Need Help with Ratt
Nov 27th, 2006, 08:19 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Need Help with Ratt
I am able to book Ratt for Jan22, Feb. 4&5. We arrive (wife and I)late on the 21 on our fist visit to Asia and quite frankly not sure what we should go see with Ratt. I thought it would be nice to have someone show us around for our first full day then venture off on our own for a day and a half, (catching the night train to Chiang Mai on the 24th) We fly to Phuket on the 27th for a week returning to Bkk on the 3Feb.for 4 nights and have Ratt for the 4th & 5th Does she have a fixed itinerary or do we go where ever we want? I know some things are easy to see on our own so am alittle unsure of how to get the best value for our time with Ratt. Any thoughts or help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks......e
Nov 27th, 2006, 08:38 AM
#2
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,897
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Ratt does not have a fixed itinerary but she would be happy to make recommendations. As you probably know, she is a driver, not a guide - she will set you up with a guide at certain attractions if you want. The best use of Ratt is for attractions in Bangkok that you can not easily reach using the skytrain and attractions outside of Bangkok such as the floating market and the Prasart Museum. In Bangkok, this includes the Grand Palace, Wat Po, Wat Arun, the flower market, Teak Mansion, Marble Wat and Suan Packard Palace. The Jim Thompson house and many of the shopping areas are accessible via skytrain. If you have some out-of-the-way shopping to do, Ratt can be very helpful for that also.
Nov 27th, 2006, 10:04 AM
#3
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,242
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We also used Ratt to take us to some shopping venues like the markets. Its nice to have someone ferry you around and not have to schlepp your bags on the trains and boats. Also she can get you a 5% discount at the Nara Phand goverment craft store!
Nov 27th, 2006, 12:07 PM
#4
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,771
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Considering the heat/humidity even to go from one shopping mall to another it is so much more pleasant to go from an A/C car to the entrance of the malls which are also are well air-conditioned. The cost for the day is ~$75 with gratuity for 10-11 hours is worth it unless you do not mind the heat.
If you want to go to an outdoor like the weekend market which is quite interesting on 2/4/07 she can leave you off at a spot and run and park and walk with you through the market. It is so big that with the heat the best time to arrive is 10 AM and be back in Ratt's A/C car by 1 PM. She also helped us not over-pay for several items. She probably paid for several hours of her time just in the savings in our purchases. If you are interested in better quality knock-off watches or handbags you might want to tell her that Stan Kase asked her to take you to the handbag/watch place she took us to. It's also an experience. You need to bargin and offer no more than 50-55% of what he asks. If you buy 3-4 you can get them for ~40% of his original price at least on watches. You can pack them in your luggage and I listed them as novelty watches for a Rolex for $40 is a novelty but I bought several and all but 1 lasted for several years. On our last trip in April 1 of 4 I bought in a market, not this place, did not last but when you get 4 for ~$125 you do not feel cheated. The seller actually often does not know, But ask where was a watch made. If he is truthful and says China those generally are better than those out of Japan 9surprisingf) or Korea or India.
You might want to use Ratt's sister, Poon, for 1-2 days in CM to go to the Eleohant conservancy in Lampang and to the temple Doi Suthep/ Both can be done easily in a day. She can get you to some of the tribe areas on another day but you need to tell Poon you do not want the regular tourist attractions/ The most interesting tribe people are near Chiangi Rai and it is too far to go in one day. If you want to look at the furniture area and also largenimber of antique shops (but buy something you like up to $200USD because you like it for they will tell you it is 18th Century when it is maybe only 75 years old). The area is Hong Dong and is a 45 minute drive from CM center. I hope some of the above helps. Oh yes, one trip in BK not worth doing, though Ratt thinks every American will want to visit is the River Kwai. It is a very long trip and not that interesting, in my opinion.
