Kanchanaburi?
Jul 13th, 2009, 01:18 AM
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Kanchanaburi?
Hi all,
After being in Thailand twice within the past 3 years, I just spontaneously booked tickets to take my son to Thailand for two weeks during the summer holidays.
we've decided to split our time between BKK and Pukhet, - rather have a more relaxed time rather than jam the north in as well (and we were just there last year too).
On my first Thailand trip, my husband and I booked Cherry for a wonderful day tour to Kanchanaburi (floating market, tiger temple and River Kwai et al.)
My question is, is it worthwhile to take my son to Kanchanaburi this time around...? I wouldnt hire a private guide since we are on a tighter budget this time, but I wonder if I should try to spend more time in Kanch. - perhaps spend an overnight there?
my son is 12 and I dont know how interested he would be in all the WWII memorial issues, but is it well worth the extra time there of an overnight, or just book a group day tour from BKK?
what is the town of Kanchanaburi like? should we just bus out there on our own, pre-book a hotel and hire a local guy to take us to a few places...??
I would really love some input and opinions... worthwhile, or just not worth the hassle of packing up, and checking in/out of our BKK hotel....
Thanks all...!!!
After being in Thailand twice within the past 3 years, I just spontaneously booked tickets to take my son to Thailand for two weeks during the summer holidays.
we've decided to split our time between BKK and Pukhet, - rather have a more relaxed time rather than jam the north in as well (and we were just there last year too).
On my first Thailand trip, my husband and I booked Cherry for a wonderful day tour to Kanchanaburi (floating market, tiger temple and River Kwai et al.)
My question is, is it worthwhile to take my son to Kanchanaburi this time around...? I wouldnt hire a private guide since we are on a tighter budget this time, but I wonder if I should try to spend more time in Kanch. - perhaps spend an overnight there?
my son is 12 and I dont know how interested he would be in all the WWII memorial issues, but is it well worth the extra time there of an overnight, or just book a group day tour from BKK?
what is the town of Kanchanaburi like? should we just bus out there on our own, pre-book a hotel and hire a local guy to take us to a few places...??
I would really love some input and opinions... worthwhile, or just not worth the hassle of packing up, and checking in/out of our BKK hotel....
Thanks all...!!!
Jul 13th, 2009, 04:45 AM
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The town of Kanchanaburi is jam packed with hotels and guesthouses aimed at the BKK weekender market. It does get VERY busy at weekends with partying students when it does get very noisy mainly from the party boats going up and down the river. If you do decide to go, tr to make it midweek.
Jul 13th, 2009, 04:59 AM
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yeah, we'd make it midweek for sure... (will be heading down to the islands for the weekend...)
just trying to figure out if we should just day trip or spend a night there... and is it worth the hassle for only one night?
just trying to figure out if we should just day trip or spend a night there... and is it worth the hassle for only one night?
Jul 13th, 2009, 05:50 AM
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I guess the real question is whether your son would enjoy Kanchanaburi. You've been there. Did you do/see things he'd enjoy? What would it be like without a private guide? Remember, a group day tour will give basic info about the commonly visited sites and will not have the time or attention to take extra time somewhere or skip some things. I think you are the one in the best position to judge whether your son would enjoy the trip.
Jul 13th, 2009, 05:51 AM
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On balance I would say it is not worth an overnight stay. We used it as a base when driving around the national parks to the north. Would your 12 year old like a trip on a train? If so check out http://www.kanchanaburi-info.com/en/train.html it is a relatively short ride and makes anice change from driving.
Jul 13th, 2009, 11:11 AM
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wow, thanks you guys!! I happened to love Kanchanaburi because I love history.. however, I've seen the historical sites only 3 yrs ago, and I dont think he'd be that enthralled by it all...
- and Since none of you said Kanchanaburi trip should be made even without the historical excitement - i.e. not that amazing, I guess we will pass on it...!
How far of a trip is is just to the floating market and the tiger temple? can I do those in half a day with a private taxi?
- and Since none of you said Kanchanaburi trip should be made even without the historical excitement - i.e. not that amazing, I guess we will pass on it...!
How far of a trip is is just to the floating market and the tiger temple? can I do those in half a day with a private taxi?
Jul 13th, 2009, 11:54 AM
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FireDragon.
We loved Kanchanaburi and so did the kids. It is an extremely friendly place and an overnight stay allows you to experience a night on the River in a guesthouse, the local market and gives you time to take your 12 year old to the Elephant baths.
Have a look at the link below for some of our photos from our recent trip. Also note that the market is closed on Wednesday night so plan your trip around that.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/38802197@N04/
We loved Kanchanaburi and so did the kids. It is an extremely friendly place and an overnight stay allows you to experience a night on the River in a guesthouse, the local market and gives you time to take your 12 year old to the Elephant baths.
Have a look at the link below for some of our photos from our recent trip. Also note that the market is closed on Wednesday night so plan your trip around that.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/38802197@N04/
Jul 13th, 2009, 01:51 PM
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its about a hour and 1/2 to 2 hours to the floating market....i do think your son would be wild about the secret place with tong, where you get to feed monkeys in the wild from a boat in a unique spot... the two places above can be combined for a full day
Jul 14th, 2009, 02:26 AM
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Shanek, Thanks for your info.. I loved your pictures and even found and enjoyed your trip report...!
