Dear all,
May i know where can i get baby clothings at wholesale price?
You can try Bobae Tower.
Hi mousehunt,
May i know if the quality is ok?
And do u happened to know the quantity required for each purchase?
Thanks in advance.
Regards,
sushi_kat
Hey, flying out tomorrow....so excited!!! Planning a trip from Bangkok to Kanchanaburi- tiger temple, floating market, bridge over river kwai. Is it possible to do this ourselves or are we better getting a guide???
You can do it yourself although a joining a tour (minibus) is quite economical. You can book from any street corner travel office. Hotel pick-up around 7am and dropped off back at hotel around 7pm so quite a long day.
You will have to pay admission at the tiger temple and extra for a boat trip at the floating markets. We have some pics of our trip here... www.bobandjanette.com which may help. We later returned by ourselves for an overnight trip to Kanchanaburi and the Australian War Museum at Hellfire Pass (highly recommended)
Happy %26amp; safe travels
Bob
We went a couple of days ago. It was great. See my post called ';getting around in an near Bangkok';.
The Tiger temple is reportedly a rip off that many say is best avoided. Don%26#39;t know though %26#39;cos we didn%26#39;t go. Just south of Kanchanaburi there is a fabulous temple called Wat Tham Seua. It is only a little distance off the road to Bangkok and is the most beautiful one, with the best views, that I have seen.
Cheers
Hi - If you have the time stay at Kanchanaburi - it is a lovely place and you can then spend some decent time at the places you want. We caught the bus from the Southern Bus Terminal to Kanchanaburi and stayed for three nights at a guesthouse and then organised ourselves from there. We went to Tiger Temple which we enjoyed even though very controversial. We hired bikes and rode around (very hot though) to the War Museum and Cemetary and river. Also went to Erawan National Park which was fantastic. Look into it more on the Kanchanaburi forum. Well worth visiting for more than a day.
Luiann
Were going to Patong in February, staying at Graceland Resort and haven%26#39;t booked any airport transfers. I have heard that the cheapest way is by metered Taxi? Having never been there before wondering if its easy enough to find a taxi or should i book something before we go?
We will be going from Patong to Phi Phi Island for a few nights and haven%26#39;t booked transfers there either..
There%26#39;s no need to organise your hotel transfer in advance, same for getting to Phi Phi you will easily organise that after your arrival. This Inside Page should assist you further;
tripadvisor.com/Travel-g293920-s304/Phuket:T…
Easy to arrange but make sure you get a metered taxi. Turn right as you exit the terminal and walk 50 meters to the end of the veranda.
Pay the man at the taxi booth 100 baht and he will call a metered taxi around to the front. When you arrive at your Patong hotel pay the driver the fare on the meter....about 400 baht.
Ignore offers of limo, taxi, metered taxi etc as you walk to the metered taxi booth.
We have some pics of the booth and the metered taxis on our Phuket tip page here... www.bobandjanette.com
When you book your ferry to Phi Phi island (from just about any street corner), the fare normally included hotel pick-up.
Happy %26amp; safe travels
Thank you so much!!!! Information and links are very helpful.
Are there any toy shop%26#39;s in Pattaya? Looking for Transformers and Lego.
Thanks
Cessnock
Try Big C, or Central department store.
yes central dept store has a prety good toy section on i think flo0r 4 ( it%26#39;s next to a big bookshop just in case you%26#39;re wondering why i know!) and i think there may be a toysrus in the attached mall.
Are there two Dusits in Pattaya? Does not seem to be many up to date reviews on the Dusit Resort?
Kat
There are 2 the Dusit Thani and Dusit D2. Think the Dusit Thani used to be the Dusit Resort in the UK brochures until last year.
Great hotel by the way.
Many thanks :-)
Kat
yes the dusit lies at the north end of pattaya bay - a super super hotel with lovely teraces and pools. the dusit d2/barracuda is a new self styled boutique hotel on second road with i believe atrendy bar and fodd - but no grounds and not in the quietest of locations.
Hi,
We%26#39;re going to be in Kata in a few weeks time with our 18 month old and was wondering if anyone had any recommendations for playgrounds in Kata? Or other good spots for an 18 month old?
Cheers
julie
Would like to visit Phuket in Dec and has come across this accomodation. Can anyone care to advise? I%26#39;m travelling with my son who is 8 yrs old, is there any kids club in this place? will it be inconvenient to travel to other parts of phuket from here?
Yes, Kids club is available at Laguna complex.
Please visit the web site of Allamanda Phuket. or Laguna Phuket. They have a kid club there.
Hello,
Would request my fellow trip-advisors to guide me for my Thailand trip in late November. My spouce and I will be flying in from KL using AirAsia (23rdish). Have my heart and mind set on Krabi. Will probably take the white airport shuttle to drop me off at ';Aonang Goodwill';. Thinking of booking it for 2-3 nights and then visit Phuket (Pacific Club Resort at Karon), My things to do list consists of Romantic walks and clinning at beach. Kayaking/Seein the beauty of Hong Isle. A day at West Railey Beach. Bargain Shopping for the Mrs and some water Sports/Bungee Jumping for me. I also like the idea of a neat night-life.
Our aniversery would be on the 26th and we would be at Phuket then. My concern is that Krabi and Phuket may both be too much of beach time and as such the needless travel from Aolang to Phuket.Kindly advise on my following concerns:
1)IF Aolang/Railey and then Karon will be too much of same old beach time and as such will Phuket be worth going to just for the Shopping/Watersports/Nightlife?
2)IF not too much of beach time will it be a good idea to be at Phuket for our aniv on the 26th?
3)Best and cheapest way to transfer from Aolang(Krabi) to Karon(Phuket)
Would it be worthwile to just Stay at krabi area and skip Phuket for good??? Also if at phuket will have to take the 8am flight to KL for onward journey. Or else have the option of going to KL a day early from Krabi itself.
Thanks in advance for helping out with my confusion.
regards
how much time do you have in total to spemd?
22nd nov to 25th nov followed by 2 days at KL or 24th to 27th after doing KL.
so thats basically 3 nights 4 days.
I%26#39;m a bit confused now myself lol. So you have 3 night/4 days total of beach time? Either 4 days before OR after KL? Or 4 days before AND 4 days after KL? I would just stay at one place or the other if it is 4 days total. If you have 4 days at Phuket and 4 days at Krabi, that would be great then.
Railay/Krabi is very different from most of the other beach destinations. It%26#39;s surrounded by limestone cliffs and very beautiful and scenic. All the restaurants are right in front of the beach/ocean and are open air on Railay. Ao Nang has a few beachfront options. The beach on Railay is fantastic!You can go cliff climbing at Railay. There is also kayaking. Day trips are available to the hongs as well as to Phang Nga Bay or to Phi Phi. There is some nightlife on Railay, but it is pretty laid back. Ao Nang is a bit more livelier, but not compared to Phuket.
Its 2 days of KL before OR after Thailand.
Am thinking a day at Phuket with other 3 at Krabi.
Kindly assist with best/cheapest mode to transfer from Phuket(Karon) to Krabi(Aonang). Also is ';Aonang Goodwill'; OK as a ';';base hotel';';. Its really looking attractive at 1000 Bhats a night.
Thanks again.
I think if you have your heart set on Krabi then spend all of your time there. Your holiday in Thailand is too short for more than one destination.
We got a chance to do an overnight stay at Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai. It was the highlight of a 2 week trip, our second, to Thailand.
This operation was born out of a love of a woman for her country and its elephants who, despite their size and strength, are not surviving the transition to the 21st century. I want to thank Lek and all her staff for making our stay there wonderful and eye-opening regarding the plight of Thailand%26#39;s elephants.
The most amazing thing was that my mother-in-law who is Thai, has spent years proudly taking friends and family on tours of Thailand and showing off her wonderful country of origin. Part of the trips included visits to the elephant camps. She never knew, just like we didn%26#39;t when we were at an elephant camp last trip, the ugly truth behind trekking, logging, and elephant shows and begging.
