Bangkok to Angkor Wat: tips/suggestions/advice much appreciated!

Hi, I'm planning a 10-day trip to Thailand (not enough time, I know...
but it's all I have at the moment), and hoping make the journey to
Siam Reap to see the majestic temples of Angkor Wat.

I know there's been much discussion on these groups about this trip,
and how pricey it is, and all the various options on how to get there.
Given my time constraints, though, air is the only way I see of making
it all fit in.

Other ideas we're considering:
-flying from US to Bangkok
-flying from Bangkok to Siam Reap, staying there for a few days
-air/train from Bangkok to Krabi
-sea canoeing, etc in Krabi
-renting a car and driving up to Bangkok for return flight to US

I'm looking for your advice on the trip.. what to do, what not to do,
where to stay, any cheap (but safe) ways on making it all happen, and
your experiences.

So, please share... it's been most helpful thus far.

Thanks,
Sonya

In article ,
(Sonya) wrote:

Hi, I'm planning a 10-day trip to Thailand (not enough time, I know...
but it's all I have at the moment), and hoping make the journey to
Siam Reap to see the majestic temples of Angkor Wat.

I know there's been much discussion on these groups about this trip,
and how pricey it is, and all the various options on how to get there.
Given my time constraints, though, air is the only way I see of making
it all fit in.

Other ideas we're considering:
-flying from US to Bangkok
-flying from Bangkok to Siam Reap, staying there for a few days

buy a Bangkok Air discover pass. It is the cheapest way to fly to and
from REP (Siem Reap) from BKK. $80 per flight to/from REP and $50 for a
domestic sector. You need to buy a minimum of 3 coupons.

Do remember you pay THB 500 each time you leave Thailand and USD 25 when
you leave Cambodia (via REP)

-air/train from Bangkok to Krabi
-sea canoeing, etc in Krabi
-renting a car and driving up to Bangkok for return flight to US

self-drive in Thailand is dicey. don;t do it.

I'm looking for your advice on the trip.. what to do, what not to do,
where to stay, any cheap (but safe) ways on making it all happen, and
your experiences.

So, please share... it's been most helpful thus far.

Thanks,
Sonya

Not the Karl Orff wrote:

In article ,
(Sonya) wrote:

Hi, I'm planning a 10-day trip to Thailand (not enough time, I know...
but it's all I have at the moment), and hoping make the journey to
Siam Reap to see the majestic temples of Angkor Wat.

I know there's been much discussion on these groups about this trip,
and how pricey it is, and all the various options on how to get there.
Given my time constraints, though, air is the only way I see of making
it all fit in.

Other ideas we're considering:
-flying from US to Bangkok
-flying from Bangkok to Siam Reap, staying there for a few days

buy a Bangkok Air discover pass. It is the cheapest way to fly to and
from REP (Siem Reap) from BKK. $80 per flight to/from REP and $50 for a
domestic sector. You need to buy a minimum of 3 coupons.

Do remember you pay THB 500 each time you leave Thailand and USD 25 when
you leave Cambodia (via REP)

-air/train from Bangkok to Krabi
-sea canoeing, etc in Krabi
-renting a car and driving up to Bangkok for return flight to US

self-drive in Thailand is dicey. don;t do it.

I disagree. Driving in Thailand is no big deal for anyone with some common
sense, in my experience.

"Lawrence" wrote in message
...


Not the Karl Orff wrote:

In article ,
(Sonya) wrote:

Hi, I'm planning a 10-day trip to Thailand (not enough time, I
know...
but it's all I have at the moment), and hoping make the journey to
Siam Reap to see the majestic temples of Angkor Wat.

I know there's been much discussion on these groups about this
trip,
and how pricey it is, and all the various options on how to get
there.
Given my time constraints, though, air is the only way I see of
making
it all fit in.

Other ideas we're considering:
-flying from US to Bangkok
-flying from Bangkok to Siam Reap, staying there for a few days

buy a Bangkok Air discover pass. It is the cheapest way to fly to
and
from REP (Siem Reap) from BKK. $80 per flight to/from REP and $50
for a
domestic sector. You need to buy a minimum of 3 coupons.

