We leave early AM tomorrow and still have not heard from Tong. We had exchanged several emails; but, had not been able to work out the second day. Arrive in BKK Friday evening around 22:00. Don't have Tong's number and I want to be sure that she or her substitute will meet us Saturday morning at the Mandarin Oriental. Could you get her a message for me? Thanks once again.

Bob, you are officially dubbed 'The Tong Whisperer'

Bob is Tong!

well that explains a lot...

I wanted to use Tong but haven;t heard back after our initial email. This kind of situation has made me reconsider using her as a guide.

i will send her a message right now...

its sent

i have asked that she leave a msg for you at the oriental./...

tbrown... did you make a definate date with her....if so most asians consider this a definate commitment....

i will write to her for you too

i have heard back from her and she says she has nothing for either name as listed on fodors--- tbrown or Pawleys

without your real names and definative dates it makes it very difficult for me to help you...

she says to send her an e mail today as she will watch for them or call her at: 081 835 0240 from thailand or from overseas: 66 8 1 835 0240

these are her cell phone numbers.....remember there is about a 12 hour time difference...

from usa you will need to add the 011 before the 66

tina---tong says that she sent you an e mail from her blackberry today...

What you have to do when reserving Tong is mention Bob's name
it works.... Got 2 days confirmed in July, everything was done with confirmation numbers in two days.....

Bob, I am a friend of Pawleys and they are enroute and have talked with Tong and all is well! Thank you.

good..

i think the thing that people need to keep in mind is that tong is one person, trying to run a very small business. she does not have extra $$ to hire someone to keep track of things....

she gets hundreds of e mails per week, does the best to respond to them that she can on a time sensitive basis....for instance if someone has a question about a july or august booking, that person will not hear from her as soon as someone with an april booking.... plus i think the thai internet is less reliable than what we have here in the west...

btw, she told me last nite that my address is on a priority list for her blackberry so my messages go to the top...

Bob,

Maybe you should offer a Tong a business proposition?

Take care of all of her Fodors related bookings and enquiries by setting up a schedule with Outlook and handle her email requests in return for an annual tour.

i am retired....all my time goes to reading fodors, answering e-mails and planning our travel...

Bob Thank you so much for your help with us contacting Tong. It looks like we are going to be able to tour with her.

Late to the party but I thought I should add my 2 cents - I too was a tad worried that Tong appeared incommunicada right until we got there but guess what? She came through in every single way and offered us one of the best travel experiences of our lives.

We toured with her on one day and many times she had to decline to answer her ringing phone and constant emails so she could devote herself to being a present, thoughtful, and engaging tour guide. The woman gets up at 4 AM, drives to Bangkok or wherever your hotel is, spends a full day with you, and then, after dropping you off, has to fight Bangkok traffic to get home (another 2-3 hours). Have faith and you will be rewarded.