Hi, I am traveling to Bangkok and around Thailand in November. What should I see in Bangkok and Chiang Mai? I know there are a multitude of Buddist temples, one or two would be fine to see. How about the markets? And has anyone has a Thai massage---not one in the sex shops? Is it safe for a woman to travel alone?

It is definitely safe for a woman to travel alone. I have done it numerous times.

You need to get a guide book and/or read threads here on BKK. There are loads of options for you. You do not indicate what your interests might be. How about budget. Have you selected a hotel/apartment? And how long in each place?

Carol

You do need to start by buying a good guidebook. There are multitudes of things to see and do in both cities.

Thai massage is widely available. You can get one at Wat Po in Bangkok or at dozens of spas, or hundreds of massages places in both cities.

One thing I really enjoyed in Chiang Mai was the massage school at the women's prison and the attached craft shop. I was really pleased to find out that they rehabilitate their drug/sex workers there so that these women can re-enter society with some marketable skill. They also teach them some English.

One thing I loved whilst in Bangkok was doing a Thai Cooking School. We found a company that takes you two a local market and you experience the husle and bustle of it all before buying your produce then heading back to there beautiful house and making your 3 course meal. There is a variety of meal options you can chose from and you walk away with some great photos and a easy to recreate menu book!

Also, you cant go past the experience of the floating markets. Many companies offer this as a day tour where you can travel by bus, then hop onto there canoe like transport through canals where you see dogs on balconies, children playing by the water and huge temples before entering the floating market water ways - be sure to keep all body parts in the boat though. You can purchase almost anything you want from this place from food to handbags but such a cultrual experience to anything else you can imagine!

So many things to do...the list is endless!

I've never been to the floating market, but I go to the weekend market (Chatuchak) every weekend I'm in BKK. It's the biggest 'market' in the world, so I've been told. It's huge!!! You can buy everything and anything. If you can't buy it at Chatuchak, it probably does not exist...

Interesting about the floating market. I bypassed it on my week in Bangkok as everything I've seen and read just made it sound so "touristy" and well, phony!

Carol, I loved the Chatuchak market, but I spent hours looking to replace the pair of Patagonia zip off leg pants I accidentally left at the hotel in Xian. Despite hundreds of shops that had zip off pants, not one could I find in those newer "lighter than air" fabrics -- they were all so heavy. So that's something that I know exists (and probably in knock-off form too) that I just couldn't find there. And I passed up a small elephant shaped leather coin purse thinking I'd see lots more, but didn't, and couldn't find that stall again!

And Chatuchak is a great place to get a cheap but good foot massage after hours of walking the market stalls.

in bkk:

grand palace
wat pho, next door to gp
wat arun

v-mek palace--large teak palace

klong (canal) tour of thornburi
rides on the main river

shopping
eating fab foods, both thai and international at very reasonable prices

CM: doi sutep temple
walk through old town
leave town

Nancy Chandler has great maps for both Bangkok and Chiang Mai which cover all the main sights as well as restaurants, shopping areas, markets etc. These easy to follow are available all over BKK (inc. the airport) - Well worth the few baht they cost.

For great thai massages I would highly recommend the massage school just outside Wat Po (as opposed to the massage rooms actually in the temple) - IMHO the best in Bangkok.

I consider the Nancy Chandler maps indispensable. SO much more than maps, they are a wonderful guide to the two cities.

To the OP, if you have the time for a longer drive outside of Chiang Mai, Doi Inthanon is really gorgeous, at about 1 1/2 hours away! Drivers should know the way. And, it's near a waterfall and the highest point in Thailand (where my Thai friend said that was the coldest she had ever been in her life). Plus, there was a roadside market along the route, where we stopped for a look, and bought lots of very cheap items (bling jewelry, trinkets, etc).

Great information here! Bookmarking for my March trip to Thailand.