Any Day Trip Recommendations ?

[Krist]

I will be in BKK June 1 - 4 and am looking for recommendations for a day trip or possible overnighter that weekend. I've been to BKK a few times (and love it) but was hoping to see a little more of Thailand this time. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[AsiaWolfie]

depends what you are interested in.... are u a beach bun ? then a day- or, more recommended: overnight-trip can be done to HuaHin / Cha Am, or if u prefer east Coast, Si Racha / Bangsaen....

if u r more from the "cultural corner", you can head for Kanchanaburi (nice and relaxed area, though not too much to see really), or do the "ancient ruins"-tour combining Ayutthaya and Lopburi, for example...... in the many existing guide-books (not only in the mediocre Lonely-Planet) u can find a lot of hints for daytrips from Bangkok too.... actually not a difficult task.....

[jackr]

Yeah, Hua Hin for the beach (south, easy to get to from the capital) or Ayuthaya for a slice of culture (north, even easier to get to).

[Artisan]

Chachoengsao......... for Wat Soton

Kao Yai................... for mountains and wild life

Bang Pa-In...............for Rama V Summer Palace

Baan Boraan............for the Ancient City

Lopburi....................for History (and monkeys of course!)

Damnoen Saduak.....for the Floating Market (but very contrived and commercialised)

Nakhon Pathom........for the largest Buddhist chedi in the world

Kanchanaburi...........unlike AsiaWolfie, I think there is a great deal to see and do (Death Railway, Hellfire Pass, a train ride, waterfalls, War Cemetry, War Museum, the Bridge, underground temples, the jungle, river life, Sai Yok National Park, Erewan Falls, sugar refining...and golf)

There is much more also....everywhere in Thailand is a treasure chest of places to see and things to do. You won't have a problem in filling your time.

[Kan Win]

I will be in BKK June 1 - 4 and am looking for recommendations for a day trip or possible overnighter that weekend. I've been to BKK a few times (and love it) but was hoping to see a little more of Thailand this time. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Hi “Krist”

Welcome to ThaiVisaDotCom.

Kanchanaburi would be a good place should you like the River / Mountain and Country views.

Very good on the pocket also, compared to other places around Bangkok.

As for “AsiaWolfie” saying “you can head for Kanchanaburi (nice and relaxed area, though not too much to see really )” one begs to differ as “Artisan” quite correctly mentioned :-

Free and easy to get too, either by train (you have to pay for the train fare BTW) or by car, Waterfall is free and great fun.

and many more places in this, "The Best Province " near Bangkok to stay for a few days or even longer.

Yours truly,

Kan Win

[bkkmadness]

Here's another vote for Kanchanaburi, great place, plenty to do. One of my favouite parts of the country in fact.

[Krist]

Re: Day Trip Recommendations

Thanks to all for the recommendations...this is just what I was looking for.

Any suggestions for how to get there? Can one hire a taxi or guide/translator for a day or two? How would I find such a person? Any other practical advice?

[bkkmadness]

Bus is probably your best bet, what part of Bangkok will you be staying in? You could travel by public bus but it will probably only cost you a little more to arrange a ticket from a travel agent nearby your hotel and more convenient for you.

You can actually travel there by train (I assume we are talking about Kanchanaburi of course), it takes a little longer at 3 hrs, than the 2 hr bus journey but I've heard its a nice way to get there. You could hire a taxi to take you there, not sure the price, between 1000-2000 baht I would have thought.

As for a guide, dont have a clue where you would get one. If you after a bit of extra fun on your trip grab a girl from a bar and she can show you round the place.

IMHO why bother with the guide? Add a little excitement to your trip and go it alone.

Lots of tourists in this area so no probs with the language as there are many English speaking Thais in the tourist service industries in Kanch. You not totally out in the jungle yet mate but its certainly a good start if you have only been to BKK before. Enjoy!

[AsiaWolfie]

Here's another vote for Kanchanaburi, great place, plenty to do. One of my favouite parts of the country in fact.

Okay okay, I surrender to TV's Kanchanaburi army

actually I was talking about Kanchanaburi TOWN only, as its supposed to be a DAYTRIP only, and the River Kwai bridge itself is not too impressive in my humble opinion.... but sure, there are a lot of nice nature place in the surroundings.....

[bkkmadness]

Heres a pretty good site on some of the things to do in Kanchanaburi

Ok, just seen your last post, if you get up there early I'm sure you could fit one or two of the attractions in, but if I was you I'd take a least one night there as well, grab a bungalow on the riverside and kick back with a good book.

[Kan Win]

Here's another vote for Kanchanaburi, great place, plenty to do. One of my favouite parts of the country in fact.

Okay okay, I surrender to TV's Kanchanaburi army

actually I was talking about Kanchanaburi TOWN only, as its supposed to be a DAYTRIP only, and the River Kwai bridge itself is not too impressive in my humble opinion.... but sure, there are a lot of nice nature place in the surroundings.....

IMHO THIS IS WHAT IT IS.............to......ME.........May I present to you :-

The Bridge over the River Kwae.....................

