Just looked at their web-site and the show looks beautiful. Do you have to book reservations on-line to get the best seats, as they say, or can you get good seats a day or two before going. Also, on-line the standard seating costs 1,500Baht a person, is that the price you pay there? They also have a dinner buffet for 350Baht a person, any inputs on the selection and quality of the food.

How far is it from the Majestic Grand Hotel on Sukumvit Rd. at Soi 2 by taxi?

Would appreciate and information you can tell me. Is the show and buffet worth it, or just go to the show only?

Wassala

I've heard that the buffet is not that great and is catered more for the mass tourist crowd. I've not seen the show but it should be quite good as they did put a lot of money into it.

From Soi 2 to the theatre would take around 10 minutes with no traffic but on a normal day I would give it 30 minutes.

We went to the show this past year and while it is a beautiful performance, both my husband and I were falling asleep. Perhaps we were still overcoming our jet lag, but other travelers that were there commented that they too were put to sleep by the show. I would not recommend it. The buffet was adequate, but nothing to write home about. I think you would be better off strolling the streets of Bangkok and finding a more authentic experience.

I posted twice yesterday, but nothing appeared, so trying again.

I was at this entertainment in February. It was an interesting way to spend an evening--was an optional on my smarTour. It was quite long and the music was very loud. (I couldn't have slept, but jet lag was over for me.) The way the history was presented was quite colorful.

The buffet was not worth the trouble--but it was something to eat before the perfomance and we did not have another choice. On my own, after this experience, I'd eat elsewhere.

Cameras were not permitted and had to be checked. Our guide, who did not attend the performance, kept mine. After the performance, some of the cast came out into a "foyer" and people could photograph ethem or be potographed with them. The theater was not full, at all. But that could have been due to the decline in Tourism, because of the problems in Bangkok in Nov/Dec.

Often, this type of entertainment ("supposed" folk lore performance) is not worth the price, and on a a scale of 1-10, I'd say a 5, because it did present the history of the country in a way not usually seen. My only though is that perhaps as this activity is refined, it will be more authentic. Ciao!!mhm

Mercy - We are going to Thailand in Jan. with Smartours. What options would you recommend? Did you enjoy touring with Smartours? The prices are unbeleivable!

Hi Debbie, My friend and I only took a few of the optionals-we did the Grand Palace option, the Klong tour, and the evening boat cruise. We could have done these on our own, but the convenience was more important, at the time. The optionals are well-priced. Some of the things we did on our own--to the Chatacuk (?) Market, the Jim Thompson house. We might have done more but found the heat "draining"--I guess that word could be taken in several ways. The humidity was alway high. One thing I took was a small sprayer bottle, which helped to cool off--even warm water felt cool when sprayed.

We also took the Angkor Wat extension, which was very worthwhile. So much to see, it is overwhelming (?).

This was the 2nd smarTour I'd taken--in 2007, my husband and I did the Croatia one and it was great. He did not care to go to Thailand, so I went with a friend.

Many people do not have a good opinion of tours, and urge you to do it "on your own." We have traveled on our own many times over the years, but have reached the age where we like to have things set out for us. On any tour we have taken, we have always had time to go off and do our own thing. This tour was no exception. This is, of course, my own opinion.

I hope you have a great time. Our guide in Thailand was Boeing. He was quite interesting and was always providing snacks of various foods, etc. common to the country as we traveled on the bus. Ciao! mhm

Mercy - Thank you so much for your reply. Did you take the skytrain from the hotel to get to Jim Thompsons house? Where did you take the evening boat cruise?

We have been on a number of tours and really like the ability to relax and let someone take care of us. And, we feel we see more of the highlights than we would on our own. But, thats just us.

I am a bit concerned about the heat. The only thing I dread is the long plane flight from California USA. Flying has become such an ordeal.