Taking the cue from a few other posters, I decided to engage Tong for a day trip out of Bangkok.

Easily the best decision I made for the holidays.

Tong turned up exactly at 6.30 as agreed, and drove us in her new Toyota Wish to the floating market.

Along the way she pointed out the salt farms, and stopped briefly at the banjarong factory.

The floating market was fascinating - we bought some fruit and could not resist buying the odd souvenirs.

From there we drove to Kanchanaburi. Just next to the Kwae Bridge, Tong organized lunch at a floating market. Absolutely the best Thai food we ever had. Genuine robust local flavors. I had Tong pick the dishes for us - threatening to throw her into the river should the dishes fail to deliver.

Tong later pretended to give us some tidbits to eat - in reality fish food to feed the fish teaming in the water next to the restaurant. Caught the mischevious glint in her eye and did not fall for her prank.

She then drove us to Krasae Cave for a spectacular view of the river ravine. And then to an elephant park for a trek through the jungle and river. Again most enjoyable.

On the way out we spotted a monkey standing next to a sign by the road which said: 'Do not feed monkeys' (!!) - obviously hoping for handouts from travellers, but a poor choice of place to do so.

And a snake...

After that we paid a short visit to the tiger temple - somewhat underwhelming.

Then back to Bangkok passing fascinating countryside, and pomelo farms at the outskirt of the city.

Tong was more than just a driver-guide. She was a great travel companion with heaps of local knowledge, and possessing of a delightful, bubbly personality. During the trip we conversed over a range of subjects.

She did not just meet our high expectation - she exceeded it. May her tribe increase!

Super. We've booked her for two days in August, and we are so pleased to read your positive report. We can't wait!

Thanks for the info. Do you recall how much she charged for the trip? Hourly charge?

She charges 3000 bahts for 10 hours, then 300 for each additional hour. This excludes gasoline - which I think she calculates to be one baht for each kilometre.
These do not include extrance fees, boat hire fees, etc.

Correction - mileage charge is 3 bahts for each kilometre. In our case that worked out to be 1300 bahts.

We've booked her in November after reading the great references on this forum. We're hoping for a trip about an hour north of BKK to Ang Thon.

the mileage cost is getting pretty stiff....ratt always charged 1 B per kilometer...cost of gas??

Tong drives a larger toyota wish - tight fit for 7 passengers ('asian size') or very spacious for 5 (or cavernous for 3).
For a trip that covered the floating market, then north west to Kanchanaburi, the mileage charge of 1300 bahts (when converted to our dollars) is very reasonable.

Good grief Bob!

Haven't gas prices gone up in your neck of the woods?
Just to keep you up to speed Ratt has been charging 2baht/km and is moving up to 3 and she has a MUCH smaller car.

And isn't 1300 baht around $35? That's not even a tank of gas.

gas in boston hovers around $1 per gallon

What does gas cost per gallon in BKK?

degas--gas in Bkk is about 30 baht/liter, supposed to go up 3 baht tomorrow.

Yes, Ratt is 2Baht/km out of Bangkok (non in town-15 mile radius or so), 2500/10 or even 11 hour day(she does not count closely) and 1500 for 1/2 day (5-6 hours). Trip to airport 350 Baht-no gas charge. I would not have anyone pick you up. Take a Premier taxi-larger comfortable well A/C carwith lots of trunk space-not limo and cost about 600Baht and they are readily available 7AM-9PM with NO wait to any in city hotel and will take expressway if you request and reduces trip.
But, as I have said in earlier posts we loved Ratt's attention to detail and desire to please manner-would not let me carry a think and cooled off car when we took a short walk in the heat and was where we expected her to be at the time she promised. Her only weakness was her spoken English was just o'k, Tong's may be better, I just do not know, but Ratt's comprehension was quite good.

Stan

Would you be kind enough to post Ratt's and Tong's contact details on this thread.

Kup Koon!

S

Tong's is

[email protected]

Thanks. Are they part of a company or private drivers?

S

Ratt has her own company www.ratservice.com
Tong used to work for her (still does?) but is solo, for now at least.