just back from Thailand
 

We just got back from 2 weeks in Thailand. We had a great time and I want to thank all those here on the forum who helped us in our planning. I will post a full report on my web page, but right now, here is a capsule summary of the highlights.

We spent 5+ days in the north - 3 nights in Chiang Mai, and 3 nights in Chiang Rai. Cherry was our guide the whole time in the north. She was great and she and gal (with whom I was in touch via email) were great help in our planning. In CR, we stayed at the Wiang Inn, and in CM we stayed at the Pornping Tower. Both hotels were fine, but their locations were excellent - right in the center of both towns.

After the north we spent 4 days on Phuket. We stayed at the Club Andaman in Patong beach. Patong was all we expected - noisy, raucus, chaotic, but that's what we wanted to see - Phuket at its best and worst. We did the John Gray "Hongs by Starlight" sail and it was great. We also did a tour of the island with a driver, Mr. Chai, who was helpful and who provided us with a nice day for 1000 BHT for the 2 of us.

After Phuket, we spent 4+ days in bangkok. We stayed at the Phatumwan Princess, a great hotel which provides 5 star service at 4 star prices. it's also directly connected to ther BMK and is great for anyone who wants to be connected intravenously to Bangkok shopping.
In Bangkok, we did one day with a guide named Buay. She was great but I have to mention Tan, the first guide I was in contact with. I was in contact with Tan for several months before the trip and she was a great help to me. Since she wasn't available on the day we wanted to do the tour, she arranged for Buay. Tan came to our hotel to meet us and we chatted for over an hour and I can highly recommend both Tan and Buay if you are looking for a guide in Bangkok. For those who want a clear speaking guide, Tan's English is excellent.

I will be happy to provide more details on request, and as I said above, the full report will be on my web page in about a month.

http://www.travel.stv77.com/

I wish you could have enjoyed Club Andaman in better days. The gardens used to go all the way down to the beach road which now is that mall place, complete with Sheesh kebab food and that Rock place.
I've been in Phuket since mid week and...well....more later, glad overall you had a good time.

Glad you had a wonderful time. Look forward to your full report. Penalty avoided.

So... when's your NEXT trip to Thailand??? lol Are you "hooked" like so many of us are?

Glad the trip was so nice for you. I'm glad you were happy with your accomodations. I'll be staying close to Patumwan Princess in another two weeks... I'm at Patumwan House. I've stayed there before. It's also very close to MBK... but not quite what I'd call "connected intravenously to shopping"... I LOVED that description...

Carol

Although we spent a lot of time in BMK, we were most inmpressed by the Paragon. So many nice places to eat a simple meal, both Thai style or western, as well as the ultra modern gourmet supermarket. We spent a lot of time there.

great report...look forward to reading the blog....please notify us when it is up and ready..

looking forward to the expanded report. On our first trip to Thailand, we ended up at the Pornping Tower (having fled the totally over-rated River-View Lodge which Nancy Chandler has made so famous)....anyway, for the $30.00 per night...back then...we had a perfectly adequate, bug free room at PPT...pool was lovely, and the hotel has a jazzed up feel...right in the middle of the action. I'm sure it's a tad worn, but I would definately consider it for those on a tighter budget.

In the north we saved and in the south we spent what we saved in the north. The Pornping was OK, but the best thing about it was its super location right near the night bazaar. We could eat there, shop there, watch the dancers, and on the way back to the hotel get a foot massage - very convenient!

for gal