We will be arriving in Bangkok at 5:30am from the nonstop LAX flight. Usually when we arrive I make us hit the ground running, but have promised the family not to do that after this long plane flight. I promised them spa time and to take things slow the first day.

We will be travelling with our kids ages 15 and 12 and will be staying at the Peninsula. Unfortunately, they do not allow anyone under 16 in their spa (actually a bit of a relief - spa treatment for the 4 of us would be a bit high!) I have looked into Face and they will allow the kids, but after seeing the directions to get there, I am not thinking that would be the calm entry to Bangkok everyone was looking for.

Is there anywhere near the Pen we could all go to that would not be hard to get to?? Also, thinking in the afternoon of doing Jim Thompson House, and then maybe a Klong Tour in the early evening before dinner. ( I can't possibly let us laze around all day!!)

Is it easy to get to the Jim Thompson House? This would be after some spa/relaxation time.

Is a Klong tour in the evening a good idea or is daytime better?

The next two days we will be with Tong and then one last day on our own.

Don't plan too much activity on your first day as you will undoubtedly be jet lagged towards the late afternoon. I would say swim and relax at the hotel- maybe ride the Penn Boats over to the Oriental Hotel and walk around that area.

You can contact the Mandara Spa at the Royal Orchid Sheraton. This will be pricey as well.

jgg-
Remind me when you are going? We are also a family of four traveling to Thailand with kids 15 and 13. We are going LAX to BKK on June 1.

i agree with bill....

go to the hotel and rest a bit....parents go to the spa...the kids can be at the pool right outside the spa door...

it gets dark in bkk about 6 so the klong thing is out...do it another day in the afternoon---more activity at that time of day....they will pick you up at the hotel---ask the boat man to arrange it...~400-600 B per hour per boat....the kids should love it...

have a nice dinner at the penn...ether the buffet or the chinese on the lower level....

maybe take the boat over to river city for some initial shopping--runs hourly from the hotel...

there is a massage place near to river city...get off the boat and walk out to the street....turn right and walk to the end (the portugese embassy is there). turn left and walk about 1/2 way down the block....the gallery rest. is there....upstairs is a good massage place--not a spa....

you can take the skytrain to the jim thompson house....go to the national stadium stop (end of the line)....look overhead for the small directional sighs....i think it is exit 4??? that takes you down to the street....turn right from the stairs and take the first soi to the left....JTH is at the end of that soi.....alternatively take a taxi there....probably cheaper than 4 skytrain tickets...

good restaurant at the JT house...great for lunch...there is a small shop there also....make sure to go to his main store also for best selection...

Thanks for all the great advice. Sounds like we should just relax at the Penn for awhile, then head to Jim Thompson for a nice lunch and tour the house. This will help me feel like we atleast saw something!! If up for it we could do some shopping (always a favorite pasttime!!) I like the idea of just having dinner at the Pen and making it an easy night.

rhkmk - you mentioned the skytrain to Jim Thompson or just taking a taxi. I keep hearing about how slow the taxis can be and generally faster to take the skytrain. Would this be true from Pen to Jim Thompson house?

AmyH - we leave LAX-BKK on March 20. We are doing BKK, Anatara Golden Triangle and Siem Reap - how about you?

Sorry for the confusion. That last post was really me. My daughter is planning a trip for us in June and has her own screen name and I forgot to log her out and log me in!!

taxis are often unpredictable---but i use them all the time...and yes going there could create some problems...it depends on how the driver routes you...

on your first day i would take the taxi....too hot otherwise and too tired!! it probably will cost less than $5...

Remember you have 4 people in your party- each person may react differently regarding when jet lag hits them - some may not feel it while others may start to drop by mid to late afternoon- you just don't know. Again don't get too far from the hotel and observe your group- chances are one or two of them are going to be dragging by the afternoon. Plan an early dinner as you all may be snoozing by 6-7 pm and not wake up till the next morning.