After having spent the time at Elephant Nature Park and learning the way that elephants are tortured into submission in order to perform a show, or trek, or even street beg, I asked her if this is the type of experience she would rather show other friends and family. She replied, '; 100%, of course.';
I hope that others read this thread and make the humane choice of not supporting the exploitation of Thailand%26#39;s last remaining domestic elephants, and instead support a wonderful organization and operation that seeks to rehabilitate and heal all the damage of years of overwork does to these fellow mammals.
My favorite experiences were watching the mahouts and Lek put the babies down for their naps and our misadventure with getting chased by excited baby elephants which got the dogs going which ended up in my father-in-law tripping and scraping himself up which then led to a convergence of a worried Lek, mahouts, and tour guides all finding him laughing on his back with baby elephants snickering as they ran back to their herd, ';Mischief Made!!';
Can anyone tell me if it is worth getting your glasses subscription made up in bangkok. Are they much cheaper than at home (Australia) and do you just have to take your script with you. How long does it take and where is a good place to go....thankx
Each time I go to BKK I pick up a pair of glasses.. Well, almost every time. Modern Optical has done a good job for me. Cost 5-6k for Progressive lense. They were ready when I was promised.. The one I went to was down around soi 19 off Suk. I happen to like the service they give me there, and remember me each time..
Top Charoen have branches everywhere and do a good job.
Yes, they are far cheaper than Australia. Particularly the frames. Just bring your script with you, or you can have your eyes tested in Bangkok by the optometrists. They are world class.
I%26#39;ve used Washington Optical for years. They have branches along Sukhumvit, the one I go to is in the Times building.
Top Charoen are everywhere in Thailand, however, they are a franchise and as such, the usual franchise fee will be added. That is not to say that you can%26#39;t cut a deal with them.
Remember to bargain if you think the price is too high, but overall, optics in Thailand is brilliant.
Never heard of a ';franchise fee'; for a customer at Top Charoen, which offer very competitive prices. Perhaps are you referring to the 2 or 3% credit card transaction fee?
The franchise fee won%26#39;t appear as a separate charge, it will be included in the overal price of the frames and lenses. The operators of each shop pay a frenchise fee on each sale to the Master Franchisor.
Like everywhere else it pays to shop around. You%26#39;ll get perhaps better service at an independent than say Top Charoen but will probably have less of a selection of frames. Top Charoen%26#39;s headline price is not necessarily higher as they buy in bulk so offsetting the franchise fee but an independent can cut you a better deal as he/she is responsible for his own profit margins.
Can someone please tell me what optical dispensers are in the Pratunam area. We will be there in a few weeks.
Can someone please tell me what optical dispensers are in the Pratunam area. We will be there in a few weeks.
Has anyone stayed in this Hotel. I can%26#39;t find it anywhere in the Tripadvisor Ratings List.
Any info on it would be appreciated: Cost, Comfort, Locale, Staff etc
Roggoes
Its rather old. The MIke%26#39;s group have several other more modern hotels in north Pattaya with good facilities and service. Mike Beach Resort, Mike Garden Resort etc.
Mike hotel is in the Mike Dpt store, an old small shopping center, the hotel is over 20 years old with a small pool and offer good location.
Does anybody know how what is the bus schedule from Sukhothai to Bangkok? I desperately need to know, but can%26#39;t find anything online.
How many times per day do buses leave to Bangkok?
When is the last bus leaving?
thanks!
I found this, see if it helps;
thailand.com/travel/getthere/getthere_sukhot…
http://www.transport.co.th/ has the Thai bus schedules. It is in Thai but if your browser is Explorer just use the translate button. In case that does not work...it shows 6 departure times, the first at 09:20 and the last at 23:00. I took the public bus from Sukothai to Bangkok a couple of years ago and it was very comforable. It takes around 7 hours including around 1/2 hour meal break. I just showed up and booked on the day - no trouble.
http://www.transport.co.th/ has the Thai bus schedules. It is in Thai but if your browser is Explorer just use the translate button. In case that does not work...it shows 6 departure times, the first at 09:20 and the last at 23:00. I took the public bus from Sukothai to Bangkok a couple of years ago and it was very comforable. It takes around 7 hours including around 1/2 hour meal break. I just showed up and booked on the day - no trouble.
Hi,
We%26#39;re looking at hiring a car in Krabi so we can do a bit of our own touring, then driving it to Kata and maybe keeping it for a day or two there to drive around Phuket - thinking of having it maybe a total of 4 or 5 days. Can anyone please recommend reputable car hire companies based in Ao Nang that will let us drop it off in Phuket? We%26#39;ve been told the drive from Krabi to Phuket is quite nice - sounds more appealing than an overcrowded ferry (we%26#39;re going in January).
There are quite a few hire car companies in Krabi and yes the drive is quite scenic.
If you have the time take the drive to Phuket via Khao Lak stopping overnight there before heading on to Phuket the next day. Each leg is only about 2-3 hrs plus sightseeing along the way. Roads are all good and well sign posted.
I%26#39;ll stop short of recommending any hire companies, but be aware there will be additional costs for one way drop off.
We have some pics, map and stories of our recent trip here... www.bobandjanette.com which may help.
Happy %26amp; safe travels
Bob
If your rental is 3 days or then the norm is no one way fee with the big companies Budget etc
Hi we are traveling from KL to Chiang Mai with air asia via BKK and then back to KL are there any entry or exit fees that need to be paid at any of the airports and also is 3 hrs enough time to clear customs at BKK and check into new flight to Chiang Mai
Thanks
Petedeb
G%26#39;day Pete,
Yes any fee%26#39;s payable are already included in the cost of your air ticket. Three hours is ample.
Thanks never sure some countries still require you to pay visa charges or exit fees so i thought i would check here
petedeb
No fees from the CM end, I fly quite ofter to KL. But you might just check your baggage allowance as Air Asia love to get you on that one. Keep some change with you on the plane in case you need to eat, rent headphones, buy a drink or use the bathroom.
use the bathroom??is there a charge for that then ?
AirAsia was based on the RyanAir model, so not so fanciful for a future development!
No fees for using bathrooms on Air Asia.
Petedeb, we%26#39;ve flown Air Asia on the CM to KL leg - it was a brand new plane and a nice 3.5 hour flight.
No complaints at all.
Everyone was on board and ready to go early, so the plane left 20 mins early!
We are doing a repeat journey early next year.
No taxes, but yes, watch your luggage weight.
Caroline.
I was kidding about the bathroom charge but Ryanair, the precurser and role model for all low budget airlines recently mentioned that they were considering charging for bathroom usage.
Forget charges for bathroom usage, is this a sign of things to come?
smh.com.au/travel/travel-news/use-toilet-bef…
Save pennies rather than spending them!
Dear all,
May i know where can i get baby clothings at wholesale price?
Regards,
sushi_kat
Bobae markets is where you need to go. Right in the middle of town. There is stacks and stacks of wholesale stuff up in the tower building there. (Air con too)
Thanks ptopz...
Will head straight there when i reach bkk.
I%26#39;m not much into reggae or trance so I was wondering whether there are any bars/hotels with real live music (blues, rock jazz, etc). I was there twice in the last 2 years but found nothing really, except 2 western guys playing guitar and sax at a lovely little restaurant at Chewang north, near the Boathouse.
I remember about 20 years ago there were a few places along the main strip which had some good bands...
If anyone knows anything, I%26#39;d much appreciate it as I%26#39;m going again next week with my family.
nowadays in chaweng only less amount of hotel are Doing Live band music........Because it cost more for them........and also this low season so its rare to find Live band.......i saw one hotel in chaweng doing this job.......on the way to reggae hotel name is LAEM DIN hotel.......you can try out there restaurant name is Ground...
Thanks for this information. I%26#39;ll check out the hotel.
I went in 2004 and seem to remember there was a huge outdoor style bar made of wood, with some sort of Reggae name that did different types of music. It is not on the coast, but a bit further in along the Chaweng region?
Is it still there?