If you want to go to an outdoor like the weekend market which is quite interesting on 2/4/07 she can leave you off at a spot and run and park and walk with you through the market. It is so big that with the heat the best time to arrive is 10 AM and be back in Ratt's A/C car by 1 PM. She also helped us not over-pay for several items. She probably paid for several hours of her time just in the savings in our purchases. If you are interested in better quality knock-off watches or handbags you might want to tell her that Stan Kase asked her to take you to the handbag/watch place she took us to. It's also an experience. You need to bargin and offer no more than 50-55% of what he asks. If you buy 3-4 you can get them for ~40% of his original price at least on watches. You can pack them in your luggage and I listed them as novelty watches for a Rolex for $40 is a novelty but I bought several and all but 1 lasted for several years. On our last trip in April 1 of 4 I bought in a market, not this place, did not last but when you get 4 for ~$125 you do not feel cheated. The seller actually often does not know, But ask where was a watch made. If he is truthful and says China those generally are better than those out of Japan 9surprisingf) or Korea or India.
You might want to use Ratt's sister, Poon, for 1-2 days in CM to go to the Eleohant conservancy in Lampang and to the temple Doi Suthep/ Both can be done easily in a day. She can get you to some of the tribe areas on another day but you need to tell Poon you do not want the regular tourist attractions/ The most interesting tribe people are near Chiangi Rai and it is too far to go in one day. If you want to look at the furniture area and also largenimber of antique shops (but buy something you like up to $200USD because you like it for they will tell you it is 18th Century when it is maybe only 75 years old). The area is Hong Dong and is a 45 minute drive from CM center. I hope some of the above helps. Oh yes, one trip in BK not worth doing, though Ratt thinks every American will want to visit is the River Kwai. It is a very long trip and not that interesting, in my opinion.
Nov 27th, 2006, 01:11 PM
#6
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,897
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The skytrain is more efficient than sitting in traffic for shopping - save your trips with Ratt for the out-of-the-way places. Since you will have a fairly long time in Bangkok both with and without Ratt, this makes the most sense for you.
Nov 27th, 2006, 04:02 PM
#8
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 6,369
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Here are some of Ratt's itineraries for earlier this year in Bangkok and Chiang Mai with her sister Poon.
You come many day where are going to go? Let me show you some schedule for an Idea. May be you want to see more.
A. at 8:00 AM to The Grand Palace see the emerald Buddha in Wat Phra Kaew, take long tail boat to see the Royal Barge and canal life, then get off at Wat Arun, to Wat Po see the Reclining Buddha, Lunch at Methavalai near by the Democracy Monument, to Teak Wood Mansion (Vimanmek Mansion) see some building there (the ticket of the Grand Palace can take see here), then Jim Thomson’s House
A-1) at 8:00 AM to the Grand Palace, take Long tail boat to see the Royal Barge, canal life and feed fishes, Wat Po, then lunch at Methavalai, Vimanmek, to Jim Thomson’s house, flower market, then dinner while see Sun Set at Wat Arun, shopping at night market, back home.
A-2) At 8:00 AM the Grand Palace, Long tail boat (Royal Barge and canal life), Wat Po, lunch, Vimanmek and Jim Thomson House
B-1) at 5:30 AM to Floating Market at Damnoen Saduak on the way see salt farm, Wat Satthathum (the teak wood temple with mother of peal), Don hoy log (if you are lucky you can see how to pick up warm shell), Wat Bang-Kaa-Noy, Khai (the 3 dimension craving teak wood temple), Bang Kung (historical camp against Burmese army), Benjarong Factory, Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, Royal Thai Handicraft, The elephant show and crocodiles show, the culture shows at Rose Garden
B-2) at 6:30AM to floating market, on the way see salt farm, Wat Sathathum (the craving teak wood with mother of pearl, wat Bang Kae Noi (carving three dimension temple), Kai Bang Khung (where King Tang Sin had taken to be the fort to flight with Burma, Dumnuen Sadok Floating market, Royal Thai Handicraft, Rattana Ko Sin Porcelain, The elephant riding, The Benjarong factory Dinner beside the river waiting time to get dark, take a boat pass by floating night market to see fire fly (floating night market have only Saturday and Sunday only).
