We will be in Bangkok next mont and want to take a weekend outside the city.

It has to be close - no more than 2 hr drive.

It has to be relaxing and nice.

Any recommendation ? (for accommodation as well).

Just not Kanchanaburi (been there)

Thanks EJ

We will be in Bangkok next mont and want to take a weekend outside the city.

It has to be close - no more than 2 hr drive.

It has to be relaxing and nice.

Any recommendation ? (for accommodation as well).

Just not Kanchanaburi (been there)

Thanks EJ

Ko Samed is pretty good.....

A search of the forum will turn up many threads about it.

How far is it by car ?

We are looking for something near such as 2 hr drive

We will be in Bangkok next mont and want to take a weekend outside the city.

It has to be close - no more than 2 hr drive.

It has to be relaxing and nice.

Any recommendation ? (for accommodation as well).

Just not Kanchanaburi (been there)

Thanks EJ

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Go to Pattaya, even taking the bus from the Ekamai bus station (110 baht) the trip is only around 2 or 3 hours. Hotels are cheap, restaurants are cheap, transportation by "baht truck" is cheap too!

Lots of souvenir vendors, several big modern malls, cheap movie theaters, and weekend and day markets. Someone always complains - too many bars, etc. Well, lots of bars in Bangkok, Phuket and Chiangmai, London and New York too!

Pattaya is a good place to relax a while or party a lot - your choice!

How much you want to spend on accomodation determines which hotels are recommended. Lots of hotels with A/C, HW, TV, private bath, etc. in the price range of 400 baht to 4000 baht. Up to you!

If you want something a little quieter, I really enjoy both Ayuttayah and Hua Hin - I think both are within a couple hours' drive from Bangkok. Hua Hin doesn't have the most beautiful beaches, but it's a very relaxing and lazy seaside resort town with some great food. One of my favorite restaurants in the world to spend an evening at is there, the Seaside Restaurant. It's not particularly fancy, but it's nice and quiet and has a Thai guitar player who gently mangles American folk music (Paul Simon, Jim Croce, etc) in the evenings as you sit out over the surf washing in and out. There are also day trips to the mountain temples, the waterfall and other things. As for accomodation, there's everything from the historic Thai Railway Hotel - now the Sofitel Hua Hin (it was the old hotel when people visited the royals here and many scenes from The Killing Fields were shot here as well) ($100ish a night) down to smaller guest houses like Memory Guest House ($5ish a night) or Goanna's Guest House ($20ish a night).

Ayuttayah, the city, isn't particularly special, but the historic parts of town are amazing - the ruins and temples of the old capital constitute a UNESCO world heritage site. You can grab a beer and dinner on the riverside in the evenings for something relaxing. When I went, I stayed in a newer, well appointed and well run little guest house called (hilariously) the P.U. Guest House for around $5 a night, but there are also larger hotel options. Tours of the ruins can be arranged for very little money.

I liked the suggestions above mine a lot, they're no doubt more informed than mine as I haven't spent too much time here yet, but I thought I'd throw some other suggestions into the mix.

If you want something a little quieter, I really enjoy both Ayuttayah and Hua Hin

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yeah - I was going to suggst same....

what else - perhaps Nakhon Pathom, Samut Prakan, Chonburi ?

Kanchanaburi with the bridge over the River Kwai is also just within the two hour timeframe .

Plenti of rooms , nice scenery n for a weekend a good alternative .

Samut Prakarn , Nakhom Pathom or Chonburi are not recommend for Tourists as not much to see .

Hua Hin is nearly three hours , if you fancy beach better go to Pattaya or visit the Unesco Site of Ayathaya .

You can PM me for more advise if needed .

Have a nice day.

If you want mountains and fresh air, then go to Khao Yai Naional park. It's only about a 2 hour drive from BKK. It's a good way to spend a day outside of the city.

We will be in Bangkok next mont and want to take a weekend outside the city.

It has to be close - no more than 2 hr drive.

It has to be relaxing and nice.

Any recommendation ? (for accommodation as well).

Just not Kanchanaburi (been there)

Thanks EJ

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just do some day trips - pattaya / chonburi, crocodile farm, ancient city, safari world etc etc