Thailand Highlights & Tips
Bangkok
- Visited the Grand Palace, Wat Pho and Wat Arun. Go early as it gets crowded, cooler and will be a long day. Men need to wear long pants, Admissions were roughly 100-250/pp in Baht
- Prepare to take off shoes frequently, so, slip ons recommended
- It can be very hot, so bring a hat and plenty of water.
- There will be a lot of walking!
- The National Museum and art gallery are nearby. National museum was okay.
- Later in the day we checked out Khao San and Soi Rambuttri road and recommended it.
- We were staying in the Sathorn district. Which is more of a business area and modern. Far from temples, so, you will need to take public transportation, Grab is an expensive option.
- We checked out the Skybar where ‘Hangover 2” was filmed. However, it is expensive! 3 drinks were $179. A memorable splurge for us.
- Very cash driven culture.
- Scooters everywhere, as they are low cost and cooler.
- Markets: Both the train market and floating markets were fun to visit. Very crowded and only spent 30 minutes in each market. I would like have spent more time on the water at the floating market. There was a 2-hour return to Bangkok.
Chiang Mai
- Sunday night market is huge. Get there early as gets crowded fast.
- Bring room in luggage or another bag, as items are great and cheap.
- Old town walkable and a number of temples and markets.
- Fun Fact: Twice/day they play the national anthem and everyone stops.
- Buddhism #1 religion, but embrace all
- Silver can be bought cheaply, however, watch wear you buy as some is not real silver.
- Highly recommend visiting Chiang Rai and the Red, Blue and White Temples. Impressive! 3 hours there and back. Very business and touristy, but, our private tour. Our guide named M was great! We stopped at a hot spring foot bath waystation, which was great!
Sukothai
- Pre-history site and first capital/kingdom of Thailand. A number of empires were unified during this period by marriages. Buddha’s face is either round, oval, or square which is influenced by region and influence. A mixture of Buddha andHindu.
- Ceramic was a major source of wealth during the period.
- King and I period and that movie is banned in Thailand. As they do not like the way the king was portrayed.
- In the summer there are a lot of wildfires and can be very smokey.
- 4 hour drive each way from Chiang Mai
- Fun Fact: Eat spicy food to keep you cool down. More you sweat, cooler you are!
Doi Inthanon
- Long day and a lot of driving in a 12 person bus! Saw waterfalls and a Temple area Tour guide hard to understand. I give it a C+
Phuket
- I would not drive in Phuket or anywhere in Thailand.
- Phi Phi islands: 1 hour boat ride there and back. “The beach” stop wasextremely touristy. Snorkeling was OK. In general, very touristy thing to do andcost roughly $120 for the both of us.
- Elephant Sanctuary: Very interactive with elephants, got to feed and walk withthem. In Patong and was a good day trip.
- The James Bond island Tour cost roughly $65/pp. A cave was the first visit. Crowded, hot and give it a C. Canoe ride was really cool and recommend. a floating city for lunch is a good shopping stop and wish we spent more time there. Good for pearls. James Bond island is iconic and great photo stop. The swim beach was a nice stop and bar. It could have been shorter.