The Bridge in all it’s Glory

Yours truly,

Kan Win ©

[jackr]

Here's another vote for Kanchanaburi, great place, plenty to do. One of my favouite parts of the country in fact.

Okay okay, I surrender to TV's Kanchanaburi army

actually I was talking about Kanchanaburi TOWN only, as its supposed to be a DAYTRIP only, and the River Kwai bridge itself is not too impressive in my humble opinion.... but sure, there are a lot of nice nature place in the surroundings.....

I agree, don't spend any time in the town itself... on par with Sukothai . Have a look at the bridge, the memorials and perhaps the Jeath War museum. If you could get up to hel_l Fire Pass (north) that would be a bonus. The train to Kan' goes from the Southern station which is a slight hassle to get to.

Personally I would visit Ayuthaya if I just had a day; easier and faster to get to, loads of old temple architecture and a nicer atmosphere. Don't take any video footage of the Buddha Head in the tree mind you or you'll be shot

[Backpack_thailand]

Here's another vote for Kanchanaburi, great place, plenty to do. One of my favouite parts of the country in fact.

I concur!

Ayutthaya is also a great day trip checking out some of Thailand's history and the stunning old ruins. You could do the BKK > Kan > Ayutthaya > Kan route over 2 or 3 days, you won't be sorry!

[Backpack_thailand]

Heres a pretty good site on some of the things to do in Kanchanaburi

Ok, just seen your last post, if you get up there early I'm sure you could fit one or two of the attractions in, but if I was you I'd take a least one night there as well, grab a bungalow on the riverside and kick back with a good book.

Cheers bkkmadness, that's MY WEBSITE...!!!

[nagasaki]

best day trips I have experienced been on when in bangkok where, these where borth organised via hotel and were quite cheap considering, buffet food of very reasonable standard included in both, both required early starts but well worth it

A day trip to see the bridge over the river kwai and a trip along the death railway (I'm a Brit and have no direct connection with The bridge, but i found the visit to Kanchanaburi cemetry which was included very moving)

A day trip to Ayyuthauya, the ruins of the old monastery there and a big palace (sorry casnt remeber name), followed by a really enjoyable 3 hour trip boat trip back to Bangkok via river

[MissAnge]

Kanchanburi is right up there as one of my very favourite places for a quick trip out of the city... i took my folks there when they were over, popped into a guesthouse (can't remember the name, I am sure they all do it) and told them what it was I wanted to do... he organised the whole thing for about 300 baht each... from memory we went elephant riding, bamboo rafting, the train ride, the war museums (incl the one up at Hellfire Pass) and a waterfall - oh and there was a side trip to his camp where we went on a flying fox!!

nothing fancy, but a great day out....

[Kan Win]

Heres a pretty good site on some of the things to do in Kanchanaburi

Ok, just seen your last post, if you get up there early I'm sure you could fit one or two of the attractions in, but if I was you I'd take a least one night there as well, grab a bungalow on the riverside and kick back with a good book.

Cheers bkkmadness, that's MY WEBSITE...!!!

And this is one of MY photos that you used on your Website

MY WEBSITE by Backpack_thailand

Kan Win © Webpages

This event brings in thousands of visitors and is quite spectacular! River boats and floating restaurants cruise up and down the famous old waterway offering excellent views of the show and some superb photo opportunities!

I should know.

You need photos, just ask like a few of our members on "ThaiVisaDotCom" forum have done. They are all FREE BTW, to promote Thailand, and Accredit the person that took the photos.

That is all one is asking.

Yours truly,

Kan Win ©

Every picture tells yet another story

[bkkmadness]

Heres a pretty good site on some of the things to do in Kanchanaburi

Ok, just seen your last post, if you get up there early I'm sure you could fit one or two of the attractions in, but if I was you I'd take a least one night there as well, grab a bungalow on the riverside and kick back with a good book.

Cheers bkkmadness, that's MY WEBSITE...!!!

Yep I know. Bloody frustrating when you can't add your own link here ain't it! I had a little info on Kanch on my own one but will be accused of spamming no doubt if I put it here.

Stupid rules.

Edited May 30, 2006 by bkkmadness

[jackr]

Heres a pretty good site on some of the things to do in Kanchanaburi

Ok, just seen your last post, if you get up there early I'm sure you could fit one or two of the attractions in, but if I was you I'd take a least one night there as well, grab a bungalow on the riverside and kick back with a good book.

Cheers bkkmadness, that's MY WEBSITE...!!!

Yep I know. Bloody frustrating when you can't add your own link here ain't it! I had a little info on Kanch on my own one but will be accused of spamming no doubt if I put it here.

Stupid rules.

Careful, you'll have that Canadian breathing down yer neck

[elGrande]

I will be in BKK June 1 - 4 and am looking for recommendations for a day trip or possible overnighter that weekend. I've been to BKK a few times (and love it) but was hoping to see a little more of Thailand this time. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Try Korat, only 3 hours by bus