Two questions about Thailand
 

--We are considering spending a bit of time in Thailand on our way to Bhutan and Nepal after a friend yesterday strongly recommended we visit a site starting with "a" (but it is not Angor Wat in Cambodia) about an hour from Bangkok and a national park in jungle with great wild life. He was not more specific. Can anyone help? I'm not sure we want to take away Bhutan/Nepal time but we were left intrigued.
Thanks.

Ayutthaya: http://wikitravel.org/en/Ayutthaya

Sounds like Ayutthaya like MmePerdu said above but there are no "jungle with great wild life" anywhere near there.

Here's a thread off Trip Advisor, which I contributed to, about the options of getting to Ayutthaya from Bangkok...
http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowTop...s-Bangkok.html
I think it's best to overnight there [we stayed 2 nights], in order to get the most out of the side-trip.

LL I just took a look at your link and it doesn't really answer the OP's question.

Most of the info you contributed to someone's question on TA was about train, train ticket cost and your bathroom habit - something which I fail to see why you would write about.

cmstraf - can you be more specific on what you are asking? A tourist that begin with "a" one hour by car or plane from Bangkok? Is the second part of your question about a national park with jungle and lots of wildlife? Or is it just one question about a site surrounded by jungle and lots of wildlife?

cmstraf - forgot to type "site" after tourist. My second question should read "A tourist site that begin with "a" one hour by car or plane from Bangkok? Is the second part of your question about a national park with jungle and lots of wildlife?"

Hi guys,
I am confused about the above exchange--feel like I have dropped into an ongoing conversation that I don't understand.

However, thanks for asking for clarification. In the meantime, I have decided not to try and stretch ourselves by making the trip to Ayutthaya, but save it for a separate trip to Thailand (if my husband agrees). We will spend two nights either at the Marriott or the Shangri-La, wandering around the city a bit perhaps, but mostly giving ourselves time to unwind from the long trip from San Francisco to Bangkok.

The Penninsula looks very beckoning but also like significantly more $$$.

Two days in Bangkok is, indeed, too short for a day trip to Ayutthaya. So good decision to save it for another trip.

The Marriott is located in the inner city while the Shangri-La is on the river. I suggest the Shangri-La for your first trip here.

Kathie is right 2 days is not enough time to do much so just "hang" in the city.

Thanks, the Shangri-La it is.

<<<wandering around the city a bit perhaps>>>

The heartbeat of Bangkok is the Chao Phraya River.
A trip up the river from Central Pier all the way to the terminus at Thonburi on an orange flag public ferry is imo a great way to while away a few hours without burning too much shoe-leather.

This is a good link to public transport options and the times they operate...

http://www.transitbangkok.com/

Probably a mistake by the poster above but if you're planning on following the advice DON'T go the route suggested. From Central Pier to "Thonburi" is just crossing the river from one side to the other. Basically you can catch the Shangri La hotel shuttle ferry and cross the river, a 2 minutes journey once the ferry gets going, to the Peninsula hotel and you would have arrived in "Thonburi".

Did you mean the "Thonburi Railways Pier" LL?

Bob made a good suggestion to join the Shangri-La frequent stay club. I don't know the current perks, but it used to get you breakfast.

Free breakfast! Superb way to spend a couple of days in Bangkok.
So, after cmstraf and her DH have finished their coco-pops what do you suggest they do?

Sorry, LL, I don't think they serve coco-pops at the Shangri-La.

My #1 suggestion for first-time visitors to Bangkok is to get on the public water taxi and go to first the Grand Palace/Temple of the Emerald Buddha. Try to get there as it opens at 8:30. Most of what you will be seeing is outdoors and it is very hot, so getting there early is always a good idea. From there, go next door to Wat Po (Reclining Buddha) and if you are still up for more wats, take the foot-ferry across the river to Wat Arun.

From there, you may well be ready to return to the cool of your hotel, maybe for a dip in the pool. Let me know what else you are interested in and I'd be glad to offer suggestions.

That's better.

But with limited time, and after a long flight, the public ferry to and from Nonthaburi might be less strenuous and more enjoyable.

I'd get off the ferry at Pier 13 on the way back, for lunch and a wander around Banglamphu.

Some people get nauseous riding the ferry because of the diesel fumes and choppy conditions when the ferry slow down to dock at the various stops. It is often quite congested as it's a form of public transport. An alternative is to hire a long tail boat for your sole use.

Kathie suggestion is perfect if you like to ride public ferries. Going to Nonthaburi will take a long time but Kathie's suggestion will take you to most scenic part of the route and quick. You could also hire a car and guide as a more relaxing alternative. I don't recall what month you will be here as the weather will make a difference.

Free breakfast or breakfast included will be good especially at most 5 star hotels in Thailand!

If it was me and visiting Bangkok for the first time, I am Thai and live here in Thailand, I would hire a long tail boat from your hotel and go directly to the Grand Palace/Temple complex and then take a taxi or car back. Coming back, especially if you have guide with you, you can stop at Yaowarat (China town) and stop by lunch before heading back to your hotel for a rest. Or you can continue your tour and go to JT house or shopping etc.

Thank you lots for these ideas! I will bookmark them. My next step for now is to send back feedback to travel company on their ideas--just started a new thread. Next step--give feedback to travel company, get detailed itinerary and pricing proposal for them, frantically try to search for ways to get miles between now and December.

Kathie,
I will ask you more once these next steps are done. :)

Assuming they are not "together, one would guess Ayuthaya is the town.....temples etc and the National Park would be Khao Yai?