Thailand forum

I like the Sukhumvit Soi 33 area too, particularly for food and shopping and fun. It is a great expat locale. But for most first-time visitors to Bangkok, the Rattanakosin/Banglamphu area is the best bet. This is the area around Sanam Luang where most of the large, famous temples like Wat Phra Kaeo and Wat Pho are located. The National Museum is also nearby. This puts you close to the river too, which is a good thing because the river ferries are a great way to see the city and it makes it easier to visit my personal favorite temple of Wat Arun, on the other side of the river.

This area is right near Khao San Road, the backpacker hangout. Khao San developed where it is exactly because it is so close to these tourist hot spots, but you don't have to stay on Khao San Rd, since there are plenty of other good accommodation choices and places to eat nearby. Just avoid the touts and you should be fine in this area.

As for Chiang Mai , here is a list I put together after a trip to Chiang Mai several years ago, which I think still stands up reasonably well.

- taking the overnight sleeper train either to/from Chiang Mai
- visiting the three temples of Wat U-mong, Wat Singh, and Doi Suthep
- enjoying a walk along the moat
- getting lost in the traditional Thai market on Moon Muang Rd Soi 6
- tasting the curry at Aroon Rai restaurant (profiled in Travelfish)
- getting a massage (try the massage for the blind!)
- a trip through the Night Bazaar (okay), or even better, the Sunday Market (great)

There is much more to do in Chiang Mai of course, and I think the real fun of the city is wandering around and finding places on your own.

By the way, have you booked your overnight sleeper train yet? Those berths fill up quickly anymore so you'll want to book as soon as you can to avoid disappointment. If you are interested in ancient Thai ruins, you might want to make a day trip up to Ayutthaya and then catch the onward sleeper train to Chiang Mai directly from there that evening. Good luck!

6 days I'd stick with 1 city. Bangkok would be my choice.

Khao San Road is loserville. It's for 19yos and lost backpackers who need to stay in packs to survive.

Sukhumvit soi 20-22 is close to Skytrain and nice street food or pratunam but no Skytrain.

Evergreen Place is a great location near MBK and Skytrain. Best money exchange near there too. Best I've ever seen in BKK.

if bangkok isnt enough train it to kanchanaburi. only 3 hours. CM is way too far for a short trip. kanchanaburi is more interesting anyway and on a nice river.

Madmac. Wat Arun-is that a Salsa club or a suburb of Mogadishu?

I'd say buy a day ticket for the river bus.You can get off and see so much from the river (including Wat Arun),China town, (though it's 15 minutes walk from the river) and of course Rambutri,Banglumphoo area. Don't miss the human zoo of KhaoSan Rd.
Flight to Chang Mai is a option to save time. Deals on AirAsia start at around 2000 baht; better than a clapped out Thai night train.

Question.
Don't people climb up to Doi Sutep anymore in Chang Mai city? Beautiful place.

You can walk Khao San in 5 minutes. Takes longer to get there than see it and there's nothing to see. Just losers you would have seen at the airport.

Thong Lor is a good place to explore. Good Issan food there on Ekamai soi 1 Sabai Jai is a massive place with a huge menu.

Saxophone Pub at Victory and Raintree Pub on Rangnam road. Good music venues and the later serves great food as well.

Ratcha for Thai nightclubs.

Khao San would rank about 1000th on my list of things to see.

Make it 100000000000000000th if you like. Was too lazy to add the zeros before

You've never seen backpackers before?

KSR is lame. Same tragics can be seen at airports, pai, phi phi. No need to visit ksr to see bad tourists.

karma, tantric BS, dreadlocks,croaking frogs,Seikh palm readers,dodgy suits on sale, overpriced beer,7-11 drug-dealing.How could you not want to visit KSR.

Most of the 'girls' aren't girls.Cross Ratchdamnoen and you get lots of Ladyboys (maybe that's how they wondered to KSR) and the lower end of the market in prostitution.Some of those girls been standing there so long they're covered in cobwebs.
Madmac, mow you've got me into trouble with some of the ladies on here.