B-3) at 7:30 AM hotel->floating market->Royal Thai Handicraft->elephants show & crocodile show->Rose Garden->Hotel
B.-4) at 6:30AM to floating market, on the way see salt farm, Wat Sathathum (the craving teak wood with mother of pearl), wat Bang Kae Noi (carving three dimension temple), Kai Bang Khung (where King Tang Sin had taken to be the fort to flight with Burma), The Benjarong factory, Dumnuen Sadok Floating market, Royal Thai Handicraft, lunch at the elephant show and Crocodiles shows.
B-5) at 6:30 AM to Floating Market at Damnoen Saduak on the way see salt farm, Benjarong Factory, Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, Royal Thai Handicraft, The elephant show and crocodiles show, the culture shows at Rose Garden,
B-6) at 6:30 AM to Floating Market at Damnoen Saduak on the way see salt farm, Benjarong Factory, Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, Royal Thai Handicraft, the Sanam Chan Palace the king Rama 6 Palace, see Thai Dance here and Pha- Patom- Chedi at Nakorn Pathom. Then back to Bangkok to eat Pad-Thai Noodle, see the Grand Palace, Wat Po, and the flower market at night.
B-7) at 7:30AM to Floating Market at Damnoen Saduak on the way see salt farm, Benjarong Factory, Wat Satthathum (the teak wood temple with mother of peal), Don hoy log (if you are lucky you can see how to pick up warm shell), Wat Bang-Kaa-Noy, Khai (the 3 dimension craving teak wood temple), Bang Kung (historical camp against Burmese army), Damnoen Saduak Floating, riding elephant, stay one night at home stay, in the evening take a boat to see night floating market and fire fly(they are a lot like Christmas tree), in the morning monk will lowing a boat a long the canal take food from you, Then to MarketBenjarong Factory, see the Royal Thai Handicraft straight to Kanchanaburi.
C. at 7:00 AM to Kanchanaburi see the museum of war take long tail boat along the River Kwai to the Bridge Over River Qwai, To Sing City, the dead railway (you can walk along the dead railway), have lunch here, riding elephant, take picture with tiger at tiger temper.
C-1) at 7:30 AM to the Bridge Over River Qwai to see the museum of war, take a long tail boat on River Qwai to the Bridge if you want to take The train (around 10:30-11:30) on the dead real way to water fall I will pick you up here then see, the tiger temper then back home
C-2) At 6:30 AM the Museum war of war, the Bridge Over River Qwai, Sing City, Dead Real Way, Lunch here, Riding elephant, the Tiger temple.
C-3) at 6:30 AM to the Museum war of war, the Bridge Over River Qwai, Sing City, Dead Real Way, Lunch here, to The Erawan National Park take you to drive to National Park
CD at 6:30 AM to floating market, Royal Thai Handicraft, the Bridge Over River Qwai, lunch here, museum of war, Sing City, Dead Real way, more than10 hours
E. pick you up at the airport (please look for the one who show you name at the right side of left way out) then by some fast food eat in my car, straight to Ayutthaya will be check in the hotel late afternoon. I can phone to hotel let them keep the room for you.
E-1) At 7:30 to Bang-Pa-in Palace, lunch at Krung Sri Hotel in Ayutthaya, Wat Yai Chai Mong Kol, Wat Chai Wanaram, The elephant Kraal, Wat Pha Mahathat,
And Wat Rach Burana
Schedule in Chiang Mai:-
A ) Elephant Ride. Down River in Bamboo/ Oxen Cart ride/ Elephant show
A-1) Tour the city visit factories in Sankumpang(celadon, silk, silver, umbrella village, bronze), to Doi SuThep see Wat Pha Thad Doi Suthep.
A-2) Mai-ta-marn Elephant camp, Down River in Bamboo/ Oxen Cart ride/ Elephant show,
Shopping at Sankumpang factories.
A-3) Elephant camp at National Park in Lampang (you can riding at the elephant neck but need reservation), shopping at Hang Dong Wood Craving Village.
A-4) Maisa elephant camp see elephant show and painting, monkey school, snack farm, orchid farm, Bunny Jump.
