for someone in the same vein as Tong for CM, is Sergeant Kai the best option?

Cheers,

You can also contact Sergeant Kai at this email address:

[email protected]

We also enjoyed our 2-day tour with Sergeant Kai. I think Sergeant Kai is in the same vein as Tong.

Sargeant Kai has a number of people who work for him. I have read a few reports of people having someone else show up for their day when they thought they had booked him. However, I don't really have an alternative recommendation if you want a private guide. We found CM quite simple really, and got a car and driver whenever we wanted to go out of the city...it was simple to get one through the hotel and the rate for a day was inexpensive enough that I actually don't remember it.

Poon is quite good exceot her Engidh is 80% of what you would want but after 3 hours its a minor issue.
She was 2800 Baht for a 10-11 hour day wuth no gas charge within 10-29 miles of cebter city CM, Then sheadds 2 Bagt oer km, But that surcharge adds only $8-10 USD a day at the most. Very helpful, reliabe and on-time. We used her for 3 and 1/2 days in April'06.She met us at the airport, dtove us around town for 1 hour for about 750 Baht and returned before dinner and returned after dnner for 2 hours to visit a night market and walked with us.I think the first day about cost us only 1200 Baht. The 10-11hour days were about 3500 Baht a day with gas and tip.

I've seen a day tour on SK website that does an elephant farm with ride, and a river raft as well as village etc. Has anyone done this tour by any chance? I was wondering which elephant park it went to, and also the general quality of everything, is it a bit tacky or touristy?

Thanks in advance.

I believe if you specify that want Sergeant Kai himself, he'll try to accommodate you or let you know if he can't.

We've used Sergeant Kai & Poon, and though Poon is very nice and good for shopping locales, Sergeant Kai is also a lovely person, with a great sense of humor, excellent English and really can take you to interesting off the beaten track places (e.g. hilltribes, country markets, etc) as well as the usual sights. We cannot recommend him highly enough.