We recently got back from India and travelled with a car, driver and guides in cities. Can you do something similar in Thailand? We found it a great way for a personal experience; i.e., meeting the locals.

sure you can do this same thing....cars cost about the same amount of $$ in both places, maybe a bit more in thailand...

Thank you for the reply.

You don't need the same level of hand-holding in Thailand that you do in India. You would not want a car/driver/guide every day. There are places where having a car and driver is helpful. In few places do you really need a guide.

In Chiang Mai, you need a car and driver to get any place outside the city, and you actually need one in the city if you are shopping. The only time I've ever used a car and driver in Bangkok was when I went to the Prasart. In Bangkok, I prefer to use public transport and taxis.

I completely agree with Kathie. Thailand is best experienced mostly on your own. A driver in CM to get about and maybe a guide in BKK for a day to make sight-seeing really effcient.

Glad someone asked about guides... my bf and I are having debates about when and where we need them. We'll definitely get one for Chaing Rai/GT area; thanks Kathie for helping us decide we probably don't need one in BKK...
We'll also be in Siem Reap for a few days... is it worth it to hire one for a day or so, or is it just as good on one's own? Thanks!