I have been reading these posts for awhile now in preparation for our trip to Thailand in July. I have recently discovered that the 2004 International Aids Conference will be held in Bangkok on July 11-16. This is the same time we planned to be in Bangkok. My question is should we rearrange our schedule to avoid this time? Concerned about the crowds and I've noticed some hotels have raised their rates. Just looking for some opinions on this. Thanks.

If I was facing that situation and if I could re-arrange my itinerary to substitute that period in Bangkok with the same amount of time either before or after that week, I would do so. Otherwise, I wouldn't change it.

i would absolutely be some place else, not because of the number of people, but because of the hotel situation, both its capacity and its huge price increase....

If you can get confirmed reservations at your hotel of choice during that week, why not? Bangkok's such a crazy-busy city I don't see how you'll even notice the difference. If you're too concerned that there will be too many people in Bangkok that week rearrange your schedule to visit another part of the country that week then return to Bangkok later.

Thanks for everyone's input, you have confirmed what I was thinking. We will switch our time around to be in Bangkok the week before this. BTW, how many days would you allow for Bangkok to really see the sights? We could have up to 7 days, is this too much?

I don't know that there is such a thing as "too much" time in Bangkok. On my first trip to Thailand over 20 years ago, I spent 9 days in Bangkok. Every trip since, I spend 5 days. I never run out of things to do there!

Have a friend who is planning to attend the conference; what part of town should she try to find a hotel? (I do not know Bangkok at all!)

She should try to find a hotel close to where the conference is. Otherwise, she'll end up spening way too much time in taxis. The conference registration materials should indicate the conference hotels.

hmm.. I think it's a matter of who's coming rather them there bieng a big confrence. their are always big events in town that no one notices. but when thier are international digniteries then things clamp down hard.

in most events thier are perades and fireworks but considering the toppic (Aids) I don't know if it will be worthwhile too come..