Last minute Bangkok Chiang Mai advice
 

OK, I carefully composed something and then--poof! Where did it go?

A few last minute questions on trip to Thailand:

Any suggestions for places to find /look at "reasonably" priced contemporary art (hundreds, not thousands) in Chiang Mai and Bangkok?

We are only in Bangkok and CM for a few days each. Should we still buy Nancy Chandler maps?

Should we arrange a driver from BKK to Millenium Hilton or take a cab? Conversely on early morning departure fromf Hilton to airport should we have driver?

Any suggestions for evening cooking school in Chiang Mai?

Leaving in a week, here's our itinerary:

BKK arrive in middle of the night, me from SF, daughter from two weeks in India. Stay at Novotel BKK. Next morning driver to

Ko Samet, Le Virmarm for a couple of days of r & r

Fly to Chiang Rai for three days at Anantara

Drive to Chiang Mai for two days in Chiang Mai

Fly to Angkor for four days

Back to BKK for 36 hours (sadly short, but better than nothing!) 1 day with one of Tong's guides.

So excited!!! Thank you for any thoughts or suggestions.

i personally book a driver in advance for both my arrival and departure....i have used AAC for a number of years, but think i will switch to AOT---at the airport....

especially for the arrival...taxis have only small trunks so a "limo" is better---just a larger sedan...

i would see no real reason for NC map in bkk as you are there for such a short time....but you might want the CM one....they are available at many hotel shops and at asia books all around bkk....

All the cooking schools I know of run classes in the day-time. Typically one class in the morning and another in the afternoon. Frankly, you don't have enough time in Chiang Mai to even think of doing this.

A number of hotels have very light-weight cooking classes, sometimes for free to guests. You might have better luck going for one of these on Samet or Chiang Rai.

If there are three of you heading to the hotel at once, then you probably are better off using the airport's "limo" service. There's no need to arrange this in advance. You'll most likely be assaulted by their representatives while you're waiting for your bags.

Thank you! Where would I find AOT?

AOT has a desk just as you leave the baggage claim area at BKK.

AOT is the airport limo service. They're the ones that will 'harass' you as your waiting for your bag. They're owned by the airport, so they're the only ones allowed in the baggage claim area. If you miss them, then as Kathie says there's a desk right outside customers, but BEFORE you wade into the throng of touts waiting outside customs.

i seem to remember a posting about an evening cooking school in chiang mai about a year ago???

This blog gives good info on cooking classes in Chiang Mai:

http://www.thai-blogs.com/index.php/...ng_mai?blog=23

hi Carolp

delighted your going to the Anantara in Chiang Rai - we're up for our 4th stay this year and are already planning the 2010 holiday.
If you are not aware, then make sure you book up a 1 day mahout course with the ele's. Its an experience you will not regret. Let me know if you'd like more info.
cheers
bfg