Bangkok/Phuket
We spent 3 days in Bangkok and 5 days in Phuket in July 2004. We loved it and look forward to going back. The Thai people are so friendly and gracious. Bangkok is great for shopping but extreemely hot at that time of the year because of the humidity. Don't go to the "free" gem tour which will take you to visit some very beautiful but overpriced jewlery shops.
We visited the Grand Palace which is a must see. I think if you only have a couple of days in Bangkok, then doing the Grand Palace tour and if you want to visit another temple, than do the one with the reclining Buddha) because the jade buddha is in the temple at the Grand Palace. The Grand Palace has a few temples on it's grounds. They don't allow shorts, sandles and clothing that shows bare shoulders on palace grounds so dress conservatively.
We did not have time to do the floating market tour - I'm told the big one takes 1 day because it takes time to get there and back. We liked shopping at the MBK (Ma Boon Kong? something like that) shopping center. We're told that is where the locals shop - the top floor houses a food court and crafts etc. There is one floor for jewelry/watches.
We did not have time to visit the night market but at night, there were vendors right outside our hotels selling native crafts at very good prices. We were in Bangkok over the weekend and went to the Chutachup (I know it's not spelt right) weekend market. It's amazing - almost everything you can think of is sold there but the heat is stiffling. You can get a map at the entrance telling you what each section specializes in. We took the sky rail - quite a marvelous way to travel to the market - quick and efficient as the traffic in Bangkok is horrendous. We also took a tuk-tuk for a wild, thrilling and scary experience. This is a little, open sided vehicle for hire like a taxi but they weave in and out of traffic and may even go in the wrong direction to get you to where you want to go.
As for Phuket, we stayed at the Marriott Phuket Beach Club - quite the ultimate in quiet, understated luxury. Loved it, food there is good too. But I'm told July is not the time the beaches are at their best, so we did not spend time on the beach. The Marriott Beach was disappointing. I'm told they're at their best in the winter. We visited James Bond island and the tour took us for lunch and brief shopping at the floating village in Phang Na Bay. This village was built on stilts on the bay. I don't know how the village was affected by the Tsunami - does anyone have news of them? We really enjoyed this secnic tour. We also went to the Phuket Fantasea theme park for dinner and show. The park itself is mediocare but the eveninh show is marvelous - it is a beautifully cheorgraphed, Broadway-style show based on a Thai legend with gorgeous, traditional Thai costumes, dances and music. It's a must see. The facade of the Theatre is eye-poping also. We thoroughly enjoyed it - including our 15 yr old daughter. The rest of the time, we were at the Marriott enjoying the ammenities.
We did not do Chang Mai, but a couple we met told us how much they loved it - they said the night market there is the biggest and best.
Some friends of ours based in Singapore advised against going to Pattaya - they said it's gotten sleazy over the recent years.
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