Could any of you Fodorites recommend the best way to utilise Ratt for one day.

I am thinking of a day trip outside Bangkok.

We are using Ratt one day to visit the floating market and then return to Bangkok to see some sights that we missed on our last trip to Bangkok. These are sites such as Vimarnmek Palace and Marble Wat that are not accessible via the river. If you are not specific with her it is likely you would spend the entire day visiting the floating market and other nearby sites that may or may not interest you. Others can fill you in on this.

i think her best usage is outside of bkk also...many like her inside bkk for the convenience of it all, but that all can be done on your own easily, but not as comfortably...

a full day outside of bkk starting with the floaring market is a really good day.....we spent 13 hours and did FM, plus river kwai, and several things in between....it was a very long day and that drive back to bkk was a killer from river kwai...

Inside BKK- star with the Marble Temple- move on to the Grand Palace- then on to the teak mansion, swing by the Nara Phand Government store, then have her take you to the night market.

All of those ideas are good ones. It's really up to you to decide. Personally I would do the 13 hour trip that includes the floating market and river kwai. But if the historical aspect of the river kwai doesn't interest you go to the floating market and then spend the afternoon doing the places Craig mentioned.

OK OK....I really don't want to reserve RATT because I really don't want to be binded by a plan right now. Yes, I know that she is great. But if I do decided to go out to the FLOATING MARKET the night before. Who do I call/contact? I am staying at the Marriott Bangkok Resort and Spa and what should I expect to pay for a drive back and forth ?

Thanks,
D

Thanks for all your help.

I think I will take your suggestion rhkkmk and try and reserve Ratt for the floating market and the River Kwai.

its a really long day but a good one....she took us directly to the market and we spent about an hour...we had been there before so did not need to hire the small boat at the market to float amongst the traders (you must do that)....she did take us to another boat landing near the market but i did not want to do that...i wanted to be driven right to the market...
from there we went to the royal thai handicraft center (wood carving and the usual thai crafts you can buy everyplace---i would never go back there unless i wanted to buy a piece of furniture---others do like it however)...she also asked about rose garden which we did not want to do---too much time and of no interest to us---tourist show.....from there we went to a really nice pottery shed where they were forming huge pots and firing them in the old way in a huge kiln...it was a wonderful stop...we were there almost an hour...they have a nice/cheap shop there as well....then we headed to the river kwai area...we did not stop at the cemetery, although you might like to...then we headed out towards the myanmar border...i forgot...first we stopped by the bridge and had a nice lunch at the floating restaurant...she would not join us....next we headed towards the border...we drove to a khmer ruin in a lovely park...then to an ancient dig site museum...both were interesting...then back to river kwai area and stopped near the river and the area where they cut through the hill for the tracks...then back to town to visit the sort of pathetic museum--worthwhile however....then the very very long ride back to bkk---over two hours...we started at 6:30AM and finished about 7:15PM...cost about $100 with a good tip...i think she may have raised her prices slightly...


DAVRAN--as an alternative to hiring ratt: the first time we went to the market we used a limo from marriott...we did the whole thing in 1/2 day rental...i think it cost about $50....started about 8:30 or 9 and finished at 1.....you should go earlier to save time....our driver got lost once so make sure the driver has been there before....the e address for the head of the limo svc is:
[email protected]

it may have changed but this is how i contacted him last year....he could give you a current price...

hotel cars are more expensive than others but for last minute it would be good....you can go on a tour but for more than one person it will cost you almost as much and you will have to endure rose garden as well and do everything on their time...no flexibility...this would be good for a last minute decision

we have hired ratts husband nik for one day..nov 2nd. is it possible to do the floating market then drive to ayutthuya in the same day? we have been to ayutthuya once before but not to the floating market and i am not sure if this is practical. we have use of the mercedes van for the day so travel should be comfortable.

that seems like a very unusual day to me...combining the two...i am sure it is possible but not sure if it is practical

I have one more question!!!

Is it better to hire a driver for the floating market and the River Kwai on a weekday or the weekend?

i don't think it matters, but i think if i had a choice i would choose a weekday

yesterday, ratt arranged for a van and driver for us to go to ayutthuya. her husband was originally scheduled but the man she sent spoke better english and had a nice toyota van that can carry 10 pax. i will find his card and report back his name. the trip went well, he took us to everyplace on our itinerary, safely.
cost 3000 bht plus gas 520 baht. we left at 8:30 and returned at 4pm. well worth it.

ratt has definately enterprized herself into a very sucessful business, thanks to fodorites. all her drivers have been great and worthwhile.

also...her charge of 500 baht airport pickup is a bargain. 2X my daughter got caught up with the taxi touts and was charged 600 baht plus toll fees (40bht). if you cant get a pickup (it is really reassuring to have someone greeting you )...go outside to the taxi line for metered taxis. they still want to negiotiate the fare but it is cheaper than using the touts..last trip from domestic terminal to sukhumvit 22 was 350 baht and included tolls.

rhkkmk:

did you notice if the pottery shop ratt took you to shipped to the u.s.? Is it near the rose garden?
Aloha!

i would say that it is farther away from the floating market and thus further away from rose garden...i can never be too far away from rose garden!!

i do not know but we would say no...it is a very small shop...the factory is huge but the shop is small...

i am sure ratt would arrange shipping for you however and i think it would arriver more safely...it will be very expensive however...we always carry that type of thing