Do remember you pay THB 500 each time you leave Thailand and USD 25
when
you leave Cambodia (via REP)

-air/train from Bangkok to Krabi
-sea canoeing, etc in Krabi
-renting a car and driving up to Bangkok for return flight to US

self-drive in Thailand is dicey. don;t do it.

I disagree. Driving in Thailand is no big deal for anyone with some
common
sense, in my experience.



Larry,

That's why it becomes such a big deal for all Thai drivers :-)

I see the problem more in the wasted time: Driving from Krabi to Bangkok
for a firsttimer would take a day and result even under the best
circumstances in a sore back and butt, requiring at least another day of
massage and rest before boarding a long-haul flight.

Plus there isn't really that much to see en route. I'd recommend to take
the short flight from Krabi to BKK and spend the time gained on the
beach.

BTW, Siem Reap should be about 3 days min, that's give about 2-2.5
effective days.

Cheers,

Roscoe

Roscoe wrote:

"Lawrence" wrote in message
...


Not the Karl Orff wrote:

In article ,
(Sonya) wrote:

Hi, I'm planning a 10-day trip to Thailand (not enough time, I
know...
but it's all I have at the moment), and hoping make the journey to
Siam Reap to see the majestic temples of Angkor Wat.

I know there's been much discussion on these groups about this
trip,
and how pricey it is, and all the various options on how to get
there.
Given my time constraints, though, air is the only way I see of
making
it all fit in.

Other ideas we're considering:
-flying from US to Bangkok
-flying from Bangkok to Siam Reap, staying there for a few days

buy a Bangkok Air discover pass. It is the cheapest way to fly to
and
from REP (Siem Reap) from BKK. $80 per flight to/from REP and $50
for a
domestic sector. You need to buy a minimum of 3 coupons.

Do remember you pay THB 500 each time you leave Thailand and USD 25
when
you leave Cambodia (via REP)

-air/train from Bangkok to Krabi
-sea canoeing, etc in Krabi
-renting a car and driving up to Bangkok for return flight to US

self-drive in Thailand is dicey. don;t do it.

I disagree. Driving in Thailand is no big deal for anyone with some
common
sense, in my experience.



Larry,

That's why it becomes such a big deal for all Thai drivers :-)

Common sense to most Thai drivers does indeed differentiate from the common
sense of most farang drivers, it seems .





I see the problem more in the wasted time:

Driving from Krabi to Bangkok
for a firsttimer would take a day and result even under the best
circumstances in a sore back and butt, requiring at least another day of
massage and rest before boarding a long-haul flight.

Maybe for the senior citizens...



Plus there isn't really that much to see en route.

Completely disagree. Any route from Krabi you take is beautiful until you
get to hiway 4. The road along the coast north of Phuket is stunningly
beautiful. And hiway 4 is also interesting, I think. Lots of interesting
roads to follow off of 4.

I'd recommend to take
the short flight from Krabi to BKK and spend the time gained on the
beach.

I've done that driving route many times, so I would agree with you..
Maybe these folks are tourists who would like to see and experience as much
of Thailand as possible. Having your own car gives you the freedom to see
and do what you choose, when you choose. It would always be my first choice
of transport in a new country, whenever possible, but with a local driver,
most likely.

It's too bad they don't have more time. 10 days is about what it takes me to
'wind-down' on my holiday..



BTW, Siem Reap should be about 3 days min, that's give about 2-2.5
effective days.

Cheers,

Roscoe

What month do you plan to do this trip?
tester


Sonya wrote in message
om...
Hi, I'm planning a 10-day trip to Thailand (not enough time, I know...
but it's all I have at the moment), and hoping make the journey to
Siam Reap to see the majestic temples of Angkor Wat.

I know there's been much discussion on these groups about this trip,
and how pricey it is, and all the various options on how to get there.
Given my time constraints, though, air is the only way I see of making
it all fit in.

Other ideas we're considering:
-flying from US to Bangkok
-flying from Bangkok to Siam Reap, staying there for a few days
-air/train from Bangkok to Krabi
-sea canoeing, etc in Krabi
-renting a car and driving up to Bangkok for return flight to US

I'm looking for your advice on the trip.. what to do, what not to do,
where to stay, any cheap (but safe) ways on making it all happen, and
your experiences.

So, please share... it's been most helpful thus far.