BTW - is there a way to message you directly on Fodors?
we arrive in BKK on monday early aftertnoon... If we work out a trip similar to yours - and include the monkey feeding that rhkkmk mentioned (thanks for that!) We can do that on Tuesday and perhaps spend the night in Kanchanaburi. How would we get back to BKK on Wednesday? can we just hire a Taxi? what would that cost us?
Also - do you mind if I ask how much Tong charged for the tour? 3 years ago we paid Cherry 200 USD for the day (if i recall correctly), though I am on a tighter budget this time and dont want to spend so much now... (note: Cherry was amazing)
How do I get in touch with Tong?
If we're to stay on the river for the night, are there places to stay that are not as simple? perhaps something like 3 star... kinda to ensure we have a decent shower, electricity and hot water etc...? Any recommendations would be appreciated.
I actually found this hotel online, but I have no idea where is is location-wise... any input would be appreciated!
http://atsiam.com/hotels/kanchanabur...t_thailand.asp
I also have one more general question. this is my first time going to Thailand without my husband. i.e. just my 12 yr old and me. I always found thailand to be rather safe, though last time we went with our boy I was very cautious with him and kept him in our site at all times.
Do I have to be concerned about taking a taxi inter-city? meaning the fact that its just us (I look quite young, and am petite)... I am a bit nervous... please advise...!
Thanks you all.. I really appreciate the info and opinions... would love to have something nice to do Tues/Wed.
we have plans for Thursday (local BKK) and will be heading down to Pukhet on Friday.
looking forward to some replies!!
~ Fire
BTW - is there a way to message you directly on Fodors?
we arrive in BKK on monday early aftertnoon... If we work out a trip similar to yours - and include the monkey feeding that rhkkmk mentioned (thanks for that!) We can do that on Tuesday and perhaps spend the night in Kanchanaburi. How would we get back to BKK on Wednesday? can we just hire a Taxi? what would that cost us?
Also - do you mind if I ask how much Tong charged for the tour? 3 years ago we paid Cherry 200 USD for the day (if i recall correctly), though I am on a tighter budget this time and dont want to spend so much now... (note: Cherry was amazing)
How do I get in touch with Tong?
If we're to stay on the river for the night, are there places to stay that are not as simple? perhaps something like 3 star... kinda to ensure we have a decent shower, electricity and hot water etc...? Any recommendations would be appreciated.
I actually found this hotel online, but I have no idea where is is location-wise... any input would be appreciated!
http://atsiam.com/hotels/kanchanabur...t_thailand.asp
I also have one more general question. this is my first time going to Thailand without my husband. i.e. just my 12 yr old and me. I always found thailand to be rather safe, though last time we went with our boy I was very cautious with him and kept him in our site at all times.
Do I have to be concerned about taking a taxi inter-city? meaning the fact that its just us (I look quite young, and am petite)... I am a bit nervous... please advise...!
Thanks you all.. I really appreciate the info and opinions... would love to have something nice to do Tues/Wed.
we have plans for Thursday (local BKK) and will be heading down to Pukhet on Friday.
looking forward to some replies!!
~ Fire
Jul 14th, 2009, 03:59 AM
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I felt quite safe in Thailand and don't think you will have a problem there. As for the tour with Tong - I agree that your son would love that. Since you indicated that you are on a budget, you may want to ask Tong what she would charge if you skipped the seafood lunch at the Secret Place and opted for something less expensive. Have fun.
Jul 14th, 2009, 05:24 PM
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www.tourwithtong.com is her website.....
she is just as good as cherry imo.....i love them both...
i think the drive from kanch. to bkk is 2-3 hours?? its a long ways...
she is just as good as cherry imo.....i love them both...
i think the drive from kanch. to bkk is 2-3 hours?? its a long ways...
Jul 14th, 2009, 05:51 PM
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Hi FireDragon,
A full day with Tong will be around 5000 baht inclusive of transport from BKK-Kburi and return. It was a little more for us but we needed a van as there were 4 of us and lots of luggage. We only used her one way but as she had to return to Bkk we still paid the return trip, which was fine by us.
You could get a taxi to take you to K'buri, one way for around 2000-2500 baht and the same the other way, but there were things that we did with Tong that would have been no where near as good without her. She was also the one that took all thoose fantastic photos of us with the Elephants. She will stop to feed some monkeys but it is not the same as what Bob is talking about as that is in another direction.
The Felix Resort is a place that you may like to have a look at. It is well situated and of a reasonable standard. When we return, however, we will go back to the VN Guesthouse, it is a bit spartan, but for 400 baht a night inc Hot water and Air-con it was a bargain and we loved the atmosphere there. It was also very close to the night market.
A full day with Tong will be around 5000 baht inclusive of transport from BKK-Kburi and return. It was a little more for us but we needed a van as there were 4 of us and lots of luggage. We only used her one way but as she had to return to Bkk we still paid the return trip, which was fine by us.
You could get a taxi to take you to K'buri, one way for around 2000-2500 baht and the same the other way, but there were things that we did with Tong that would have been no where near as good without her. She was also the one that took all thoose fantastic photos of us with the Elephants. She will stop to feed some monkeys but it is not the same as what Bob is talking about as that is in another direction.
The Felix Resort is a place that you may like to have a look at. It is well situated and of a reasonable standard. When we return, however, we will go back to the VN Guesthouse, it is a bit spartan, but for 400 baht a night inc Hot water and Air-con it was a bargain and we loved the atmosphere there. It was also very close to the night market.
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