My sister and I are thinking of staying at Ratt's B&B in Bangkok the end of April. Has anyone stayed here yet & also thinking of using her as a tour guide. Any comments on her service.

Thanks for your help. I have spent alot of time reading about others adventures in Thailand and am anxiously looking forward to our 3 weeks. We plan initial 4 days in Bangkok, 7 days in Chiang Mai, 7 days in either Samui or Phukett, final 4 days in Bangkok. Is 7 days in CM too long?
Regards - 2 Canadian sisters

I haven't yet seen any reports of someone staying at Ratt's B&B, but Gloria plans to stay there in Nov. Ratt is a favorite driver among many Fodorites.

7 days in CM would be about 5 days too long for me! But it depends on what you want to do. Some people go to CM with a long list of things they want to do/see and could fill a week - The Elephant Conservation Center, cooking classes, day trips, etc.

I had not problem spending 10 days in Chiang Mai a few years ago and it was my 8th or 9th time there. It's my favorite part of thailand and a great area for day trips. If you want, however, you could stay 5 days and then spend two days in the golden triangle area to visit places like Doi Mae Salong.

On the other hand, 7 days in Samui or Phukett would be 5 days too long for me.

Knowing Ratt, I am sure that B and B has been well done and she definitely understands service. Do stay there and let us know how it is. We are all very anxious to hear.

ratt is a very nice lady....her english is not as good as some of the guides....but it is totally understandable....she is not a licensed guide, but in her case i do not feel you loose anything by using her vs a lic. guide....she provides you with other interesting tid bits that make up for any lack of detailed knowledge about religion, etc....

i would love to try out her B&B but i need a pool in bkk and it does not have one of course....if you needed anything that was not provided i am sure ratt would see to it that you received it if at all possible...

7 days in CM---sort of like death on a railroad.....3-4 days would be all i could handle...

I think I recently read a good report on TA. Nice digs, great breakfast. So maybe go search the trip advisor forum for more info.

A total of 8 days in BK would make me wanna hide under the bed! We used one of Ratt's guides a couple of years ago, and she was very good. Can't comment on the B&B. Sorry.

ket.Ratt is very industrious. I have used her as a driver/guide on 3 different visits in 8 years and was 101% satisfied. As for her taste in accommodations I just do not know. Can she send you 2-3 pictures of 1 or 2 different sleeping rooms and the lounge/living room area. Maybe not just yet but that would really help, I think.
I visited CM 2 times and 3 1/2-4 days/4 nights is sufficient unless you plan to take a full day elephant trek. Beyond that you may get bored. Samui is o.k. but we like Phuket more. Snorkeling and diving is more accessible in Phuket (Phi Phi Islands) than Samau though a 1 day trip to Koh Tao taking the small motor boat once on Koh Tao offers excellent snorkeling but you can snorkel 2-3 times if you are in Phuket.I would say 4 full days/5nights max on Samau and 5 days on Phuket max. With the extra days a visit to Chiang Rai for 3 days is quite different than the other destinations. While I love Bangkok on one trip 6-7 days full days is my recommendation.
Consoder Ratt's sister Poon as a guide in CM as a guide/driver.
Enjoy.

We have used Ratt on both of our trips to BKK- we are very happy with her service.

I assume this is your first time in Thailand and maybe be your only for awhile. I think that 8 days in Bangkok is too much . While there is lots to see 5 days is enough, 3 at the beginning and 2 at the end. Many on this board would disagree as they just love the city but to each their own.

For beaches 4 days is plenty unless you are a beach lover. You don't go all the way to Thailand just for the beach when there are so many other places to see.. If you want a beach holiday there are plenty of just as nice beaches much closer to home.

I might suggest the following itinerary to consider for your 22 days

Bangkok first 3 days

Fly to Chiang Rai for 3 days and visit the golden triangle

Take the inexpensive boat to Thaton (4/5 hrs) and stay 2 nights in this quiet river town or 1 night and add an extra day elsewhere
Hire car/driver for trip to Chiang Mai (4 hrs) and take afternoon flight to Mae Hong Son

Stay at the Fern Resort for 3 days

Fly back to Chiang Maa for 4 days

Fly direct from Chiang Mai to Phuket for 4 days

Back to Bangkok for last 2 days

As for Ratt's guesthouse check the site below for some pictures. I am sure it is nice but the location leaves something to be desired as the skytrain is not walkable and there is nothing of interest in the area.. Also it will be hot and a pool would be nice to have.
http://www.ratservice.com/bb.aspx