My favourite place for live music is upstairs in tropical murphy%26#39;s which is just across the road from Mcdonalds on the main strip. They have live music most nights and there is usually a good atmosphere!
Have to agree with Sammi . Been going for 10 years or so . Good staff , cold beers, good food , good music , overall great for a good night out ANDY
When are you going? I am there the middle of next month. If I am there before you I will let you know if I find anywhere else that is good. Have just been informed that the same people have another new bar/restaurant called Coyotes opposite which also have live music so may be worth checking out!
Thanks Sammi. I didn%26#39;t know about Murphy%26#39;s. I check it out. I%26#39;ll be there from Oct 24-31st. If I can get out without the kids, I%26#39;ll buy you a beer.
Hi have search around forum but never see anybody post about above topic
Can anyone hep me on this
one post is enough please. what exactly do you want to know?
Can%26#39;t help you with scooters, but if you want to take beautiful photos, and you like beaches, try Kata Noi and Laem Sing. Kata Noi is 15-20 minutes south of Patong and Laem Sing is 15-20 minutes north of Patong. Promthep Cape is great for photos at sunset. Promthep Cape is on the south west corner of Phuket.
I%26#39;m with dragonc - totally confused.
Plenty of posts on Phuket forum about scooter rentals...!!??
And I%26#39;ll guarantee lots of Photos have been taken of Landscapes and natural surroundings on Phuket too.....!!??....I have some if you would like to see them....!!??....But I don%26#39;t post the fact that I have them...!!??....
Hi thank for nice post cant wait for it i will be there next week ..
how about night life in patong.. is great as pattaya??
I shall be going to Bangkok on Monday and shall be there for 3 days before moving onto Krabi for 1 week and comming back to Bangkok for a further 2 days. I have been reading a lot of teh reviews to get an idea of what we can do during out time and Bangkok.
I was just wondering if someone could clarify if Chao Praya River is where you are able to go on a Dinner Cruise? We are quite keen to go on either go on the Loy Nava or Grand Pearl. Are these sittuated on the Chao Praya River and are we able to just turn up on the evening that we want to do the cruise or do you have to book in advance?
My husband is also looking to get some Taylor made shirts. Can anyone suggest suggest where he would be able to buy these and how much they would cost?
We are also looking to visit the Grand Palace/MBK/Patpong night market and floating Market. Can anyone give me advice on how to get to these places. We shall be staying at the Amari Atrim Hotel
Please book your trip to Chao Praya River (floating market) in advance from the travel agency along the streets. I know one in Pratunam just in front of Baiyoke Sky Hotel their rates are quite reasonable. Cos%26#39; over at the jetty, they quote very unreasonable prices for tourist.
My fiance just made 2 set of suits, 1 vest, 2 shirts, 2 tie... at MBK shopping centre level 2, 289 Design, right at the end (near the toilet)...for about 10 000 bahts... They provide good service. Look for Mike. You can check out their store and see if you like it. Do not got to the tailor shops the TUK-TUK drivers bring you to... I heard they are quite unreliable.
You can try taking tuk-tuk for an experience. But metered-taxi can be cheaper and more comfortable.
For transportation, either you can take a taxi (ask them to turn on their meter) or take their BTS (train)...
That%26#39;s all I have!
Enjoy your trip! Happy holiday!
Do NOT book Loy Nava (http://www.loynava.com) at a travel agent as they mark up the prices. Contact through the website and make a booking in advance ad make sure you get a clear price quote. They include hotel pick up and do not make any charges in advance - you pay near the end of the cruise. And yes, its on the Chao Phrya River.
Hi,
We did the Grand Pearl in December, and booked through their website. Had a fantastic evening out, I can highly recommend it.
Just back from Thailand a couple days ago and wanted to give the update regarding ATM fees. Yes, the banks are charging them. We tried to use Aeon and Government Saving Bank, but perhaps it was location of time of day or week, but they never had money in them so we were unable to confirm their lack of ATM fees for foreign cards.
I was able to compare retail rates and ATM rates and this is what I found:
Transaction # 1 Retail TC/Baht 33.14 ATM 33.45
Transaction # 2 Retail TC/Baht 33.19 ATM 33.49
Transaction # 3 Retail TC/Baht 33.10 ATM 33.33
My ATM rate accounts for the 150 baht fee, so you can see that there is always an advantage for going with plastic. My overall advantage for the trip was about 200 baht, enough for an extra drink or two. Not much, but in the end it is the principal of sticking it to the banks. If there were no ATM fees, my advantage would have been 650, enough for a nice meal.
For those converting cash to baht, the difference is even more marked since cash gets a worse rate, about 32.90 compared to what you see above for traveller%26#39;s checks to baht.
Hope this helps someone make the right choice about how to maximize travel bucks. ATMs are the way to go.
The two ATMs you mentioned are outside the banking system. Aeon is a credit service aimed at lower income group and not a bank. The GSB is a state bank not part of the central clearing system.
Hi
Will be on Phi Phi in mid November and looking for a hotel/resort with a swim up bar. Might seem like a stupid question but me and the missus have been backpacking for 3 months and staying in some pretty cheap guesthouses and she is desparate to stay somewhere nice with a swim up bar. Budget is around 60USD a night.
Cheers
Personally I wouldn%26#39;t use a pool with a swim-up bar unless there was a swim-up toilet at the other end.
thanks for the helpful post
Senjan, your post cracked me up! I know some people make it a habit of peeing in the pool but now I can imagine how disgusting the pool water would be if there was a pool bar. You could drink all day at the pool bar and never leave to go to the restroom.
Just purchase your own and take it to the beach!
You really don%26#39;t need the swim up pool!
someone give this guy a proper answer!
someone give this guy a proper answer!
Hi I have read that there are a number of supermarket / 7Eleven type stores to purchase goods/supplies from. Could someone advise if you can get real orange juice (not orange drink) and mixers such as bitter lemon easily. We thought whilst sitting by the pool or before heading out we could have a relaxing drink at our hotel however I have been caught before in Vietnam where I could not locate dry-ginger for the life of me. Thanks for your time.
Only 94 sleeps Yahhoooo :0)
Real orange juice is widely available, more than orange flavoured drink. Never seen bitter lemon or dry ginger drinks but they may be available in places like Villa supermarket.
I havn%26#39;t seen bitter lemon either, but Swheppes Ginger Ale available in cans in many bars, and is for sale at Tesco.
At the bars ask for ';nam king';
Hi there, can anyone tell me what the weather does in Krabi in Mid June time?
Thanks,
Emma
It tends to be very wet, but it%26#39;s warm rain and usually not continuous. It might spill every few hours or just once a day or so. Continuous rain is possible, but rare. In between, it will be sunny or partly cloudy. The sea tends to be rough, many ferries aren%26#39;t running, and accommodation, particularly on outlying islands, is sometimes shut down or operating at a low-season low.
The east coast, and the islands Samui Phangnan and Tao have better weather during that period of the year.
That%26#39;s hot season in Krabi. It is also the best time for travelling to Thailand.
So there%26#39;s two completely conflicting answers?!
Anyone else?
Snow?
I%26#39;m afraid nattycandy is simply not correct.
Krabi has two seasons: the hot, dry season from November to April, and the rainy season from May to October. This can vary according to the year, but June is usually fairly wet.
I was in Trang (nearby) in June one year, and when it wasn%26#39;t raining, it was so humid that walking down the street felt like swimming.
In June, the average rainfall is 212 mm. In February, it%26#39;s 30 mm. The rainiest month is September. The hottest months are March and April.
Here%26#39;s a good description of low season in Krabi: www.yourkrabi.com/low-season-in-krabi.php
Hi Emma,
Take a look at this post by lost_farang on a month by month general guide for Krabi weather:
tripadvisor.com/…16911256
This should clear up any misunderstandings.
Also in the upper right hand corner of the Krabi forum are some good FAQs on the area that might interest you.
Thanks very much for your help.
I don%26#39;t know if it will stop me going, it%26#39;s a stop off on a 3 month travel round SE Asia....
