If I am going to spend time in the Chiang Mai area, is there any reason to spend a day trip going to Kanchanaburi while in Bangkok? I only have 3 and a half days in BKK and 5 in Chiang mai.

i don't see the connection ??

We chose to spend one of our 3 days doing Kanchanaburi for a number of reasons, including historical and the tiger conservatory. We booked a tour through "Cherry aviram" <[email protected]> and are looking forward to the trip. Email exchanges have been full of good suggestions.

Bob - I think what koala is asking is should she 'give up' one of her Bangkok days to visit Kanchanaburi when, presumably, she is seeing more rural areas of the country when in Chiang Mai already.

Koala - do you have particular interest in the 2nd World War or links to men who worked on the Death Railway? If so, then I think the day is of real interest. The focus of most daily tours is a visit to the Museum, Cemetary, ride on the Death Railway, visit to the bridge. We did enjoy it but John is a historian and I knew a man who was there in the war building the railway so had a more personal interest. I found it sobering and quite shocking as I had not read up on it much in advance.. There are crosses remembering many British men in the cemetary so we paid our respects to them. I think there are many for Australian men also.

However, it is quite a long day trip to see these places. We spent a couple of nights there whilst we were there and I think more enjoyment lies when you can spend some time overnight in the area as it is very beautiful and tranquil staying down on the river. We didn't visit the tigers though so can't comment on that.

What is it that has prompted your interest in Kanchanaburi? Why have you suddenly thought it might be a place to visit?

Without that info there's no point in framing a reply.

I was getting quotes on daytrips to the floating market and a few of them suggested spending the remaining time visiting Kanchanaburi. I'm not much of a history buff especially when it comes to war (unfortunately too depressing). Other than that all I had heard was there was the pretty scenery. So I was wondering if there were other sights there that were worth the visit. I was not aware of the Tiger preserve, and we like animals. Would it be worth the ride all the way there for that, or would I best return to BKK and see more there with the limited time I have? We plan on doing hiking and such up in Northern Thailand. Again Thank you all for your help.

Well I wish you all the best. But it beats me that anyone could travel to another country and only be interested in animals.

Sorry - had to be said. Different strokes and all that.

With a mere threee and a half days in Bangkok, you'll barely scratch the surface of things to do there. Since it sounds like you have very little interest in Kanchanaburi, I'd recommend you spend the time in Bangkok.

Jeez, fuzzylogic, go easy on Koala! She didn't say she was only interested in animals.

Koala, due to yoru limited time in Bangkok I would spend the rest of your afternoon exploring Bangkok. We were just there in Feb. for 6 nights and I am ready to spend another week there! it is a huge city with so much to offer!

Good luck with your planning!

Cheers!

Tamara

One day in Kanchanaburi is not going to do much, if you were to go there then I'd say Erawan Falls is a must see but you'd need 2 days I would think. Personally, Bangkok is my least favourite city I've been to but I don't know if it'll be worth your while to go to Kanachanburi though. Also, don't under-estimate how much you can see in Bangkok because of the traffic, smog, heat, etc it's very exhausting especially with the time difference. Just enjoy Bangkok as much as you can - see the other not so popular wats (temples), go for massages, shopping, etc. I stayed in the flower market - not exceptional. There's an antique market a little outside of Bangkok if you're into that stuff as well.

Thank you again for all of your input. I have decided to spend the afternoon after the floating market back in bangkok.

I must say I am a little surprised by some of the lashing out at newcomers on this forum. I don't think in anyway that I have displayed uninterest in Thailand as a whole or the culture, infact that is one of my primary reasons for visiting. I am simply not that connected to "War History". Sounds like Fuzzylogic picked that name for a reason.

Thanks again to everyone else for you help, I tend to be very indecisive at times.

ignor fuzzy, she/he has been rude to a number of people on this forum....the rest of us are fun and try to help...

you will love your trip...i think you will be happy to return to bkk that day, btw

I guess I'm over sensitive when people mention tripping for a day to Kanchanaburi without showing any sign of knowing what happened there.

Mea culpa.

And re references to my name - will someone (other than me) kindly supply a definition of 'fuzzy logic'.

how about unable to see things clearly

No fuzzy logic is not that! It is in fact a serious branch of computer programming that has many practical applications.

A simple example; if you were driving from A to B and had the choice of going via C or D and used a rigid logical computer programme with access to traffic congestion levels to decide on the faster route it might tell you to go via C. Then as you approached C it might decide that congestion levels were such that it was quicker via D, so tell you to make a U turn. As you approached D it could then decide you should do a U turn back to C. This is unlikely to make you happy and it therefore is better to use a programme that utilizes fuzzy logic.

Washing machines also use fuzzy logic.

as an admittedly still-fumbling thailand trip-planner i have appreciated the calm encouragement and indulgence of folks here and also felt a little sting when i read fuzzy logic's responses. many of us are posting because we have new-found excitement at having made a firm decision to visit thailand and to get our preparations underway. just because our research and itinerary-planning is a work in progress, doesn't mean we haven't already formed a personal, well-founded decision to go. if it's only for self-proclaimed experts, perhaps we'd do well to not even attempt a border crossing or, for that matter, seeking advice here? we admit we're all over the map - so to speak - and want some help clarifying things. i've been reading and reading, but travel books can sometimes make it difficult to tease out the realities on the ground, or even to appreciate the significance of a site, especially with so many new names and words getting jumbled together, at least for the uninitiated.

fuzzy logic? how about lacking in clear reasoning ability, because it's not reasonable to hold us to the standards of those "in the know." if this "club" is exclusive, no one told me.

koala, good luck with your planning. i'd be interested in the underpinnings of you're decision to spend the bulk of your trip in chiang mai.

fuzzy is somewhat new to this forum, imo..

we do have a core group and it is not part of that group...

we aim to assist everyone, and ourselves, with travel planning and question answering...

keep your questions coming but do your homework too....

I feel that people are over sensitive. If a poster offends you, just ignore.

koala and others - hope you can ignore fuzzy's comments. Occasionally there are posters who make unnecessarily 'spiky' and unexplained barbed comments but it is rare. I think some people take out their daily gripes on the forum - much easier to hide behind an anonymous pseudonym! Think it is a bit sad really...most people on this board will go out of their way to be helpful, so ask away and don't worry about the minority

Thai Volunteer, I like you enjoy snorkeling and kayaking, and do plan to spend 3.5 days in the south (Krabi area), but since this was my first trip to Thailand, and I am a true nature lover, I wanted to spend 5 days in Chiang Mai (hiking, rafting, elephant riding, ect.) Plus it's a lot cheaper to stay there than elsewhere. We are also not big city people when it comes to vacation, kind of like to get away and slow the pace down a bit. After doing more reading though, I suspect that if we come back to Thailand some day, we will spend much more time in BKK due to the multitudes of things to do and see.