AboutRon Egerton Expertise I can tell you a great deal about air travel, coach travel and train travel througout Malaysia and Thailand
Also tourist destinations, hotels and shopping.
Also about the people.
Experience I have been travelling to Malaysia for almost ten years, and living in Malaysia full time, married to a Malaysian, for the past four years.
I have travelled extensivly throughout the country also.
I do not know whether you need a separate form filled in, but I have also travelled extensively through Thailand and as I mentioned above, I am an Australian, having lived in Queensland for my earlier life and travelled the length and breadth of that stae.
I am now semi retired and have the time, and the inclination to help people out.
Thank you,
Ron Egerton
Publications Australian Trotting Register, Trotting Record, Harness Racing Monthly and some occasional items in the press.
Expert: Ron Egerton Date: 7/17/2007 Subject: Travel in Thailand
Question QUESTION: Hi Ron,
Really appreciate your doing this. I'm spending 4 days in Thailand and want to find out if it is hard to see the sights on my own, or whether I should follow local tours? Also please advise me on any potential dangers when traveling in Thailand!
Yours, Jen
ANSWER: Hi Jen,
right 4 days is not long.Can be hard to get around
No need to follow local tours.
What do you like to do or want to do?
Are you flying in? Do you want to shop, beach , water, wildlife sanctuary, monkeys, temples or whatever?
Let me know and I will try and give you alternatives.
Regards
Ron
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QUESTION: Hi Ron,
I would like to 1) see the city sights, 2) see the ruins and water market around, 3) see what's unusual and 4) shop! Perhaps I left too much off this list?
I'm just worried about transport and getting rogue taxis/traffic jams, or getting food poisoning. So I should just take public transport on my own? I'm in a group of 2.
Yours, Jen
ANSWER: Okay Jen,
I would stay at the Bangkok Centre Hotel.
Reasons are position. It is right across the road from the main railway station at a very busy intersection, but it is connected by a very good subway, and the subway is the terminal station for the underground railway.
This will take you to the Silom night markets(ask them which station as you get off one station past Silom).
They are a good orderly night markets with a great eating area. You buy the tickets and use them to pay for the food and get a refund with whats left and good cold beer.
Also the u/ground connects with Sky Train which will take you all over Bangkok including down to the river where you can take a proper ferry trip or bargain with one of the drivers for a ride in the bum boat around the canals etc..The weekend market in city, at the end of skyTrain are humongous, too big and hot for me, but literally thousands of stalls.Most of the taxis are okay just insist on meter..Go over to the railway station and there is some tour agents up on first floor verandah, and as you look up go to the one on the right end. They are cheaper and will organise the floating market.
If you are there on a Sunday the railway runs an aircon trip up to Bridge On the River Kwai if that interests you, but book early. During the week they run a third class diesel which can be fun but takes a few hours. Actually the railway has a few other trips around which are good and good value..
I have no trouble eating in the streets and have not ever been sick. Also the Bangkok Centre, should be if 4 nights around 1200 or so baht a double including breakfast and they have a pool. It is also close to China Town and the temples.
That should take care of four days.Oh I forgot, night time the night markets down at Patpong Road anothet few hundred stalls and bars and eating places and good fun and close by.
If you want the baech,swim or monkeys etc get down to Hua Hin 3 hours and 160 Baht by aircon bus from the southern bus terminal. Great place.
Not enough?well ask more.
Hua Hin go by bus and you can get a schedfuled light plane service, Cessna Caravan, right back into the main airport.
Regards, Ron
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: I forgot to add: My prices were 1900 a night for a double. Is there a budget website that you use?
Jen
Answer Hi Jen,
I am in Australia for the next 7 weeks and I am having trouble downloading my online information.
I have an adress for a good little boutique hotel.
Hpwever the passion asia people i have used personally before and found them reliable.
The other hotel it is 3 years since I stayed there but it was okay.
I know the site you are looking at is Bangkok Centre Hotel. In the past when I have stayed there I have called them direct and said is this the best you can do and they have always discounted the rate.I tried, but cannot get their email to work,but a quick call and they will give you an answer tell them the per night rate for 4 nights.
Whatever you do try and get hotel near one of the railway.
if I can get this darn browser working I will come back to you.
Please let me know.
Ron