We had a wonderful guide, Sipohn, who took us to Doi Inthanon national park, which is about 1.5 hour by car. He went out of his way to make sure we have a great time.
Sipohn is not your typical tour/trekking guide. Because he has a deep understanding of Buddhism, (he has a masters or phD degree in Buddhism) he treats everyone with such sincerity and kindness. He has a great relationship with the Karen people who live in a village in Doi Inthanon. He can speak the language of Karen people and often chatted with the Karens as he showed us around the village. He took us to the school and the kids all seem to know him and came right up to him. We also tasted the wonderful coffee, grown and roasted by the village people. It was soooo delicious. We even brought some beam home. He took us hiking in a unmarked trail that only the village people know. Along the hike we passed beautiful waterfalls, creeks, forest of bamboos and trees, and picturesque terrace rice fields.
We also went to three other well know waterfalls. They are beautiful. Doi inthanon is definitely a highlight of my 16 day trip. Sipohn no doubt has added to my experience.
So how do we contact sipohn to do tour with him. there are 4 of us travelling together to Chang-mai in 2 weeks
I have another guide contact ';Joy'; who we used for 2 days. There seems to be a lot of good ones which is great but his email is onecoolsoda@hotmail.com
his website is www.Thailand-private-drivers.com
He gave us a guided tour of the temple in the hills he is a buddist also so can explain the philosophy, translated when needed, answered all questions, his English is great and tells you all you need to know ............the car seats 6/7. He took us to great restaurants and on one of the days it was $8 for the 3 of us ! Great sense of humor too ! We used him for nearly 2 days and it was $84 or 2500 Baht and you of course pay for his lunch. Just fantastic.
Hi superdds,
May I know how many days did you hire him for and how did he charge you? If you don%26#39;t mind, may I know how much did you pay for his services as well?
Thanks.
We booked to stay at The North Hotel for two nights last week - we only stayed one night!
I%26#39;m not sure what other people have said about this hotel, but our experience wasn%26#39;t great.
We arrived and had to immediately as for our bed to be changed - there was hair all over it and the sheets/pillow cases were all stained.
The %26#39;white%26#39; towels that lay on the bed for us, well they weren%26#39;t white but grey and very old.
The owner wasn%26#39;t overly helpful when we booked in, asked if we wanted to book some tours through him and when we said we didn%26#39;t, that was pretty much the end of the conversation. ';Here is a map, we are here, if you go down this road you%26#39;ll find this or that'; would have been a helpful thing for the host to do.
The two young guys who were working there were only really interested in catching up with people out the back of the hotel or surfing the net.
Breakfast - appalling!
All in all, not a good time for us in at The North Hotel.
You can add your review and photo%26#39;s of the yellow towels if you like, in a more permanent way, from this page;
tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g297920-d110226…
Just click on ';write a review'; toward the bottom of the page. It will then be available for other travellers long after this thread has disappeared into obscurity.
Il Pirata Restaurant Chiang Rai, on the other hand is not listed here.
Use this link to get it added;
www.tripadvisor.com/ListingRequest?t=Eatery
Thanks for this review. I was just about ready to book the North Hotel for a trip this spring but may reconsider after reading this.
Broder
Hey - thanks for that feedback.
We might re-think as well.....
It was the ease of the location I really liked - but dirty sheets!
No thanks.
Caroline.
We were going to book for January. They said they had an apartment on the 5th floor ( no lift) that would sleep 4 and offered to send me some photos as there dont seem to be any of this room.
Despite several reminders and 6 weeks later, I still I%26#39;m still waiting. So we booked Le Meridian - a lot more expensive but thats the price of peace of mind :)
Hi,
Ditto re all the above. We also were about to book the North. Given all said we will of course re-consider as well. WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE any alternative suggestions!
I like LaLuna, it%26#39;s down the road somewhat, but there%26#39;s usually tuk tuks out the front... THB50 is about the rate to get to the night market area.
Laluna is solid, and clean, nice pool and grounds...
Reviews here;
tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g297920-d606955…
Their own website;
http://www.lalunaresortchiangrai.com/
Hints for hunting down the best online deal here;
tripadvisor.com/Travel-g293915-c121265/Thail…
Expect to pay around the AU$50 even during high season.
I wouldn%26#39;t hold out much hope of getting the photos of the apartment - and I%26#39;d question the size of the rooms that they%26#39;ve told you.
In our room, I had to stand against the wall so my partner could get around me to his side of the bed! Luckily we had left some of our luggage at the guest house where we were staying in CM - if we hadn%26#39;t I%26#39;m not sure where we would have put it all!
I think our linen cupboard at home is bigger than the bathroom - you just couldn%26#39;t move in there.
I know it was only costing A$25 per night, but I think I%26#39;ve stayed in better backpackers accommodation in my younger years!
We had a drink at the Le Meridian and it was totally beautiful!
Hi Boy 45:
I noticed you haven%26#39;t yet posted a review of this hotel under the Chiang Rai hotel section of TA. The North Hotel is petty highly rated (#12) in the hotel section and most travelers will go to that section to review and select hotels.
I%26#39;d be most appreciative if you could place a review of The North Hotel under the ';hotel'; portion of the Chiang Rai section of TA. You could even ';cut and paste'; from your comments on this forum. It%26#39;s important for other travelers who might be looking for a hotel a few months from now, when your forum posts won%26#39;t be at the top of the list, to be able to benefit from your experience.
Thanks for considering this.
Broder
Hi Broder - Boy45 is still in Chiang Mai staying at The Chedi for a few more days. I think she came on and posted a few things.
No doubt, she will follow up when she gets home. (hopefully).
I%26#39;m still in two minds about it - mainly because we are only there for one night and want to be right in the night market. My sister in law has a bad knee and can%26#39;t walk very far at all.
I remember Graham who stayed there recently was happy - but maybe he had the suite upstairs with more room?
Anyway - will go back and read the reviews again.
Jermsak recommends %26#39;Moon and Sun%26#39; and did say in his opinion it is a lot better than The North. It certainly looks better on their web page. It is only 10 mins walk from the night market and towards the river - so a short tuk tuk ride or walk. Could be another option. Similar price from memory.
Caroline.
Hi Broader and Caroline, I%26#39;m still sort of on here (this site is so addictive)...I will make sure I post a review on the North in the hotel review section when I get back home.
Caroline, if you do decide to stay at the North, your sister in law may have trouble with the stairs...there are about 10-15 stairs to get up to each floor and they are quite steep. We were on the 3rd floor. Not sure if they have any ground floor apartments.
Will post more on our trip when we get home.
Thanks for all you advice guys (Broader on the orphanage and Jermsak) and Caroline, as I said to you, I would bring your ';list of favourite things to do in CM'; with us and we have done it all!
Hi we are going to Bandara resort and spa mid Nov for my 50th. We have 2 days shopping in Bangkok first and was wondering what shopping was like at Koh Samui in comparison....Any tips be much appreciated I have a addidition to jeans......
Hi
If its clothing especially jeans you are after you will find Bangkok has a far bigger selection and cheaper prices. Check out the markets by Indra Regent hotel in Bangkok for best selection or MBK
Just over four weeks to go and I%26#39;m so excited!! Just hoping weather improves as it%26#39;s not looking too great at the moment :( Anyone else going around the same time? We get there 20th November and stay for 12 nights. Staying at the Sheraton Grande Laguna (chose this for the kids for its kids club and baby elephants). Have pre-booked two boat trips - Captain Mark at start of holiday and Simba at end (going to Phi Phi Islands). Have also booked Mr Sam for a day. Any other suggestions for places to go to while we%26#39;re there would be much appreciated. Also any recommendations on restaurants in the Bang Tao area.
Myself and my daughter are staying in Karon from 20th-30th November. Have booked Simba tour to Phi Phi Island on 25th November - what date are you going on that tour?
We%26#39;re going with Simba on Nov. 23, and with Capt. Mark on Nov. 25. We%26#39;ll be in Phuket from Nov. 21-Nov. 27.
