Visitors coming, places to go in Thailand

[migrant]

When we come over in November, friends are coming with us.
He was last here during the Vietnam war, she never.

It's been a while since we did a lot of tourist stuff so thought I would ask the forum;

If you have 2 weeks here, and have never been here, where would you go?

Lets leave this spread between BKK, Chiang Mai, and Hua Hin.

Thanks

[lindosfan1]

Bangkok
Kings Palace
River Cruise

Chiang Mai
Night Market
Just outside up a long hill is a wonderful temple but forgot its name.

Hui Hin
Kings Palace

Just a couple to start you off.

[Vital Spark]

I'd always include a trip to Kanchanaburi to have a look at the Bridge over the river Kwai, the beautifully kept cemeteries and the JEATH museum at the temple by the river. A trip up the river on one of the long-tailed boats is fun aswell.

If you've got a bit more time, the Hellfire Pass museum (built by Australians) is well-worth a visit. You could easily spend a day walking along Hellfire Pass, and it's a bit of European history to talk to the folks back home about.

Why not stay the night? I'd highly recommend Kasem Island Resort for a bit of peace and quiet (as long as the disco boats aren't testing out their speakers!).

VS

[migrant]

Good starts, thanks!

Not having played the tourist for a while, you forget the highlights!!

[charlesh]

Don't forget Ao Manao near Prachuap town, good old Huay Mongkol, golf courses, monkey mountain (can't stand them), Pranburi beach area (pak nam pran), sam roi yot national park.

[buksida]

Here is a good list of local Hua Hin attractions: http://www.tourismhuahin.com/attractions-huahin.php

[migrant]

Don't forget Ao Manao near Prachuap town, good old Huay Mongkol, golf courses, monkey mountain (can't stand them), Pranburi beach area (pak nam pran), sam roi yot national park.

The wife, and I, can't stand the monkeys either, but, yes, gotta go for the exotic factor

[Frank Hovis]

For Bangkok, and to avoid having to travel about to wander round various wats or temples, Muang Boran is a whole day out. http://www.ancientcity.com/en
You can see buildings and temples recreated in something like 1/5th scale (which is still pretty big) from all over Thailand.
Well worth a visit.

As usual Thai website maps are a mysterious blend of thick straight lines, odd scaling and unlikely landmarks so if you find it using the official Muang Boran website - How to Visit map then well done and you'll have seen the sights of most of Samut Prakarn as well (more than once probably)

If you want to know where to go, paste this into google maps "Muang Boran Mueang Samut Prakan Samut Prakan Thailand"

[Pleng]

A day trip to Ayutthaya is always worth it.

[Arlo]

Nana plaza, soi cowboy, bintabaht, and a soapy massage. Some good places here. Or you can try the many temples around all those cities you mentioned. Can go up the mountain behind hh and look down upon all of us. Terry's fishing lodge is a great day out. The other folks mentioned some nice places and patpong in bkk. Just a little humor along with some info.

[T.I.G.R.]

G - I second the visit to Ancient City. We went there many years ago and it has always been one of my favorite memories.

One of my favorite things to do is spend a day in BKK, and a night at the Marriott Courtyard (very nice and inexpensive). Easy walk to Central World, Sky Train, Erawan Hotel (great breakfast buffet) and many other fun places. If they like to shop at all I would always recommend the Emporium but I like to go to any of the Central Stores and browse on the household goods floor. I know, kind of weird for a guy but I love looking at all the glassware, dishes and knick knaks. Good eats in about a million places too. The reason I mention staying the night is you can walk around the area on the elevated walkway until you're feet are ready to fall off.....the lighting and decorations are fantastic. I don't know of anywhere I've been that has a better night-time ambiance.

Lastly, make sure to reserve time for a visit to MBK where they can buy presents for the folks back home.... souvenirs galore, clothes etc. all at great prices.

[magpiecccc]

The weekend market at the end of the Sky Train route in Bangkok is a pretty amazing place due to the sheer size of it, but keep an eye out for pick pockets.