Working out of Bangkok for a month need advice on maximizing weekends
 

Hi,

I will be traveling to Thailand for a month (all of aug) to work at our Bangkok location, will be working weekdays but need advice on things to do in and around Bangkok (day trips are fine). I am s/f so safety is a concern and this is my first trip out there and so I am a little weary. I am mostly interested in good dining, sight seeing and maybe a weekend on the beach. Any advice is helpful.

Bangkok is a perfect location for exploring more of SE Asia. But since you'll only have weekends, let me give you some options that are close by.

- A day or an overnight trip to Ayutthaya (one of the old Thai capitals)
- A weekend at Hua Hin, a beach resort area 2 - 2.5 hours drive from Bangkok
- a weekend trip to Chiang Mai

There is a non-stop flight from BKK to Penang, Malaysia and a weekend in georgetown would be a delight - especially since you are interested in good food.

There is much to do and see in Bangkok. Hopefully you'll have time during the week to explore. And Bangkok is just full of good restaurants.

If it is crime you are concerned about, I expect bangkok is safer than wherever you live. It's safer than where I live! For other safety issues, don't ride on motorcycles. Its the leading cause of death for tourists in SE Asia.

Other advice: Use the skytrain and the water taxis as much as possible, as they will help you avoid bangkok's infamous traffic.

Where are you staying?

any of the thai resorts are a great weekend location.. hua hin, samui, chang, khao lak, areas of phuket, krabi, chiang mai, chiang rai..

also: vietnam, malaysia, myanmar

look at air asia for cheap flts..

a bkk hotel with a nice pool works well too..

i have a bkk restaurant list if you want it? ask at [email protected]
tons of good reasonable food around thailand..

Are you alone or are you with wife or girlfriend? If you are alone check out Pattaya. Only 2 hours by bus from Ekamai bus terminal. Lots of nightlife, cheaper hotels than Bangkok. Many malls, good restaurants, easy city to get around in. Local transportation there is only 10 baht. Beach is no good for actual swimming but okay for sunbathing and shopping, etc. Nearby Jomtien has a beach you can swim at and you can take a ferry boat ride to Koh Larn for only 30 baht from Bali Hai Pier, Walking Street. Hotels with A/C and private bathroom start at 500 baht in off season. Pay a little more and get a pool you can use.
http://www.holidaycityflash.com/thai...hings_todo.htm
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g2...tion.Maps.html
http://kohlarn.com/

From Bangkok you can sign up for daily tours to many of the nearby tourist spots. Just visit a local travel agency and check out what they have available. Check out Flight of the Gibbon.

If you have no budget concerns you can fly to Chiang Mai, Phuket or Hua Hin on weekends.

Up to you. (What you hear in beer bars.)

Thank you guys for all the responses, I have been told that now i have to work out of chiang mai and not Bangkok,any ideas?

From CM, you can fly to Bangkok for a weekend. Also, I love the Golden Triangle area, noth out of Chiang Rai. You might also consider a drive to Pai or Mae Hong Son. There are some lovely places out in the hills. Look, for instance, at the Fern Resort.

Do visit Doi Suthep, a wat on a hilltop near CM. Wander through the old walled town of CM.

Lots to do around Chiang Mai but August is a low season, rainy, and towns such as Pai and Mae Hong Son will be a bit quiet with lots of shops and restaurants closed.

Apart from what Kathie has recommended and without having to fly or leave the country you can visit Nan. Nice scenic town but require driving. You can also fly Air Asia direct to several destinations around the country.

My nieces did this last weekend and they loved it: http://segwaygibbon.com/

Great way to tour around Chiang Mai!

You can also try their zip line adventure as well: http://www.treetopasia.com/

OK a few basics:

1) Taxis- always tell the driver to use the meter.
2) Tuk Tuks - avoid them no matter what they tell you.If not you will be taken to jewelry/tailor shops.
3) Avoid the usual scams- such as the Grand Palace is closed today but there is a very special sale for tourists only!
4) As you only have a weekend- in BKK- try to book into a hotel next to a skytrain station such as the Plaza Athenee, Westin Sukhumvit, etc
5) If you are a shopper- in BKK - the mother of all markets- the weekend Market is a must- take bottled water along and be careful of your purse. And bargain!
6) Avoid eating street food - its just not worth the risk that your system will react to the local bacteria. Yes there are those that eat it all the time and don't get sick but if you do there goes your weekend.

Enjoy!

For a special treat...go to Four Seasons hotel for massage. Just to see this special hotel is worthwhile and the spa is a once on a lifetime. Make a reservation in advance. It is low season...they will treat you right.

Thank you, Fodors rocks!!

Any recommendations on a elephant ride/safari tour company in and around Chiang Mai? Wanted to do a one day thing but i am not sure if the safari companies treat the elephants humanely I would not want to support something that hurts the animals.

If you want to interact with elephants choose either the Thai Elephant Conservation Center at Lampang or the Elephant Nature park.

Please don't do an elephant ride or safari, where you will only contribute to their misery. If you want a meaningful and memorable day with elephants, make reservations for a day at the Elephant Nature Park where you will feed and bathe the elephants, enjoy a wonderful lunch, and learn so much about elephants and their plight. Here is a link for more info: http://www.elephantnaturepark.org/tour/index.htm