We leave in a bit over 3 weeks for Thailand, and we are getting very excited !!! :)
We%26#39;re going with Captain Mark on 23rd November and Simba on 1st December. Both trips look fantastic!!
Hi Guys,
As the airline has lost my luggage i am in desperate need of a travel adapter to charge cameras, phone etc....
Does anyone know of where i can buy one for use of Australian elctrical devices?
Is anyone from OZ who is here willing to sell theirs if they are heading back home.....
Many thanks for any help.
Karen
HI Karen,
I%26#39;m surprised your hotel doesn%26#39;t have one but if not go to the upper floors of MBK where you will find loads of electrical shops/stalls who should fix you up.
HI
this is a good reason why you should never pack any electronic%26#39;s
in checked bags.
but most newer camera%26#39;s and phones and laptops have universal chargers that work on any current
all of mine do
check the specs on your electronics.
I%26#39;m sur even Watsons (chemist) and the 7/11%26#39;s have them. They are everywhere. Just ask at a few shops. don%26#39;t panic you won%26#39;t have any trouble finding one.
Hi.
There are thousands of them at markets and street stalls for about 20 Baht.
Cheers
I got mine at BIG W , tandy and dick smith have got them.
I am in Bkk this sunday for 2 weeks ..whooooooo hoooooooooo :-)
Dear friends, I would be visiting Phuket around middle of Nov. I planned to rent a car and drive around the island. I had been to Phuket before and had found the most easy place to get lost is in town.Is a GPS useful to navigate the roads in Phuket town.
Also which brand of GPS has the best function. Your advise and assistance wil be greatly appreciated.
Tomjudy
Not sure any real need its not like your driving in Bangkok, but Budget do provide GPS with rental cars need t request in advance see cost below
Can now request for all depots
THB100/ day for 1~4 day hire.
THB500/rental for 5~9 days hire
THB1,000/rental for 10~30 days hire
Hi, I use a Garmin.
Well,it is still a machine,and at times,when satellite signal is poor,still have to stop and ask for directions;so I still suggest having a road map(with Thai language on it).
In town, best is to use buildings as landmark;I have reached a stage of not knowing the street names anymore,but know how to get around.
Best,also when approaching Thalang and Chalong circle(Hai Yak),is to know which turn to take already,than depending on the GPS.
Best,if you could have one,or at the rental company, save all the POIs in my locations,so save entering data.
Happy and safe driving,and advise that you do obtain an international driving permit.Be careful of weaving motorists and when approaching places with a lot of ';soi';(lanes)
I don%26#39;t think it would nmatter which brand, use one that has Thailand maps available. I think Navman does, as I am sure some others do.
I agree with the OP. Phuket Town can be very confusing, and any navigational tools there can be very welcome. problem is going to be though there are many one way streets there, which is part of the confusion.
So I would say: give it a go and let us know here afterwards, I for one am curious to find out whether it did help.
I have not often seen them used in Phuket, so i would also be interested to hear if they are useful at all.
Phuket Town is very hard to navigate at night, but it is really quite small.
If you cant use a GPS then I suggest you look at basic geography of the island. Most of the signs say to Patong, Chalong, or the Airport, and if you dont know roughly where they are on the island you will have a big problem getting around.
Thanks alot for all your advises. I shall give you a report after I tried it next month.
Tomjudy
I%26#39;d be interested to know where I can buy or download maps for Southern Thailand for a Garmin GPS. The Garmin shop has quoted £130 for a full SE Asia map which includes Southern Thailand but probably not at the detailed level I want. Also that is nearly twice the cost of the basic GPS device!
Hello going to Centara Villas 25th Nov for 2 weeks. What is the best currency to take THB or Dollars? .What do the restaurants accept in currency?
Thai baht. No one accepts US$.
Take your GB Pounds and don%26#39;t change a single one until you get there.
tripadvisor.com/Travel-g293915-s601/Thailand…
so its best not to change money till in Thailand ? Do you get a better deal then?
So what you are saying is to change money in Thailand %26amp; not the UK.
Correct, you get a better rate here.
ONLY change in Thailand. You get much better rate.
Thank you for the Info.
Hi,
I%26#39;m flying into Koh Samui from Bangkok, on route to Koh Toa - can anyone recommend a hotel / hostel near the port that is OK and for just one night?.
Alternatively any suggestions that you might have for the 1 night that I am in Koh Samui would be apprecaited.
Best Regards,
Helen
Hi Helen,,,the Mermaid in Banrak is your best bet, cheap clean some restaurants near and only 5 mins from the airport and walking distance from Big Buddah Pier where the boats go from.
jonno
Thanks mate - I%26#39;ll look into it now.
H
To Koh Tao I think the best is Lomprayah%26#39;s catamaran. Their pier is in Maenam and hotels close to it are Coco Palm, Pinnacle, Phalarn Inn and Home Bay.
To go to Koh Tao you can use 3 piers - Seatran pier, Big Buggha pier - for these 2 piers stay in Samui Mermaid hotel which is very next door to them. If you use Lompraya pier in Maenam - then hotels from concretemixer%26#39;s post.
any tips to battering and haggling in thailanld bangkok and pattaya thanks anyone
Battering? I hope not LOL. Bartering is to exchange one set of goods or service
for another and few do that. Haggling or bargaining is normal in markets, stalls, small shops but not in departments stores, 7-11, Tesco Lotus, Carrefour etc. Don%26#39;t expect 50-80% off anything. 10-40% is possible depending on what it is you%26#39;re buying.
MBK mall has a mixture of stalls and shops where you can bargain, and other shops and department store where you can%26#39;t bargain.
yes sorry batering spelling mistake lol ;;; thanks for the info so dont expect it way to cheap thanks
i cant get it right bartering finally yes i would like to know how much to start from and maybe when i think its a fair price thanks
When you think its fair is when you are happy with the price. You could start by offering half with a big smile. Keep the bargaining light, friendly and fun, don%26#39;t be serious. I like to joke that I can%26#39;t afford it because I have to take care of my poor old white haired grandmother - makes them laugh!
Its common for people to say bartering but like the first poster says its unlikely you%26#39;ll be exchanging goods.
The way i haggle i generally offer 50% with a smile, they laugh and shake there heads and say ';nooooo i have to eat'; and then pull out the calculator and bounce it back up by 40%. I then laugh and say %26#39;but i have to eat too%26#39; and offer about 60% of the price as my final offer. They either take it or i start walking and generally they call me back and agree. It%26#39;s all done in fun and with a smile. It depends how much you want it, what the item is, who you are dealing with, etc etc. At the end of the day the item is no doubt quite cheap anyway and these people don%26#39;t earn that much so i always think to myself that if i pay a few extra baht at least the money goes to people who need it.
yes thanks for the replies sounds good cant wait to try it out yes the items are cheap and they dont get much ,. so will be mindful of that %26#39;%26#39;%26#39;%26#39;
in some market stalls you will be qouted double the price ,other places you will be lucky to get much discount at all .ask yourself what you are happy to pay for something and stick with that
Or 9 more sleeps or whateverrrrrrr ....on our way back to Phuket.....whoo hoo....BTW is anyone going to be at the Sat nite BBQ on 31st ......
Hi, Finding several options for luxury airport transfer service. Does anyone have recommendations or experience with Asiaweb, which is listed as 1000 baht each way. Going to Karon.
Thanks!
Hi, my experience of a “Limo” in Phuket is a Toyota Camry for about 800 Baht that doesn’t take you to the jewellers, tailors or some shop if they can’t pick you as first timers.
Where are you getting a Mercedes from, Mom Tris?
Enjoy
shway
Hi, are you sure it is THB1,000 to Karon in a Mercedes Benz with AsiaWeb. Is Asia Web as in Asia Web Direct.
It is showing THB1,550.00
It is just a normal E class Mercedes,not the S class-nothing really to give the ';wow'; factor,unless,you want to experience a ride in a diesel engined Mercedes.
@ mKiaratravel Must have been looking at an old page. Well that matches the hotels prices for a luxury pickup.