A-5) Some high light temples in town, shopping at Hang Dong Wood Craving Village, to Doi Su Thep see Wat Pha Thad Doi Suthep
A-6) Water hot spring, Nion Cave, Sankumpang factories (celadon, silk, silver, umbrella village, bronze)
A-7) Sight seeing around the city in Chiang Mai, elephant riding, seeing Thai farmer house, sitting water buffalo cart and some temples.
A-8) To Doi Su Thep see Wat Pha Thad Doi Suthep, Phu-Ping Palace, Hill tribe Doi Pui Village.
A-9) On the way Mai Rim rout to Chieng Down Cave, Tha Ton Temple, Long Neck Hill Tribe Village.(will take you around 12 hours)
A-10)Sight seeing around Doi-in-tha-non (the highest Hill of Thailand), see Mai Ya Water Fall.(will take you around 10 hours)
B ) To Chieng Rai at 5:00-6:00AM to Wat Long-Khun, Doi Tung, Ling Cape, Opium Museum, stay one night at Golden Triangle. (Will take you around 14-15 hours)
B-1) Pick up around 5:00-6:00AM to Doi Mai Salong in Chieng Rai, Doi Tung, Mai-Sai. (Will take you around 14-15 hours)
B-2) Pick up around 5:00-6:00AM to Doi Mai Salong, Mai-Sai (Maenma Border)
(Will take you around 14-15 hours)
B-3) Pick up around 5:00-6:00AM to Mae Sai Border, Myanmar, Doi Mae Salong, Green Tea farm and how to me green tea, back to Chiang Mai.(will take you around 14-15 hours)
B-4) pick up at the hotel to Mai Hong Sorn by airplane start around 9:10-9:45, pick Mai Hong Sorn airport to Longneck Cabins, take around the Village, Back to Chiang Mai the same day around 17:15 PM
I will be hearing you more detail,
Best regards,
By her writing you can see how much difficulty you will have with her command of the English language. If she talks too fast for you(and she sometimes does when she gets excited)just ask her tto slow down and she happily will.
She is gracious, sweet, hardworking and best of all, honest.
Hope this helps!
Aloha!
You come many day where are going to go? Let me show you some schedule for an Idea. May be you want to see more.
A. at 8:00 AM to The Grand Palace see the emerald Buddha in Wat Phra Kaew, take long tail boat to see the Royal Barge and canal life, then get off at Wat Arun, to Wat Po see the Reclining Buddha, Lunch at Methavalai near by the Democracy Monument, to Teak Wood Mansion (Vimanmek Mansion) see some building there (the ticket of the Grand Palace can take see here), then Jim Thomson’s House
A-1) at 8:00 AM to the Grand Palace, take Long tail boat to see the Royal Barge, canal life and feed fishes, Wat Po, then lunch at Methavalai, Vimanmek, to Jim Thomson’s house, flower market, then dinner while see Sun Set at Wat Arun, shopping at night market, back home.
A-2) At 8:00 AM the Grand Palace, Long tail boat (Royal Barge and canal life), Wat Po, lunch, Vimanmek and Jim Thomson House
B-1) at 5:30 AM to Floating Market at Damnoen Saduak on the way see salt farm, Wat Satthathum (the teak wood temple with mother of peal), Don hoy log (if you are lucky you can see how to pick up warm shell), Wat Bang-Kaa-Noy, Khai (the 3 dimension craving teak wood temple), Bang Kung (historical camp against Burmese army), Benjarong Factory, Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, Royal Thai Handicraft, The elephant show and crocodiles show, the culture shows at Rose Garden
B-2) at 6:30AM to floating market, on the way see salt farm, Wat Sathathum (the craving teak wood with mother of pearl, wat Bang Kae Noi (carving three dimension temple), Kai Bang Khung (where King Tang Sin had taken to be the fort to flight with Burma, Dumnuen Sadok Floating market, Royal Thai Handicraft, Rattana Ko Sin Porcelain, The elephant riding, The Benjarong factory Dinner beside the river waiting time to get dark, take a boat pass by floating night market to see fire fly (floating night market have only Saturday and Sunday only).
