OT: Thailand

[norcalbiker]

My wife and I plan on going to the Philippines for vacation.
We would like to make a 4 days stop in Thailand from San Francisco then go to Philippines. Anyone here been to Thailand that can recommend a place to stay and see for 4 days? Or where not to stay or see. I know I wish we have more time to stay.

TIA!

[veggieburger]

Yeah, spent a month in Thailand a few years back. Stop #1 should be Khao San Road in Bangkok, that's the hub of hippie/backpack culture and a great starting point for most Thai adventures. I highly recommend Rambuttri Inn. It's about 100 meters away from the chaos, but that means you'll be able to sleep. Also has a very nice rooftop pool.

If you want to talk further, PM me!

[slidey]

I went there a few years back, kinda when I was a kiddo. I went to Pattaya...typical touristy spot, but beautiful beaches! You could also try Phuket, and there's this place where I'd definitely go to next time I make my way there: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ko_Phi_Phi_Lee

My wife and I plan on going to the Philippines for vacation.
We would like to make a 4 days stop in Thailand from San Francisco then go to Philippines. Anyone here been to Thailand that can recommend a place to stay and see for 4 days? Or where not to stay or see. I know I wish we have more time to stay.

TIA!

[veggieburger]

Koh Phi Phi is incredible (it's where The Beach was filmed!), but if you only have 4 days, you'll spend a lot of time in transit. Still, if you are beach people, might be worth the trip...

[Likes2ridefar]

My wife and I plan on going to the Philippines for vacation.
We would like to make a 4 days stop in Thailand from San Francisco then go to Philippines. Anyone here been to Thailand that can recommend a place to stay and see for 4 days? Or where not to stay or see. I know I wish we have more time to stay.

TIA!

been there a few times recently. I stayed in Chiang Mai for a week last spring. Loved it there but I'm not sure it's much of a tourist destination. I was in between races and was basically just riding every day and then wondering around a bit at night.

before that I was in bangkok for a few days and the surrounding area. bangkok is awesome and worth a few days. Not sure about 4. It's really cheap and easy to travel so perhaps go for some beach action for a few days as well.

make sure you get massages. $4 1 hour foot/leg massages are the perfect thing after riding or walking around all day.

[tuxbailey]

Try some durian and coconut soft candy. They are really good.

[vqdriver]

aah yes.. blurry tuk tuk rides. good times.

[norcalbiker]

I think we are flying to Bangkok and stay there.

Thanks for all the input.

[wc1934]

I think we are flying to Bangkok and stay there.

Thanks for all the input.

We also spent a week in Phuket, which i now see is not an option for you (next time). In Bangkok, of course you will see the reclining Buddha - Grand Palace, maybe visit the weekend market and floating markets, take a day trip to visit the tiger temple, shop Khao San road, have a drink at one of the roof top bars, get a massage, see a kick boxing event etc., etc., etc.

The flight is long (we flew non-stop from NYC - about 18 hours)- be sure to get up and walk around - stand in the back of the plane etc.

Lucky you, you'll have a ball!

[victoryfactory]

Try to avoid ground travel the traffic is insane
The sky train is great. take it to Mo Chit for the Chatuchak market
Saturday/Sunday only
take a commuter ferry up the chao phraya river to the grand palace
(don't let the "guides" tell you the palace is closed but they can take
you on a tour until it opens later, they will take you to a shop to buy
junk from their friends) the grand Palace is open. You don't need a guide.
Wat Pho has a stunning reclining Buddha
Temple of the emerald Buddha
cross the river on the ferry to Wat arun sublime.
stroll the night markets
bring your eyeglass prescription to one of the opticians in Sukhumvit
top quality for half the price.
stay near a sky train station if possible
Do a day trip by bus up to Ayuthaya one of the ancient capitols
(about 80k)
the markets are awesome
skip the touristy floating market (just my opinion) unless you are there
at dawn when the real vendors are there

Bangkok is great, exotic, hot as hell. it will wear you out
and kick you butt you will have a blast.

VF

[slidey]

Exactly!! Ever since I watched "The Beach", I've made a mental engraving to visit Koh Phi Phi Le...coming soon, hopefully :banana:

Koh Phi Phi is incredible (it's where The Beach was filmed!),

[Andrewlcox]

Koh Phi Phi is incredible (it's where The Beach was filmed!), but if you only have 4 days, you'll spend a lot of time in transit. Still, if you are beach people, might be worth the trip...

I agree! We stayed in Krabi and took the ferry to Ko Phi Phi.

Enjoy!

[victoryfactory]

Yes. Ko Phi Phi is great. But given your time restraints, arriving with
jet lag on your way to somewhere else, you might need to let it go this trip.

You'll need to fly down to Krabi and ferry to Ko Phi Phi Don
You can stay in Krabi or out on Ko Phi Phi Don which is magical. You will
probably need to make reservations in advance.
(I haven't been there since the tsunami but everyone says it's rebuilt. The
grumpers say badly, the first time visitors don't notice)

Back and forth to Ko Phi Phi will eat up half of your time in Thailand, yo.
And you will get plenty of beach in the Philippines (I presume)

Bangkok is plenty for a 4 day jet lagged stopover, Just my opinion

VF

[Andrewlcox]

Yes. Ko Phi Phi is great. But given your time restraints, arriving with
jet lag on your way to somewhere else, you might need to let it go this trip.

You'll need to fly down to Krabi and ferry to Ko Phi Phi Don
You can stay in Krabi or out on Ko Phi Phi Don which is magical. You will
probably need to make reservations in advance.
(I haven't been there since the tsunami but everyone says it's rebuilt. The
grumpers say badly, the first time visitors don't notice)

Back and forth to Ko Phi Phi will eat up half of your time in Thailand, yo.
And you will get plenty of beach in the Philippines (I presume)

Bangkok is plenty for a 4 day jet lagged stopover, Just my opinion

VF

Well said and I agree completely. Phi Phi Don was rebuilt and it reminds me of a shanty town. Oh well, it's still a great place!

[victoryfactory]

Well said and I agree completely. Phi Phi Don was rebuilt and it reminds me of a shanty town. Oh well, it's still a great place!

Andrew;

That's encouraging actually. Ko Phi Phi was always a shanty town.
I was afraid they would put up actual buildings as part of the reconstruction!

VF

[Stan Lee]

I lived in Bangkok from 2005-09 and VF pretty much has it covered. Stay close the the BTS and just get off at different stops, you'll have a blast. If you are only there for 4 days definitely stay in BKK but I would avoid Khao San unless you are into tourists. Feel free to PM me if you have questions on where to stay or specific areas to visit...I may be able to find the # to a driver if you want someone to take you around.

I would highly recommend going to this place for dinner, we always took visitors there and they were always blown away. Beautiful place, great food!

http://www.facebars.com/en/bangkok/restaurant/