First Time to Thailand
 

I will be making my first trip alone to Asia with a 10 day trip to Bangkok the first of February. Since I had a short time I decided to dedicate it to one area and go independently thanks to all your encouragement. Please help with a couple of suggestions. My plans are:

Day 2 - Arrive BKK at 11pm
Day 3 - Free day in case jet lag and exploring
Day 4 - Have Tong reserved for City Tour
Day 5 - Tong to Secret Place Tour
Day 6 - Bus independently to Kanchanaburi and see River Kwai Bridge, memorials and railway - O/N in Kanchanaburi
Day 7 - Tour to Erawan Falls and Hellfire Pass - O/N in Kanchanaburi
Day 8 - AM bus back to BKK with afternoon exploring
Day 9 - Tour China Town, Floating Markets, etc.
Day 10 - Open to suggestions
Day 11 - Fly Home

Open to any suggestions. My next trip will be 2 weeks dedicated to Northern Thailand. I have been reading post for a few months and decided to reserve Tong early before she was booked up.
Thanks for any help to make my trip more memorable.

Arizona Shy Guy

It'll be a great trip! I like your plan to use Bangkok as a base and explore some of the surrounding area. You are spending more time in Kanchanburi than I would, but it sounds like you have specific things you want to do and see in the area.

As I look at your plan for Bangkok, you have two full dats reserved with tong and three full days on your own. Don't get too caught up in planning for those days on your own - you'll find plenty to do once you get there. Some of my favorite places (some of which you'll no doubt see with Tong): Grand Palace/Emerald Buddha/Wat Po; Jim Thompson House; Erawan Shrine, riding the water taxis on the river and perhaps a klong tour. I consider all of these must-do stops. Other things to think about, depending on your interests: some of the other house museums (Suan Pakkard, for instance), Prasart Museum (you must make a reservation and you'll need a driver to get there), lots of various wats (as soon as you get off the tourist track, you'll be the only westerner there), making merit at Wat Ben (Tong may take you there or another wat to make merit). Of course, there is lots of shopping, great massages, etc.

Have a wonderful time!

Thanks Kathie for your help. I am going to try to bus back to BKK after the Hellfire Pass tour to have a full day the next day. I very much so want to get off the tourist path when I can and I appreciate your suggestions.

ASG-looks like you have a good plan mapped out. Several small things. When you see Chinatown, go early and take a look at the Flower Market that is nearby. This will provide some pleasant wandering. Also, you can easily do Jim Thompson House, MBK ans Suan Packard House on your own in a day or less.

Sounds like a great plan and it's very good that you're making BK your target point. It's a lot better than flying all over the place and spending more times in airports than actually on relaxing and having a vacation. Have a great trip. Happy Travels!

While you are in Kanchanaburi try to go and see the Tiger Temple.

In my opinion you will not be disappointed.

good trip i think....i would cut my time in Kanch. however....i think if you had two full days there including one overnite, you could do most everything you wanted.....i would then add more time in bkk...

where will you stay in bkk? that can make or break any thai trip

Have not booked a hotel yet. I do travel on a budget and hoping to stay in the $75ish per night range or lower. My philosophy is clean and comfy, not so much luxury, and of course would love to be located close to the Skytrain and subway for convenience.

On my first visit to Bangkok (20 years ago) I did an organised day trip which included a boat trip on the river, visit to a war memorial, a train journey which took us over the old wooden death railway & the River Kwai, a visit to a reconstructed POW camp, stop off for lunch.

I would like to do a similar trip again on my next visit in Jan/Feb as this would be a first for my husband but include an O/N this time.

Do you have a hotel in mind in Kanchanaburi?

Thanks - VHS.

I would also spend less time in Kanchaburi. I did it on an organized 12-hour day tour out of Bangkok and that was plenty for me. I just bought the day tour in Bangkok for about $39/$40 some years ago. The bus came to the hotel and picked me up. There was a small group of people. It was the day before I ended my 3-week solo trip traveling throughout S.E. Asia, so by then I was kind of happy to see/converse with other westerners. Happy Travels!

Hey VHS100 - I am planning on staying at the River Kwai Hotel because its in town. So many of the other hotels are out of town. It seems to fit my criteria of clean and comfortable and about $40ish per night. If anyone knows any better in town close to restaurants and such let me know.

ASG - Thanks, I will take a look at the River Kwai Hotel - sounds as if it will fit my bill too.

It sounds like I did a similar trip to Guenmai, everything in 12 hours. The day went so fast because it was all very interesting but because of the heat it was also exhausting. This time I am happy to make it a slightly more leisurely trip.

Yeah, it was great doing it all in 12 hours and then at the end of a long day returning to Bangkok to my lovely room at the Siam Intercontinental Hotel...which is now the site of Paragon! Happy Travels!