The cycling tour is great - a social experience plus an opportunity to see a part of Bangkok off the beaten path. I suggest going to jatujak as it is an experience - Asia's largest flea market - but do it on Friday when it is least crowded. Get there by 11 and you will find 70% of the shops open. I would spend 3 days in Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai which gives you enough time for a trek. You could also think of going to Laos to trek and do outdoorsy stuff in Luang Prabang rather than going to CM/CR.

I too wanted to go to the weekend market when I was in BKK but after an hour there we were worn out from the heat/humidity/crowds. I now advise people to do the night market instead- you will find much of the same stuff at the night market, its cooler, and less crowded and the stalls have more space.
The food options are better than the weekend market.

I think it's hard to do Bangkok in 4 days but if that's all the time you have I would definitely move the cooking class to when you are in northern thailand -- they have great classes there. In Bangkok I would say the absolute must sees are:
1. klong tour and wat arun
2. Grand Palace & Temple of the Emerald Buddha
3. Floating market only if you do it privately and get there by 8:30 or 9AM. Otherwise forget it
4. Jim Thompson House
5. Vinanamek Mansion
6. Wat Po
7. Marble Temple and Temple of the Emerald Buddha if you have time.

We are two gay men in a relationship. So we don't mind that kind of calypso entertainment, although we are not looking for anything on the side if you know what I mean..just in case someone suggests anything.

Understood- this show is for everyone what ever your pursuasion- you will enjoy it! My wife and I really had a great time, and the audience was a mix of everyone so go and have a blast!

Ok we might do this:

Nov 10 - Bangkok
Nov 11 - Bangkok
Nov 12 - Bagnkok
Nov 13 - Bangkok
Nov 14 - Bangkok
Nov 15 - Chiang Mai
Nov 16 - Chiang Mai
Nov 17 - Chiang Mai
Nov 18 - Chaing Rai
Mov 19 - Chaing Rai
Nov 20 - Chiang Rai

I might substitue either Chiang Mai or Chaing Rai with Cambodia,

Nov 21 to Nov 29 - Phuket. How is the weather in Phuket at this time?

I went to the floating market and enjoyed it and did some really great photography there. I would keep it in. I just bought a day tour through my hotel and went on a bus with a very small group of people who were staying at various hotels around Bnagkok. It was fun as we all talked to each other and had a big meal together which was really nice. You REALLY need to add more days to Bangkok. And as far as the heat and getting tired...well it didn't really bother me a whole lot...plus if you two do adventure stuff and all, then I'm sure you will survive sitting on a boat and floating through the floating market. Happy Travels!

Bill...Orgy7...read between the lines. The poster stated,"I have planned my first trip to Asia with my PARTNER". Happy Travels!

The weather in Phuket is lovely that time of the year.

Let me recommend that you consider a few days at the Anantara at the Golden Triangle - a gorgeous spot!

I think the number of days you have for Bangkok is fine for a first timer. You will want to come back again anyway. CM and CR look good. If you want to do a trek, you can arrange it easily in CM - then I'd do the trek instead of CR. Either save Angkor for another time (but don't wait too long) or cut out 3 days of beach time.

About the shopping....I don't know what all the hoopla is about MBK shopping center.I went, picked up a few cheap things for friends, and then left.I'm a shopper and think Gaysorn, Siam Center Discovery,Emporium, Central, and Amarin Plaza are much better.I definitely wouldn't take time away from something else to go to MBK. Happy Travels!

We loved MBK- so now you have two divergent points of view- the only way you are going to resolve this conflict is to go there yourself and decide. There are a lot of vendors in MBK- the other stores are more like department stores so that did not interest us so much. Also you can find a lot of knockoffs in MBK and they have an entire floor devoted to cell phones and accessories.
Its like a market- only its inside and air conditioned.

Not sure about visiting MALLS. I rarely go to MALLS in Canada unless I need to go there and buy something. I don't hang around MALSS. I am not a MALL person. Unless it is a must see because it's spectacular..like the Edmonton Mall in Canada, then I would consider it.

I want to ask about Cambodia - temples. I heard they are beautiful and a must see. Everyone says 3 day is minimum. I do like temples, but after 3 days of temple after temple I think I would get tired. Anybody ever had that feeling

I know what you mean about malls - I'm not a mall shopper either. And I don't go to SE Asia to buy knock-offs. I want local crafts and items I can't get in the US. There is wonderful shopping for all kinds of local items.

As far as the Temples of Angkor are concerned, some people are satisfied with a glimpse of a couple of the temples. I spent a week there and loved every minute. Only you can know what you'll enjoy. I believe I gave you the address of my traveling companion's website earlier - www.marlandc.com - so you can look at photos of Angkor and read some of our account of our visit. Do your research ahead of time to get an accurate idea of whether you'd enjoy it. Three days is how long it takes to see the major tempels, add more time if you want to visit many of the minor temples where you are often the only visitor.

As far as temple viewing goes - when we were in BKK my wife could stand maybe only a few hours of temple viewing- then we were off to the shops! So it really depends on your tolerance for this sort of thing. Some people can gaze for days while others have a short fuse!

I am starting to think that I will get enough of temple sight seeing in Thailand and spend more time in Thailand and experience the culture and do stuff like Trekking, biking, instead of going to Angkor and rush from temple to temple....

DavRan - I think you are right. Unless you are really into this sort of thing- BKK can offer you plenty of temples to view. Note that there is a miniature version of Angkor at the Grand Palace.

I know that feeling of temple after temple. I am portuguese and in Portugal we have tons of castles and monastaries..and after one or two in a day...it's enough for me. I want to sit down in a cafe and have some wine and eat some good food and just lounge around and soak up the whole experience.

Anantara in North of Thailand gay friendly?