Hello,

We will be in Thailand mid-November but only have 5 days. We arrive in Bangkok at 6:30 a.m. local time on a Thursday and must be at the airport at 4:00 pm the following Tuesday.

Is it best to stick to Bangkok and do day trips or can we do Arrival Day plus the next in Bangkok and then go to Chiang Mai for 2 days and back to Bangkok?

We would like to see the cultural side, the river tours and do elephant rides.


Any recommendation would be appreciated.


Thank you

Thanks GeminiRising

What an interesting idea. I did not consider it but will look into this as a day trip

BTW, I did not realize that I pressed a wrong button -- thought I pressed Submit only -- oh well!

Any opinions as to where to do best elephant rides? Kanchanaburi? Ayutthaya or Khao Yai National Park?


cheers

I thunk you can do CM in 2 days, sure it's rushed and you wil be busy but it can be done.
However, I would stick in the BKK area. The Shangri la do a day trip to Ayutthya , there by coach back by boat, that could be a nice day trip! ( you don't have to be staying at the SL to do the trip)

I agree that you should stick with Bangkok (and side trips) and not take the extra time required to fly to/from Chiang Mai for a couple of days, even though I always like CM.

You might also consider visiting Ayuthaya on a day trip for temple ruins. You can take a boat roundtrip, or go by a bus/boat/van combination.

Bangkok has more than enough to keep you busy during your entire stay in Thailand.

Carol

" I think" not thunk....

with a short trip only i would not use one valuable day going to AY....

OK everyone,

Thanks -- it seems a lot including friends say to stick to Bangkok -- so hopefully we can come back on another trip and see the rest of the country.

Will look into the side trips.

cheers

Since your only there for a short stay make sure you try and fit all the tourist things in such as the Floating Markets, we did this in the morning and then hopped on a cruise back along the river which was a relaxing and great way to sight see outside of Bangkok. Most hotels will be able to organise these things for you or log onto Viator.com for some great deals and ideas. We use them wherever we go and have never had any trouble!

One person's must-see is another's tourist trap. Get yourself a good guidebook, this will help you decide what you might like.

My must-see list includes the Grand Palace/Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Wat Po, and the Jim Thompson House. Other places, depending on your interests, The Prasart Museum (a private Museum outside of Bangkok, must call for reservations), many other wats such as Wat Suthat, Wat Arun, etc, The Erawan Shrine, The Suan Pakkard Palace.

My list of tourist traps includes the floating markets and the Rose Garden and snake farm.

And I'd always opt for a local agent to make arrangements rather than viator. But viator can give you an idea of a top price. Locally, you can get tours or transport for less.

hi all,

well im also gonna visit Bangkok with my girl friend as from the past year and a half we were saving money for this trip hoping this trip will stand to or expectation. . any recommendation for cheap travelling, shelter, and no cost cuttings on food and beverages because this is land for food lovers. please help me, waiting for your rplies.

I agree. Best to cut out middle-men whenever possible, especially if the savings isn't substantial. I've found that it makes for less confusion, and, in the case of smaller establishments and tour operations, sometimes a warmer relationship with my hosts.

Charles, please post your question as a separate post, as it will get lost on this thread. Give us a little background - when are you going? how long? what do you want to do/see/experience on this trip?

Hello all,

I had not read the posts for a couple of days - work sometimes gets in the way !!

Thanks for the tips -- a lot of the places are on my list including the old capital of Ayutthaya. . Someone also recommended a day trip to Kanchanaburi -- re elephants and the WWII history. Any thoughts.

We would love to see a show of Thai dance as well as getting a thai massage ( the legitimate type) which I heard are great. I gather the hotels can recommend where to go. I read that there is a massage school at Wat Po -- I wonder if you can just get a massage there without taking a course. Would this be the best place to go???

cheers