@ shwaygwailo The hotel would arrange a luxury ';limo'; (described as a BMW 5) for us.
After over 24 hours of travelling, I just want someone waiting for us at the airport to take us to our hotel no hassles. It%26#39;s not so much the type of car as the overall comfort and ease.
There will be a metered taxi waiting for you. It will cost about 500 baht and will use the same roads as a limousine.
Hi agentangel
You did not mention how many persons traveling with you and it certainly makes a difference for any kind of accurate recomendation for the type of vehicle used.
Regards From Phuket
Richard %26amp; megumi
It%26#39;s two of us with 2 carry-on suitcases.
Metered taxi%26#39;s is the way to go then if there are only two of you plus luggage.
Enjoy your holiday. CJ
Go the mercedes! It%26#39;s just so much nicer. I did the taxi and the merc and the merc is by far the best way to go especially after travelling that long. Sure it uses the same roads as so obviously stated earlier but damn, lifes to be enjoyed and for a few extra bucks why not enjoy it.
I will not go with the Luxury Airport Transport because they drive like maniacs! I live near the main road to the airport and for some reason they drive so much faster and crazier than anyone else. Is it because they think the people they are carrying are that much more important?
I am sure there are some good drivers, but
please do not just sit there if your driver is going 140kms/hr zooming around motorbikes and endangering other people*s lives. Say something and tell them to slow down! At least for your own safety…
I really think that they think driving at crazy speeds is what foreigners expect out of a luxury service.
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Removed on: 6:23 am, yesterdayWe are having three days in bangkok, before heading to Phuket where we have booked three nights at the Holiday Inn.
That leaves us with a further 7 nights free ..... any thoughts or suggestions would be welcome ....
Thanks guys ...
as for accomodation , we are able to afford decent hotels and dont neccessarily have to watch the pennys !
Hi Biff,
We experienced first time last July/August the most incredible holiday at Khao Lak....About 2 hours drive north of Patong.....
We stayed at the Palm Galleria in Cape Pakarang and then at Nang Thong Bay resort in Bang La On.....Fabulous...!!!....NTBR is on the beach and costs 1500 baht for beach bungalow in low season and 3000 baht in high season....
Altho%26#39; Khao Lak is quiet,you will not find any timeshare touts,bargirls,tuk tuk%26#39;s,pesky tailors,restaurants beckoning you to eat at their place,you buy you buy...!!??....None of that stuff...!!
However,Khao Lak is not so quiet that you will be bored...On the contrary,this place has all the bars and restaurants and shops you will ever need.....tho%26#39; shopping is not the highest priority....
As Molly says do yourself a favour and check out Khao Lak online....
We have discovered how nice this place is and are returning to Khao Lak next year....!!....
Have you looked at Chiang Mai in the north for a contrast... Love it .. very relaxed and laid back and heaps to see and do that is different to Bangkok and Phuket,
I havent been to Khao Lak yet but it is on my list to do next trip as well as Koh Sok National Park.. :)
Happy Travels
Chelle
All good recommendations - Chiang Mai, Khao Lak are lovely.
If you want to stay in Phuket you could always move to a different part of the island, it would cut down on your traveling time, especially if you do not want to fly anywhere again (for instance Chang Mai can be 2 separate flights). Many people like to stay in Patong for a couple of days, then move to the quieter areas of Kata, Karon, or even quieter places like Nai Yang (up near the airport area).
Would recommend organising some day tours though, visit some nearby islands, there is plenty to do in Phuket to keep you busy. Koh Lanta is lovely, and you also have Phi Phi, Phang Nga Bay, Similan Islands, or do a day tour of the cultural/historical sites.
Enjoy your trip!
Elise
Why is the Kata Beach Resort and Spa review listed under Karon hotels? Am I missing something?
Choosing between Katathani and Kata Beach Resort. Any recommendations for a family?
Kata Beach resort is in Kata, Karon Beach resort (both owned by Kata Group) is in the southern end of Karon, very close to Kata.
But: Kata is part of Tambon (municipality) Karon, so the official address of all places in Kata is in Karon.
The main difference between the 2 is that you have a MUCH wider choice of resturants and shops at the Kata Beach. You really need to get tuk tuk over the hill from the Katathani to Kata to have more resturants etc to choose from. There are a few in front of the Katathani but not a wide choice. I have stayed Katathani and the next time we went to Phuket stayed at the Kata Palms mainly for this reason. Hope this helps Beryl
We stayed at the Katathani as a family of 6 and loved it. It has more grounds than the Kata Beach Resort, though this resort looked nice also.
There are a few restaurants out the front (back if you call the road side the back) but we found having a walk over the hill and back again for dinner was a nice walk.
Our recommendation for retaurants would be The Boathouse. This was fabulous, upmarket, but casual at the same time. Also the first turn left down towards the beach after the hill is a great casual and cheap restaurant with lots of choices. I cant remember the name, but you cant miss it.
Thanks for all the info. This helps tremendously. For a family with young children, the walk over the hill may not be the best idea. How easy is it for a taxi (not the open air tuktuks) and how much would this cost to get from the beach to katathani?
Also, is this the Kata Beach Resort that is on Kata Beach? tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g1215780-d10882…
Yes right on the beach. Has a good kids pool, is very kid friendly. Service is excellent and food not bad for a hotel. Try to get a seaview room otherwise you will have a view of the car park, but all rooms are nice. The one drawback is that they have no food or beverage service after 11pm.
Er... to get from the beach to Katathani would cost zero Baht, because Katathani is on the beach ! I guess you mean how much to get to Kata Beach from Katathani.
We always walked, but I%26#39;ve read somewhere it%26#39;s 150 baht. Really, for the distance, it should be no more than 100 baht.
I don%26#39;t know how many private taxi%26#39;s you%26#39;ll find at Katathani. The hotel probably has one, but it will be dearer. There wont be any meter taxi%26#39;s, you will usually only find them at the airport. For such a short journey, just take a tuk tuk.
Kata Beach resort is a great place to stay in low season, but you must stay in a deluxe room. I prefer the 2 storey section as it%26#39;s close to the pool and you get a lovely angled view down the length of Kata Beach. The pool is not huge, but good enough for low season. In peak season, it will be way too small for the number of people.
For a family - definitely deluxe room at KBR in low season. If you don%26#39;t mind daily travel into Kata Beach, most probably by tuk tuk, Katathani in high season.
Looking for a new location to stay in Thailand for next holidays - Oct 2009. Stayed at the Evason Hua Hin this year, the Indigo Pearl Nai Yang last year and various others in Phuket before. Family group always go and we like 4 -5 star (at the right price) with local restaurants close by to keep costs down. Saw a pretty good deal for the Radisson Plaza Resort and wondered has anyone stayed there and what the Panwa Beach area is like? Also considering Pattaya. Any advice greatly appreciated.
Hihi...is Feb and Mar considered a low season in Phuket and wat%26#39;s the weather like there during these 2 mths?Thanks :)
Nope still high season, though it%26#39;s past ';peak'; season. Peak season is another layer they invented so they could charge you more than ';High'; season. Peak is sort of last week of December to 3rd week in January. Low season is sort of mid-April/May to end of October. We go mostly May/June/July and chance the rain. The rooms are half price, who cares if you get wet ? We still come home with a tan. Weather in Feb/March will be niiiice.
Feb/March is a great time to come to Phuket. Although it is still high season then it is past the peak high season when it is much busier and prices are higher etc.
Can anyone tell me if it is a good idea to have my glasses subcription filled when in Phuket. Are they much cheaper than home (Australia). Do you just take your script with you and where is a good place to go. Will also be in Bangkok and Chaing Mai would either of these places be better. Also how long do they take to fill the script....thankx
Hi, there are lots of optical places in Patong...plenty to choose from. I took my script and they also check my existing glasses to make sure they were correct. I got great Elle glasses with transitional lenses for around $120 which is certainly cheaper than Aust. Lenses themselves are over $120. Dont forget to bargain because they first or seond price certainly isn%26#39;t the lowest. They glasses were ready in 1 hr...wow it takes about 4 to 5 days to get them at home.
