My Visit to Thailand

Personally I enjoyed Bangkok itself. It may have bad air pollution but it makes up for that by being vibrant and colorful.

Quick Tips:

Best Way To Get Around:

The Skytrain is fast, clean, efficient, and cheap. A tourist pass for one day is Bht100 around A.00. I didn't use tuk tuks in BKK but I did in Hua Hin as I was staying 4ks out of town.

Many of the buildings have been restored but not to pristine condition which would detract from the feel of the place. The architecture has a Khmer look about it, very intricate carvings. It was built of bricks which are still produced on the island.

Some of the atmosphere comes from the fact that the island is subsiding giving the place a leaning tower effect.

I went with a day tour, but If I were to visit again I would travel by train from BKK, go to the Hotel then take a tuk tuk to the Historical Park. The day tour does cover a lot including a meal and a canal trip but it does not give enough time to soak up the atmosphere. I stayed overnight but as I was going by train to Hua Hin the next day, I did not see anything extra. I would do two nights next time, and a night tour is worth the money.

If you visit independently stay for a couple of days and hire a taxi to visit local sights as the scenery is quite spectacular.

Take the Skytrain to the river pier and a ferry up the river, lots to see on the way, and the Grand Palace is easy to find, simply follow the crowds and if anyone tells you it is closed for whatever reason, don't believe them. (That goes for anywhere you are going).

Be prepared to be stunned.

I stayed at Tao Takiap which is about 4klms from town, at Kaban Tamor resort which is very different and had round rooms based on a seashell design. The resturant and pool are the only facilities but the service is good, and the little township is friendly, but not pushy.

There is a great Kwan Yin Temple in the area. It is brand new and very Chinese. Open Air with good views.