Thailand forum

I spent 2 days/1 night in Kanchanaburi and could have stayed an extra day just to explore but after that I'd say it's enough if you have other things to do.

I booked a trip in Bangkok which included a bus to Kanchanaburi, war cemetry, jeath war museum, walk on the bridge over the river kwai, amazing train ride along the bridge and death railway, lunch (some of the best food we had in Thailand), short elephant ride, bamboo rafting, overnight stay in a hotel with dinner and breakfast the following day, Erwan national park for half a day, dinner, then the bus home. I think we paid 900b each plus about 700b for extras while we were there but it was worth every penny and was the nicest place I went in Thailand.

As for Bangkok I wasn't a huge fan of it, it's a big city like you could get anywhere else in the world (still worth having a look around and having some pad thai etc but I think there's better places to go). There's the grand palace as well, river cruises, markets, shopping etc depending on what you're interested in. I ended up spending about a week there in between trips and travelling, but 2 days would have been more than enough.

I can't recommend anywhere else to go around Bangkok as I went to Chiang Mai next which is too far for 2 days, then Cambodia and Vietnam before travelling to the islands.

Enjoy!

Hey vmegirl,

Five days may seem like a lot but it won't be once you arrive. As Tilapia says, you can spend a few days in Bangkok just having a look around (plus getting over jet lag if you are arriving from far away), then in Kanchanaburi. That could easily eat up five days.

I'm not sure you'll have the time, but the suggestion to head up to Sangkhlaburi near the Burma border is a good one. You might also consider taking an extra day or two heading south, stopping off in Prachuap Khiri Khan or Chumphon. Cheers.

I agree with exacto, perhaps a trip to Sangkhlaburi would be a good option for you. It is about 4 hours past Kanchanaburi , and more of the "real, authentic" Thailand that people are looking for (save the cowboy themed guesthouse??). Kanchanaburi is very relaxing and I'd be content if I could hang there for a few weeks, but on a 20 day tour, I'd recommend splitting those 5 days up between a couple places. After the waterfalls, bridge, and caves around Kanchanaburi, you've pretty much got it covered and all there is to do is swing in a hammock, read a book, and take in the scenery.

If you'd like to do Bangkok, make sure you've got a great plan or else you'll find yourself stuck on Khao San Rd., wishing you were in a postcard instead of living in a tourist ghetto. Mmm Burger King, McDonald's, Irish pubs, lots of foreigners, exactly why I came to Thailand!