Happy shopping \
Cheers
Hi favnet
If you have good health insurance it is probably just as cheap in Aus and you have the peace of mind of warranties etc. If you don%26#39;t have insurance, though, it is much cheaper in Asia.
Deb
I have bought all my glasses in Asia for years and I have never had any problems. However, I dont really like the way some of them use a machine to test your eyes, I do not know anything about eye testing but it does not seem quite right to me and I am not convinced of the qualifications of the women testing.
So, I get my eyes tested in Australia and use the prescription to buy them here. I always get my contact lenses here as well, they are a fraction of the cost compared to Australia %26amp; England. You will find prices differ alot from place to place so bargain for contacts and glasses. They are always very quick.
Elise
im coming to pattaya in november.going for alcazar show,gems gallery,kohlarn island.wat else to look forward .any gud place must watch pls advice.
More activity options here;
tripadvisor.com/Travel-g293919-s409/Pattaya:…
There are many other things to do in pattaya, such as noon chang tropical garde, million year stone park, swimming with the dolphins. Also I would insted go to the Tiffany show not alcazar.
thanx for ur advice.actually alcazar is included in pakage.we wud be staying in dusit thani.can u pls suggest easiest way to reach noong nooch and million stone park.
I am staying at the Landmark Hotel and hope to buy a Leather Jacket for my wifes Birthday can you tell me where to get one made and roughly how much it will cost.
I have lived here in BKK for 3 years and i still havent seen a shop selling leather jackets! Maybe something to do with the weather here i suppose.
sorry no help from me!
Get the BTS (Skytrain) to ASOK and take the #2 exit downstairs to the ground level. There are two leather goods shops and both sell a range of leather goods including leather jackets. Prices are not cheap though. I priced one today for myself at 30,000 baht--beautifully made though...
Get the BTS (Skytrain) to ASOK and take the #2 exit downstairs to the ground level. There are two leather goods shops and both sell a range of leather goods including leather jackets. Prices are not cheap though. I priced one today for myself at 30,000 baht--beautifully made though...
Sorry to bring this topic up... However, I%26#39;ve been reading mixed posts on the weather recently in Bangkok.
I fully understand that I%26#39;ve booked my trip during the %26#39;rainy season%26#39; (we leave this Sunday to arrive in BKK on Monday night). However, I%26#39;m wondering what this means.
The straight up weather reports say ';raining/thunderstorms'; and 30*C for the next week. Here in Canada, that would mean pouring rain, all day/all night.
Please tell me what the days have actually been looking like. I%26#39;ve read that there are brief rainshowers, followed by sun. Also I%26#39;ve read that there is non-stop rain.
Feedback is appreciated. Thank you :-)
It is like you said. There are some days it constantly is raining these days. But some days it is also sunny during the day, and the day will end in rain like an several hours pourdown with locally heavy thunder. Some days you will be able to visit the beach for sure, but not all the time and it will end in rain. When you arrive in Thailand I would advise you to buy an umbrella.
Hi;
Umbrella is the must in Bangkok this rainning season. The weather is very unpredictable with
a tropical rain at any time during the day and night.
I had some experience with Bangkok rain in November
and find out it was pleasure with cool air and less
polution for a Change
As a Bangkokian, I will tell you what its been like recently. Last two days, more or less dry. Three or four days before that, storms with heavy rain, some days lighter rain for many hours. Expect heavy rain often in October, and today flood preparations were announced for a few areas of the city. You will get some dry weather but skies are likely to be overcast.
Bangkok prepares for high water levels, flooding
Four million sandbags have been prepared
Full story:
thaivisa.com/forum/Bangkok-Prepares-High-Wat…
Could someone please provide an update on the current weather in BKK?We arrive in BKK on Thurs and were hoping for pleasant weather to get out and about and see the sites (despite booking for the tail end of the rainy season), however if the forecasts I%26#39;ve seen are to be believed, it%26#39;s not looking so good for us... lots of rain :-(
Also, any updates on the flood situation?
Thanks!
Its raining right now where I am; thunder too. The tail end of the monsoon in Bangkok is often the worst part. As noted above, the forecast is storms and possible flash floods. Last week many parts of the city were underwater, but some areas are less affected.
Go to weather underground
http://www.wunderground.com/
search for Bangkok, Thailand then %26#39;add to favourites%26#39; and put a link in your bookmarks and you can check any time.
Hi everyone, quick question
Where are the weekend night markets in Phuket town?
i was there in April/June and could not find it, I may of found the location in April but there was a yellow shirt concert on there that night if its the place i think it was. Brett
From Central Shopping Centre, head south on Bypass Rd. At first set of lights, (about 1km) turn left, markets 200 m down on the right.
Exactly what Brio says....However parking near the markets is an absolute nightmare...!!!....
We have always commissioned a taxi/tuk tuk to take us there,wait while we shopped and return us to our hotel....Tho%26#39; this was in 2007...Taxi prices have changed(risen) since then....
If you get there say 4.30pm it is easy to get parking-anytime after 5.30pm the place really gets busy. Enjoy. CJ
Brio2, Please correct me if i%26#39;m wrong here- Is the Canadian Consulate on the corner where you turn at the lights to the Phuket Town night markets ? CJ
Thanks for the info on where it is, only been that side on the island a few times, I%26#39;ll try and get there nice and early for good parking as well. Thanks Brett
Can anyone recommend somewhere for News Year Eve. We are staying at Karon Cafe, 3 couples young 50s. Do you need to book anthing or is it just a case of walk around and see what is going on.
karon is greta during Xmas week, carnival atmosphere, fireworks etc. Make yourself at home in Kennys Aussie Bar, One Man Soi, Karon.....he will show you the ropes.
Also go down to Karon beach and watch the fireworks at midnight. A nice spot to spend the evening is The Ruam Thep Inn located on the southern end of Karon beach. Their restaurant is located directly on the beach and you can watch the fireworks from there.
Have fun!
Chantal
thanks will do. we are staying Karon Cafe, which I believe is quite near the beach.
sound great, cannot wait only 9 weeks till we leave, dull and rainy manchester.
Hihi..can anyone recommend cheap yet good beach resort accomodation for 2 couples (preferbly less than S$50 per night)...we%26#39;ll be travelling to phuket on the 02 Feb 2010 till 03 Mar 2010.Thanks :)
Hi,
First time poster here. I am spending 2 days in Bangkok at the end of November before going on to Koh Samui.
Can anyone advise what are the %26#39;must do%26#39; activites/ sights for during the day in Bangkok and where to head for a good night out?
Staying at Century Park hotel, Rajthewi.
Thanks.
Take a look at the list on the left hand side of the page - lots of links to help you have a great time.
And a great night out depends on what you think that should be (we%26#39;re all different). Do you want a disco, a walk in the night market, a music bar, or what?
And the Bangkok itineries on the right hand side...
Ok, thanks i%26#39;ll have a look at those. Theres just so much info! For a night out I was thinking some nice bars, nightclub and maybe a show for the second night.
There are lots of night clubs, discos, bars in RCA (Royal City Avenue) and Sukhumvit Soi 11.
Or 9 more sleeps or whateverrrrrrr ....on our way back to Phuket.....whoo hoo....BTW is anyone going to be at the Sat nite BBQ on 31st ......
Hi, Finding several options for luxury airport transfer service. Does anyone have recommendations or experience with Asiaweb, which is listed as 1000 baht each way. Going to Karon.
Thanks!
Hi, my experience of a “Limo” in Phuket is a Toyota Camry for about 800 Baht that doesn’t take you to the jewellers, tailors or some shop if they can’t pick you as first timers.
Where are you getting a Mercedes from, Mom Tris?
Enjoy
shway
Hi, are you sure it is THB1,000 to Karon in a Mercedes Benz with AsiaWeb. Is Asia Web as in Asia Web Direct.
It is showing THB1,550.00
It is just a normal E class Mercedes,not the S class-nothing really to give the ';wow'; factor,unless,you want to experience a ride in a diesel engined Mercedes.