B-3) at 7:30 AM hotel->floating market->Royal Thai Handicraft->elephants show & crocodile show->Rose Garden->Hotel
B.-4) at 6:30AM to floating market, on the way see salt farm, Wat Sathathum (the craving teak wood with mother of pearl), wat Bang Kae Noi (carving three dimension temple), Kai Bang Khung (where King Tang Sin had taken to be the fort to flight with Burma), The Benjarong factory, Dumnuen Sadok Floating market, Royal Thai Handicraft, lunch at the elephant show and Crocodiles shows.
B-5) at 6:30 AM to Floating Market at Damnoen Saduak on the way see salt farm, Benjarong Factory, Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, Royal Thai Handicraft, The elephant show and crocodiles show, the culture shows at Rose Garden,
B-6) at 6:30 AM to Floating Market at Damnoen Saduak on the way see salt farm, Benjarong Factory, Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, Royal Thai Handicraft, the Sanam Chan Palace the king Rama 6 Palace, see Thai Dance here and Pha- Patom- Chedi at Nakorn Pathom. Then back to Bangkok to eat Pad-Thai Noodle, see the Grand Palace, Wat Po, and the flower market at night.
B-7) at 7:30AM to Floating Market at Damnoen Saduak on the way see salt farm, Benjarong Factory, Wat Satthathum (the teak wood temple with mother of peal), Don hoy log (if you are lucky you can see how to pick up warm shell), Wat Bang-Kaa-Noy, Khai (the 3 dimension craving teak wood temple), Bang Kung (historical camp against Burmese army), Damnoen Saduak Floating, riding elephant, stay one night at home stay, in the evening take a boat to see night floating market and fire fly(they are a lot like Christmas tree), in the morning monk will lowing a boat a long the canal take food from you, Then to MarketBenjarong Factory, see the Royal Thai Handicraft straight to Kanchanaburi.
C. at 7:00 AM to Kanchanaburi see the museum of war take long tail boat along the River Kwai to the Bridge Over River Qwai, To Sing City, the dead railway (you can walk along the dead railway), have lunch here, riding elephant, take picture with tiger at tiger temper.
C-1) at 7:30 AM to the Bridge Over River Qwai to see the museum of war, take a long tail boat on River Qwai to the Bridge if you want to take The train (around 10:30-11:30) on the dead real way to water fall I will pick you up here then see, the tiger temper then back home
C-2) At 6:30 AM the Museum war of war, the Bridge Over River Qwai, Sing City, Dead Real Way, Lunch here, Riding elephant, the Tiger temple.
C-3) at 6:30 AM to the Museum war of war, the Bridge Over River Qwai, Sing City, Dead Real Way, Lunch here, to The Erawan National Park take you to drive to National Park
CD at 6:30 AM to floating market, Royal Thai Handicraft, the Bridge Over River Qwai, lunch here, museum of war, Sing City, Dead Real way, more than10 hours
E. pick you up at the airport (please look for the one who show you name at the right side of left way out) then by some fast food eat in my car, straight to Ayutthaya will be check in the hotel late afternoon. I can phone to hotel let them keep the room for you.
E-1) At 7:30 to Bang-Pa-in Palace, lunch at Krung Sri Hotel in Ayutthaya, Wat Yai Chai Mong Kol, Wat Chai Wanaram, The elephant Kraal, Wat Pha Mahathat,
And Wat Rach Burana
Schedule in Chiang Mai:-
A ) Elephant Ride. Down River in Bamboo/ Oxen Cart ride/ Elephant show
A-1) Tour the city visit factories in Sankumpang(celadon, silk, silver, umbrella village, bronze), to Doi SuThep see Wat Pha Thad Doi Suthep.
A-2) Mai-ta-marn Elephant camp, Down River in Bamboo/ Oxen Cart ride/ Elephant show,
Shopping at Sankumpang factories.
A-3) Elephant camp at National Park in Lampang (you can riding at the elephant neck but need reservation), shopping at Hang Dong Wood Craving Village.
