glad you've got the 3 days at Angkor, I think its def needed!
as the others have said, do some reading and planning before hand, but don't underestimate your times in the temples. our driver expected us to spend 1-2 hours in angkor wat, and we were there almost 4 hours!
there are a number of hotels in your price range, we stayed at Palm Village, which is a coulpe of km outside town (and closest to angkor) - not a problem if you have a driver, as he'll come back for you in the evenings.
website is www.bakong.com - i think. cost $35 a night, and accomodation is in individual bungalows. We loved it!

angkor holiday hotel is getting some good ratings here...

on the 14th i still have problems with the time you have allowed for changing planes in bkk....i would love you to have one more hour...

The Siem Reap Samui conection is cutting it close but you do not have to clear customs in Bangkok as Samui is an international airport. Have your bags checked right through to Samui and when you arrive in Bangkok go to the Bangkok Air desk (before customs). They will look after you. Give you a special tag and take you over to your connecting flight. Once in Samui your tag will identify you as having to clear customs.

A good hotel that is right in town and has been getting good reviews is the Bopha Angkor Hotel (http://www.bopha-angkor.com/accommodation.html) Superior rooms at around $50 net. Deluxe at $75 are very nice.

Bowing to the wisdom of one who is far more experienced...

A NEW rough itinerary would be
June 5 depart SFO
6th arrive BKK @ 23:00 ( Centre Point Silom )
7th recovery & recon
8th tour ( self guided )
9th Tong ( to see what we wouldn't otherwise )
10th relaxing and floating market
10th @ 19:00 depart to Siem Reap
11th - 13th @ Angkor Wat
14th @ 11:00 depart to BKK
@ 14:30 depart to Samui ( Lawana )
15th Samui ( kayaking in caves, snorkling )
16th Samui
17th 09:00 depart to BKK ( meet Tina's classmate and show her a little of BKK )
18th get Tina & her friend to CM for her massage course
19th 06:00 depart for SF

Lloyd, you may want to do the floating market with Tong, as you need a driver for that. Then leave that last day in Bangkok open.

Thanks Kathie...

The general idea I had for BKK was to orient myself day 1, go see the majors ( palace, emerald Buddha,
Thompson's house ) that I don't think you need a driver for day 2, and then see what Tong suggests day 3, leaving day 4 ( until about 3 or 4 PM ) for relaxing and " mop up " seeing one or two things we may have missed. Going to the floating market with Tong is probably a good idea...
Does that take a full day ?

Lloyd

For the floating market, you want to leave very early in the morning. It does not take the full day. I should forewarn you, people either love or hate the floating market. It takes a fair amount of time to get there and back, so decide whether you want to do it with your limited time in Bangkok. Since I'm not a fan of the floating market, I wouldn't recommend it, but others might.

So maybe a river boat tour would be better?....I definitely want to fit in time to see the royal barges...

Lloyd

the barges are not open now until at least mid june i believe....sprucing up for the june 16? procession....

floating market....if you leave about 6:45 you can be back by 1, if you visit no other place out there

Drat...

I ghuess we can cross our fingers that they will be viewable by the 10th...

Llloyd

I just looked at a site that says the royal procession this year is on the 12th...
I am SERIOUSLY considering going immediately to Angkor Wat then coming back to BKK so we can see it...
Lloyd

A NEW rough itinerary would be
June 5 depart SFO
6th arrive BKK @ 23:00 ( Centre Point Silom )
7th recovery & recon 19:00 depart to Siem Reap
8th - 10th Angkor Wat
10th @19:40 depart to BKK
11th - 13th BKK
11th self guided touring
12th Royal procession
13th Tong
14th @ 11:00 depart to Samui ( Lawana )
14th - 16th Samui ( kayaking in caves, snorkling )
17th 09:00 depart to BKK ( meet Tina's classmate and show her a little of BKK )
18th get Tina & her friend to CM for her massage course
19th 06:00 depart for SF

This sounds pretty good, Lloyd. It would be wonderful, indeed, to see the royal procession.

Absolutely !!!
THANK YOU BOB...
That off hand comment totally led me to the possibility of seeing it

Lloyd

Logistics
Logistics

Fun, huh?

Lloyd I'm just going to throw this in for what-it's worth:

I also toured with Tong and I also considered just using her for one day. Once I found out how cheap it was, I decided to keep her for the entire time except the final day and I was so GLAD I did. Our experience would have in no way been as enlightening as it was.

I have read your the large thread entitled "Visa for Angkor Wat" so it seems you haven't done much searching on this forum. In my opinion (and others) you can get great rates from Ponheary ([email protected]) if she is your guide. You need a guide and driver anyway so why not go for it. She has contacts for a broad range of pricing including her own guest house.

whoops posted this in the wrong place.