Reccommendations for tourists in Hua Hin + Kanchanaburi + Pattaya

[SlyAnimal]

My Aunt/Uncle are coming over to Thailand, and they want to visit Kanchanaburi to see the Bridge over the River Kwai (They'll spend most of their time in Phuket + my countryside town).

I've convinced them that rather than doing a marathon day trip there from Bangkok we'd be better off hiring a van + staying the night in Kanchanaburi & then also stopping in at Hua Hin on the way back to Bangkok to spend a night there as well (Before then heading to Pattaya), since I want them to see a few more places in Thailand. We'll have 5 days, 4 nights, to visit all 3 locations before we fly out of BKK to go to Phuket (With the possibility of +1 extra night if there are enough good attractions).

Only problem is, I don't really know Kanchanaburi, Hua Hin or Pattaya very well, as while I've visited all 3 previously I was always on a much tighter budget than my aunt/uncle will be. Can you guys recommend a few good things to see in each? (+ maybe a good hotel that's 3000 or less THB per night, next to the beach & good service etc)

I've listed below what I already had in mind, and these might fill up a lot of the available time already, but if there's more then we can cut back 1 night from Phuket and instead spend an extra night elsewhere instead.

Kanchanaburi

Bridge over the river Kwai

POW museum

Dinner by the river/bridge

Hua Hin

Floating Market

Dinner on the Beach

Pattaya

Nong Nooch Gardens

Sanctuary of Truth

3D Art Gallery

Thanks in advance for any assistance you're able to provide me with As it'll be handy to have a bit of local knowledge on what's good & what's not.

[pcliff069]

I wouldn't waste my time at the Floating Market. If you have time try one of the National parks or one of the palaces in the area.

Pattaya the exit sign is the best part of it.

[Aforek]

Floating market, nothing interesting; Maruekatayawan Palace,( north of Hua hin, between Hua hin and Cha am, about 15 kms ), built by King Rama 6 is good place to look, in a beautiful environment; I have been to Kwai River bridge, the bridge is not the same as in the movie, but for historical reason, worth to do it;

same for POW museum

Pattaya, not my thing

[spetersen]

Try this one River Kwai Bridge Resort about 1000 THB per night and breakfast included view from the hotel towards the bridge , 10 minutes waking distance to the bridge and restaurants , you also should take a train trip on the railway train leaves at 10:00 AM, but don't go all the way get of by the big cave there the Japanese was hiding weapons during the war, there is also restaurants with a lovely view over the river and a market , you must also se the hellfire pass and you kan arrange a trip from the hotel. Two Days is a minimum in my opinion

Regards Stefan

[nofarang]

Yes, please do avoid the so called floating market outside Hua Hin. It is not a floating market at all. It is a modern, commercial touristed place boasting with nick-nacks. And above all access is free for Thais only. Farang pay 200 Baht per head. Instead go to the Mareukhathaywan Palace between Hua Hin and Cha Am, a wooden teak facilty within a marvellous seaside garden complex (Wednesday closed, entry 30 Baht per head). For a nice dinner go and sit in the garden of Sailom Hotel direct on the beach. Also a trip to the Sam Roi Yot natural park in the south of Hua Hin is worthwile. On the way to it, you can stop in Paknampran and see an afforsted mangrove forest („Sirinart Rajini Ecosystem Learning Center“). No entry fee.

For hotels use agoda.

[nofarang]

If you are in Hua Hin on Fridays, Saturdays or Sundays go the to cicada market, a big and very nice evning market in front of Hyatt, lots of foodstalls, big eating place under old trees, open-air shops, an art scene, open-air theatre and more. Market opens at 6 pm on these days, admission is free.

[smotherb]

Well, instead of raining on where you want to go; I'll rain on how to get there. Why don't you just rent that van for as many days as it takes. Pick them up at Swampy, go to Pattaya for the night. Drive to Kanchanaburi the second day; Hua Hin the third or forth day; Ao Nang on day 5; then off to Phuket and your countryside home. Fly back to Bangkok.

[captspectre]

my recommendation? go home! the bridge is phoney! as most of the tourist attractions in Thailand!

[AliasJohn]

Your a bunch of fun. Thailand is full of tourist attractions. I have lived here for almost 10 years and are always finding new and interesting things. Get off the beaten track and it's even more fantastic.

Sly animal, when in Kanchanaburi visit Hell Fire Pass and the Australian war museum then take a ride on the "Death Train". There are many river raft type restaurants that your friends would love and they won't break the bank.

[SlyAnimal]

Well, instead of raining on where you want to go; I'll rain on how to get there. Why don't you just rent that van for as many days as it takes. Pick them up at Swampy, go to Pattaya for the night. Drive to Kanchanaburi the second day; Hua Hin the third or forth day; Ao Nang on day 5; then off to Phuket and your countryside home. Fly back to Bangkok.

That is the plan, well Ao Nang isn't part of the plans, but I'm hoping to hire a van for as many days as we need it (Cost permitting, although I think with 4x adults + 1x baby and lots of suitcases, it should have a similar cost to any other transportation we might use but will likely be more convenient).