Ok just curious- who among the Fodor regulars holds the title of Undisputed BKK King or Queen as defined by how many trips over the course of their lives they have made to BKK.
Lets be honest here!

I've been there 18 times and have spent somewhere around 140 days in Bangkok.

Its early but - WOW - 18 times- we may already have our winner!

I started young and now am old.

I'd think James A.. has made enough trips back and forth on visa runs and back too his mystory home land too possibly win. .

Ok i'll count all the thai visa stamps over 5 years..

cary the 1, devide it by 12..

about 21 trips. stay in bkk 740..

this is one game I don't want too win. the less trips made as a "runner{ the better.

I don't really live in bkk I am technicly a tourist..

Hmm-- if we count passport stamps I've been there more often since I tend to fly there, spend a few days and then go elsewhere (Burma, Vietan etc) and then return to Bangkok. So for those trips one could "technically" say you've been there twice but that seems silly so I count those as one trip. If that makes sense. Although I did discover that hotels count it as a return visit which is why I got in the upper echelong of returning guests so fast at the Oriental -- although it took me a long time to figure out why they thought I had been there so many more times than I did.

I'd have to count passport stamps, but I expect that Gloria and I are close. I've been visiting Thailand for 20ish years and have been to Bangkok at least that many times.

OK - lets clarify- the rule is how many trips to BKK from outside the country. Geeze!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kathie-- you and I started at the same time and have gotten old together. It's why we stick to the "old" hotels.

Gloria, I think you're right about that! I find there are many things we agree on (except Chaing Mai.)

Kathie- We do usually agree and I know I will love LP when I get to spend more time there ( I was there in 91 but after a very long and difficult (but wonderful) trip to Vietnam and Cambodian and just had a few days. It sounds like the kind of place I will like a lot. But what about CM don't you like?

I first went to CM in the 80s and loved it. Then in the 90s when I went I found it much too touristy and tacky but when I went there last year I fell in love with it again. Actually seemed more "real" to me than it did 10 years ago. Maybe it was because I avoided all the tourist places and just walked a lot and found wonderful shops and markets with virtually no tourists.

Gloria, that's interesting. I was first in CM in the 1980s as well. The pollution was actually worse than Bangkok (I was there in December). For me, it didn't have the excitement of the city nor the charm of a small town. The shopping was good, but not so good that I was willing to go there rather than Bangkok or to take time away from other destinations. Also, the hotels were pretty awful: soul-less boxes. And this was before the Westin - Sheraton whatever it is now. Frankly, my impression of CM was that once you get past the stunning wat, it felt pretty boring.

I've thought about returning to CM (given your comments and the comments of several others on this board) to try it out again. I love crafts so one would think that CM would be the place for them, but I found few things that Bangkok doen't have in greater variety (even if at a slightly higher price). Now that it sounds like there are some more interesting places to stay, I may get back to CM and check it out again.

Kathie-- the hotels in CM truly were soul-less. I think my opinion was also different because I spent a lot of time in schools, orphanages, with programs working with burmese refugees and AIDS. Women Empowerment programs etc. So I saw a different side of CM. I didn't just see the shopping factories. That's what gave it a sort of 60s/70s feel to me but I know it's a side of CM the average tourist doesn't see or even wants to see.

Good point, Gloria.

My piddly 7 trips (soon to be 8) don't seem like very many compared to others. BUT, I've made 7 trips SINCE June of 2001. So I've just discovered Thailand, and will make up for lost time with at least two trips a year there, from now on.
Son has been some 23 times since about Oct of '97.
Carol

I've managed 12 trips in 12 years and about to set off on the next and thought I was doing reasonably well but it certainly doesn't stack up well against Gloria and Kathie. Will just have to try harder!!!!! My husband has rated a few extra.

Mary - spouse's business trips do not count - I have had way too many conversations with those who travel on business and quite frankly, they don't have the time to "experience" anything unless they actually take extra days for vacation.

Craig - agree spouses business doesn't count. Dan has just had the luck to go to Bkk a few more times than me - traveling through and holidaying on the way from UK to Australia - before he met me I might add - but now he isn't allowed to go without me!!!!!

gloria. don't be modest girl... so how many trips too thailand hav you taken deffined by billT, The tourist industry, and thei imagrations.

Orgy-- If I did it Bill's way it would end up being around 30 times -- but same number of days.