In a visit to Bangkok a while ago I hired private driver (not fancy) for a day of sight seeing, Ko Si Chang Island and Floating Market; does any one have any recommendation for a private driver as this worked out really well. Thanks.

In Bangkok, in case you didn't notice, know that there is a good city rail system that can bring you to many places in the city area. Some tourists choose hotels where they can use city rail service. (Airport Rail Link, Skytrain and a subway.) Good for shopping, good for transportation from Suvarnabhumi or to that airport. Good for exploring parts of Bangkok not see by that many tourists. (Rail service continues to expand in to different parts of the city.)
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Meter taxis are cheap in Bangkok if you only pay the meter fare. If you pay a flat rate you pay more. With a taxi you do not have to hunt up a parking spot if using a private driver. And you won't have to have a driver hanging around while you wander around.

In Bangkok if your hotel does not have a tour desk nearby local travel agencies can provide shared tours for you. Select a tour one day and leave next morning with a pick up at your hotel. There are many popular tourist sites you can visit this way including Floating Markets. You will be in a van with other tourists. Some tourists like having other tourists around to share the experience. Some women prefer shared tour with other tourists with them. Safety in numbers! (Usually in passenger vans with 6-8 other people.)

There are private, more expensive tour guides you can hire if that is the way you travel. But keep in mind that in Bangkok is not that difficult to get around. Two private tour guide companies that I see every now and then are Rat and Tong tours.
Rat Service
http://tourwithtong.com/

I have never used a private tour guide tailored just for me. I have been on several shared tours over the years. I have used a few private drivers for transportation between cities when I could share the cost. Your hotel can recommend a private driver.



Good luck.

I also never use a guide or a driver in Bangkok (going out of town, such as to the Prasart Museum, I have used a local driver). In the city, I use the Skytrain (BTS) and the water taxis on the river and taxicabs as needed. I have not found the Airport Rail Link or the subway useful, but that has to do with where I stay and where I am going.

Thanks for your response, lots of good info. I wanted the driver for trips outside the city so I could have the flexibility to go where I want and leave when I want. I realize that a private car is not necessary in town. Thanks again.

# 3 " . I have not found the Airport Rail Link or the subway useful, but that has to do with where I stay and where I am going. "

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I like the city rail service and choose a hotel where I can walk to a Skytrain station. The Bangkok rail service continues to lengthen the routes. Now you can reach by cheap trains more distant parts of the city where fewer tourists have visited. I like to use the Airport Rail Link to connect with hotels on the Skytrain route. The Rail Link and Skytrain connects with the subway for transportation to Hulalamphong Train Station. This is convenient for people using the long distance trains.

Some tourists who have long layovers use the Rail Link to get to the Pratunam area for shopping and time permitting even some other parts of the city then back to the airport.

But like you say it depends on where you chose to stay and what you do.

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# 4 " I wanted the driver for trips outside the city so I could have the flexibility to go where I want and leave when I want. "

This is a good reason but it comes with a price. Your hotel front desk people can probably fix you up with a driver.

Good luck.

Instead of a driver, we rented a car so we could easily drive out to Khao Yai and to Ayutthaya, and then back to Bangkok. We picked it up at the airport, rather than in the city centre, and that worked out very well. That may or may not be of interest as an option for you.