@ mKiaratravel Must have been looking at an old page. Well that matches the hotels prices for a luxury pickup.
@ shwaygwailo The hotel would arrange a luxury ';limo'; (described as a BMW 5) for us.
After over 24 hours of travelling, I just want someone waiting for us at the airport to take us to our hotel no hassles. It%26#39;s not so much the type of car as the overall comfort and ease.
There will be a metered taxi waiting for you. It will cost about 500 baht and will use the same roads as a limousine.
Hi agentangel
You did not mention how many persons traveling with you and it certainly makes a difference for any kind of accurate recomendation for the type of vehicle used.
Regards From Phuket
Richard %26amp; megumi
It%26#39;s two of us with 2 carry-on suitcases.
Metered taxi%26#39;s is the way to go then if there are only two of you plus luggage.
Enjoy your holiday. CJ
Go the mercedes! It%26#39;s just so much nicer. I did the taxi and the merc and the merc is by far the best way to go especially after travelling that long. Sure it uses the same roads as so obviously stated earlier but damn, lifes to be enjoyed and for a few extra bucks why not enjoy it.
I will not go with the Luxury Airport Transport because they drive like maniacs! I live near the main road to the airport and for some reason they drive so much faster and crazier than anyone else. Is it because they think the people they are carrying are that much more important?
I am sure there are some good drivers, but
please do not just sit there if your driver is going 140kms/hr zooming around motorbikes and endangering other people*s lives. Say something and tell them to slow down! At least for your own safety…
I really think that they think driving at crazy speeds is what foreigners expect out of a luxury service.
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Removed on: 6:23 am, yesterdayHi,
I was just wondering how much does a tour guide charge for, let%26#39;s say, a full day trip in Chiang Mai? And normally what does it include? Transportation, lunch, etc?
Would you recommend booking these trips online or we are better off finding one once we are there?
Thanks for your help in advance.
- ww
Hi there one fine Sunday....and welcome to the CMTA Forum! Your question is a difficult one to answer and have that answer engraved in granite. It would depend on how many are in your travel group, the mode of transportation you want to use, where you want to go (some tour guides include entrance fees to various venues in their daily fee. The ones that aren%26#39;t licensed TAT Tour Guides usually don%26#39;t include entrance fees for anything...but they won%26#39;t go into the chedi, wat, park etc with you...These helpfull souls will simply drop you outside and wait to transport you to the next venue, therefore they usually charge the lower daily fee) In addition, some tours include lunch...and where the lunch is also effects the price of the tour. Of course, the time of year that you are traveling here also changes the price of the tour. Tourists who arrive here during ';rain season'; (Low Season...or as TAT calls it ';Green Season';) in general will pay less than the visitor who arrives during Christmas week or during our High Season. In other words, it just depends on size of group, where you go and how you want to get there, and if you want a full day or 1/2 day tour.
I checked with Paul Collins and he said that ball park figures for a tuk tuk tour would run from 800/THB pp to 1,200/THB pp for 1/2 day and 1,200/THB to 2,000/THB pp for full day. Van tours would be slightly higher for both. Hope this helps some and if you have any further questions just send them on. Marie (nannyre)
Hi Marie,
Thanks for your inputs. Yes, I understand that the fares vary depending on the list of things you mentioned earlier. I was just thinking to get a rough estimate so that I know that I am not paying more than what other visitors are.
Having said that, I will be traveling to CM at the end of Oct. Do you think 2000THB per day is reasonable for a private guide in an a/c car for two pax?
Hi,
Check what the 2000B includes - does it include all admissions?
Our guide (based in Chiang Rai) charges 700B per day for his services as a guide. On top of this you pay for the car and fuel and then meals, other misc costs. He usually breaks down the quote so you can see what each segment is costing.
Hire for an air con cab for a full day in Chiang Mai and surrounds is about 1500B. This is not with a guide, just a cab driver - who may or may not have knowledge to share.
On the top right of the forum page under %26#39;Frequently Asked Questions%26#39; is a link to contact phone numbers/emails for guides in Chiang Mai.
Caroline.
ps. I think the 2000B sounds reasonable.
Hi Caroline,
Thanks for your helpful insights.
Hi we paid 1200baht, air con cab, long day, great driver, good english, interesting, not including entrance costs
Hi,
Thanks for sharing.
Hi, we are not long back from a fantastic holiday. Firstly thank you so much to everyone who helped me (Caroline and others). I am not sure I have anything to add to the vast amount of fantastic information already here and hope I dont bore you but here goes...
Accommodation
Chiang Mai Thai house - After much agonizing we booked the first stint at CMTH. We were keen on the Baan Orapin but in the end decided on cheaper. The reports were mixed so we were a bit apprehensive. When we arrived we were advised that as it was their 5 year anniversary so we would not be paying the price agreed to on emails - we were getting a discount! 300 baht / night cheaper!! The room was great, we had a ‘garden room’, comfortable bed, clean everything, cute pool, lovely people, NO pressure to book tours (in fact when a driver arrived they searched the place looking for his customers then realized he was at the wrong hotel and proceeded to provide directions to the correct place). Super location just outside old city. Fantastic esp for the price.
Centara Duangtawan Hotel – booked because of uncertainty re above, big hotel near night market.
Why is the Kata Beach Resort and Spa review listed under Karon hotels? Am I missing something?
Choosing between Katathani and Kata Beach Resort. Any recommendations for a family?
Kata Beach resort is in Kata, Karon Beach resort (both owned by Kata Group) is in the southern end of Karon, very close to Kata.
But: Kata is part of Tambon (municipality) Karon, so the official address of all places in Kata is in Karon.
The main difference between the 2 is that you have a MUCH wider choice of resturants and shops at the Kata Beach. You really need to get tuk tuk over the hill from the Katathani to Kata to have more resturants etc to choose from. There are a few in front of the Katathani but not a wide choice. I have stayed Katathani and the next time we went to Phuket stayed at the Kata Palms mainly for this reason. Hope this helps Beryl
We stayed at the Katathani as a family of 6 and loved it. It has more grounds than the Kata Beach Resort, though this resort looked nice also.
There are a few restaurants out the front (back if you call the road side the back) but we found having a walk over the hill and back again for dinner was a nice walk.
Our recommendation for retaurants would be The Boathouse. This was fabulous, upmarket, but casual at the same time. Also the first turn left down towards the beach after the hill is a great casual and cheap restaurant with lots of choices. I cant remember the name, but you cant miss it.
Thanks for all the info. This helps tremendously. For a family with young children, the walk over the hill may not be the best idea. How easy is it for a taxi (not the open air tuktuks) and how much would this cost to get from the beach to katathani?
Also, is this the Kata Beach Resort that is on Kata Beach? tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g1215780-d10882…
Yes right on the beach. Has a good kids pool, is very kid friendly. Service is excellent and food not bad for a hotel. Try to get a seaview room otherwise you will have a view of the car park, but all rooms are nice. The one drawback is that they have no food or beverage service after 11pm.
Er... to get from the beach to Katathani would cost zero Baht, because Katathani is on the beach ! I guess you mean how much to get to Kata Beach from Katathani.
We always walked, but I%26#39;ve read somewhere it%26#39;s 150 baht. Really, for the distance, it should be no more than 100 baht.
I don%26#39;t know how many private taxi%26#39;s you%26#39;ll find at Katathani. The hotel probably has one, but it will be dearer. There wont be any meter taxi%26#39;s, you will usually only find them at the airport. For such a short journey, just take a tuk tuk.
Kata Beach resort is a great place to stay in low season, but you must stay in a deluxe room. I prefer the 2 storey section as it%26#39;s close to the pool and you get a lovely angled view down the length of Kata Beach. The pool is not huge, but good enough for low season. In peak season, it will be way too small for the number of people.
For a family - definitely deluxe room at KBR in low season. If you don%26#39;t mind daily travel into Kata Beach, most probably by tuk tuk, Katathani in high season.