Thanks,
Sonya

"Sonya" ha scritto

Hi, I'm planning a 10-day trip to Thailand (not enough time, I know...
but it's all I have at the moment), and hoping make the journey to
Siam Reap to see the majestic temples of Angkor Wat.

Dear Sonya,
you have already been given the answers about the Pass which we have used
while there one month ago.
I can suggest the hotel we stayed in Siem Reap: The secrets of Elephants.
The atmosphere is really relaxing and informal and all the eight rooms are
furnished in a different way. It is managed by a French man who has decided
many years ago to leave his country and travel around the world until he has
found his place in Siem Reap.
Here's their web site:
http://www.angkor-travel.com/
As for Krabi, we stayed in town, trying to avoid the crowd in Ao Nang and
the City Hotel was really nice. Just remember to ask for the new rooms,
which are 650 Baht per night and are really really nice. The hotel is just
in front of a small, nice night market.
There is something you must not miss which is a dinner at Kutun. The
restaurant is mostly for locals and the food is excellent and really cheap.
We had fish and prawns and rice and everything we wanted until stuffed and
paid 3 Euro each!!
With regards to the sea canoeing, I suggest you go to Ao Thalen. The canyons
are surrounded by beautiful mangroves and there is also the nice company of
the monkeys climbing up on your kayak to get some fruits...We went on a full
day trip and really enjoyed the experience.
Well, if you have any further questions do not hesitate to ask!
Have a nice trip,
Francesca



Posted from X-Privat Free NNTP server - www.x-privat.org

On Tue, 20 Jan 2004 15:21:07 +0700, Lawrence
wrote:
snip
Completely disagree. Any route from Krabi you take is beautiful until you
get to hiway 4. The road along the coast north of Phuket is stunningly
beautiful. And hiway 4 is also interesting, I think. Lots of interesting
roads to follow off of 4.
snip

That is one of the most stunning I do know, and for a change, because
you have your own vehicle, you could do Trans - Krabi Phangna Phuket
- BEAUTIFUL.

On Tue, 20 Jan 2004 16:26:06 +0700, Chabon
wrote:

On Tue, 20 Jan 2004 15:21:07 +0700, Lawrence
wrote:
snip
Completely disagree. Any route from Krabi you take is beautiful until you
get to hiway 4. The road along the coast north of Phuket is stunningly
beautiful. And hiway 4 is also interesting, I think. Lots of interesting
roads to follow off of 4.
snip

That is one of the most stunning I do know, and for a change, because
you have your own vehicle, you could do Trans - Krabi Phangna Phuket
- BEAUTIFUL.

Sorry (spellchecker) read TRANG - not trans

(Sonya) wrote in message . com...
Hi, I'm planning a 10-day trip to Thailand (not enough time, I know...
but it's all I have at the moment), and hoping make the journey to
Siam Reap to see the majestic temples of Angkor Wat.

I know there's been much discussion on these groups about this trip,
and how pricey it is, and all the various options on how to get there.
Given my time constraints, though, air is the only way I see of making
it all fit in.

Other ideas we're considering:
-flying from US to Bangkok
-flying from Bangkok to Siam Reap, staying there for a few days

Bangkok Airways flies that. It's only about an hour flight, but you
should reserve it well in advance since they fly smaller planes and
they tend to fill up. It's no problem to arrange accomodation and a
guide/driver once you arrive - don't arrange those in advance since
they're much cheaper on the spot. Our room was only $20 US a night
for a triple with hot water and aircon, and a guide on a motorcycle
taxi was only $6 US each.

-air/train from Bangkok to Krabi
-sea canoeing, etc in Krabi
-renting a car and driving up to Bangkok for return flight to US

I'm looking for your advice on the trip.. what to do, what not to do,
where to stay, any cheap (but safe) ways on making it all happen, and
your experiences.

You need two full days to see Bangkok and two full days to see the
Angkor temples. That's a minimum, but considering you only have ten
days and want to spend some time on the beach and sea canoeing, that's
what you should spend - that leaves five days on Krabi. Don't waste
time driving or taking the train - as it stands you'll be pressed for
time, and the flights are not expensive. It's no problem to arrange
accomodation on the ground in Bangkok - what price range are you
looking for? There are rooms on the Khao San Road for as little as
$3, at the other extreme, the Peninsula and Oriental are some of the
highest rated hotels in Asia.