A-4) Maisa elephant camp see elephant show and painting, monkey school, snack farm, orchid farm, Bunny Jump.
A-5) Some high light temples in town, shopping at Hang Dong Wood Craving Village, to Doi Su Thep see Wat Pha Thad Doi Suthep
A-6) Water hot spring, Nion Cave, Sankumpang factories (celadon, silk, silver, umbrella village, bronze)
A-7) Sight seeing around the city in Chiang Mai, elephant riding, seeing Thai farmer house, sitting water buffalo cart and some temples.
A-8) To Doi Su Thep see Wat Pha Thad Doi Suthep, Phu-Ping Palace, Hill tribe Doi Pui Village.
A-9) On the way Mai Rim rout to Chieng Down Cave, Tha Ton Temple, Long Neck Hill Tribe Village.(will take you around 12 hours)
A-10)Sight seeing around Doi-in-tha-non (the highest Hill of Thailand), see Mai Ya Water Fall.(will take you around 10 hours)
B ) To Chieng Rai at 5:00-6:00AM to Wat Long-Khun, Doi Tung, Ling Cape, Opium Museum, stay one night at Golden Triangle. (Will take you around 14-15 hours)
B-1) Pick up around 5:00-6:00AM to Doi Mai Salong in Chieng Rai, Doi Tung, Mai-Sai. (Will take you around 14-15 hours)
B-2) Pick up around 5:00-6:00AM to Doi Mai Salong, Mai-Sai (Maenma Border)
(Will take you around 14-15 hours)
B-3) Pick up around 5:00-6:00AM to Mae Sai Border, Myanmar, Doi Mae Salong, Green Tea farm and how to me green tea, back to Chiang Mai.(will take you around 14-15 hours)
B-4) pick up at the hotel to Mai Hong Sorn by airplane start around 9:10-9:45, pick Mai Hong Sorn airport to Longneck Cabins, take around the Village, Back to Chiang Mai the same day around 17:15 PM
I will be hearing you more detail,
Best regards,
By her writing you can see how much difficulty you will have with her command of the English language. If she talks too fast for you(and she sometimes does when she gets excited)just ask her tto slow down and she happily will.
She is gracious, sweet, hardworking and best of all, honest.
Hope this helps!
Aloha!
Nov 28th, 2006, 01:55 AM
#11
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,897
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Eckardt - it is best to use those itineraries for ideas only as Ratt can really run you ragged if you are not careful. The first itinerary choices are actually pretty good ones - probably a little too busy for your first day in Bangkok though - you will be jet lagged and will want to take it slow. Many of the things on the floating market itineraries are touristy - it is also a very long day the way she has proposed them - pick and choose carefully.
Thanks, HT for posting this.
Thanks, HT for posting this.
Nov 28th, 2006, 08:43 AM
#12
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,242
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
An opposing view on using Ratt for Shopping. We did not sit in traffic at all- Ratt was able to wisk us around the city traffic jams easily. Again you can take the Skytrain, but some might appreciate having that personal driver service to literally take you anywhere, drop you off in front, picj you up in front of the venues, carry you bags, etc. Its a treat to have that kind of service- and at a low cost. So you can go either way. If you are going to buy a lot of stuff and go to a number of shopping venues in one day- its nice not to have to schlepp all the bags around from venue to venue!
Nov 28th, 2006, 11:00 AM
#13
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,897
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Ratt is fine for shopping - Bill's points are all valid ones. For the 2-3 days that you don't have Ratt, the central shopping area might work - it is fairly compact with such major places as the new Siam Paragon mall, Gaysorn Plaza, Narai Phand, MBK and others all pretty much within walking distance. Ratt would probably be more useful for shopping along Sukhumvit where things are more spread out and traffic tends to come to a standstill at all hours of the day. We did get stuck on one of the sois there for about 20 minutes with no way out in spite of Ratt's talents.
Nov 28th, 2006, 02:57 PM
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thank You, we will be starting from the Bossotl in Jan. and the Marriott Resort in Feb., can't wait, just got a foot of snow out on the west coast (Vancouver).....and its Cold......er
