From: rreed@mtwire.es.com (Rob Reed)
Subject: Trip Advice Requested
Organization: Evans & Sutherland Computer Corp.
Date: Thu, 28 Jan 1993 19:15:21 GMT


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I'm beginning to plan a trip to Thailand, and would like some
advice/information, please.  I've been to Thailand a few times before,
(5 and 6 years ago) and I do speak some Thai, so I can "get around"
without a tour, or a guide.  In fact, a tour kind of trip is exactly
what I DON'T want.  I do not want to be around tourists, and I do not
want to be around tourist traps.

I'm not very interested in shopping.  I'm not interested in nice
hotels or air conditioned busses.  I'm much more interested in
spending time with Thais in their everyday work and play environment,
and doing the things they do.  I think I'd like to plant some rice, go
to some Buddhist ceremonies, give food to the monks in the morning,
etc.  I want to talk to Thais about the things they are interested in.
I want to "get IN the water" (as John Lennon once put it), and not
just get out of a bus, take a few snapshots, get back in and leave.

The only thing for sure I want to do is to be in northern Thailand for
Songkran (Chiang Mai?), which I believe is April 13, 14, 15.  (Why
northern Thailand?  Because it's cooler, and more fun.)  Other than
that I have no other things in Thailand I absolutely must see or do.

Let me ask some questions:

1.  How can I get train tickets (a sleeping coach) to Chiang Mai from
Bangkok before the train gets sold out?  If I'm in Bangkok the morning
of the 9th of April, can I buy the ticket that morning for the evening
train without problem?

2.  What would be interesting to see in Bangkok in the early morning,
before the streets are crowded and the heat is unbearable.  (I DO NOT
want to be stuck in a gigantic traffic jam in 100 degree weather!)
I've never seen that big reclining gold Buddha statue in Bangkok, nor
have I been to the golden mountain.  I have been to Wat Arun and the
palace area, and the snake farm, and the big park (Lumphini?) by the
Dusit Hotel.

3.  Is it possible to sleep in a Wat for a night or two?

4.  How might it be possible for me to spend time with a Thai family,
(eat a meal or two with them, go to the show with them, or whatever)
if I don't know any families there?  (Dumb question?) At least, what is
the best way to meet and converse with Thais, especially families?

5.  Where are good places to go snorkling or skin diving?  (By the
way, thanks to Bunlur Emaruchi for the Royal Forest Department
information.)

6.  Are the Thai boxing matches worth attending?  (What's the
stadium's name?)

7.  Any kite flying contests going on this time of year?  How about
Takraw?

8.  Once in Chiang Mai, would it be inadvisable to rent a car?  A
motorcycle?

9.  I don't think I want to go on any treks through the jungle, but I
would like to see some Hill tribes that haven't been commercialized,
and perhaps stay overnight.

10.  The river trip from Fang to Chiang Rai?  How is it?

11.  I don't need to ride any elephants (I've done that, and they're
too slow) but I would like seeing a lot of non-caged monkeys and other
animals.  (Except snakes) Where?

12.  How much cooler is the temperature in northern Thailand?  What about
North Eastern Thailand?

13.  Any interesting/enjoyable khlong rides in the Bangkok/Thonburi area?
How about in other cities?



Now some non-Thailand questions you may be able to help me with:


1.  How could I go about getting into Loas, legally and safely?  I'd
like to travel to the old capital, LuangPhraBang.  If I can't make it
there, what about the current capital?

2.  I'd like to go to Angkor Wat in Cambodia (Kampuchea?).  How might
this be possible?  How dangerous is it?

3.  What about the Road to Mandalay in Burma (Mayanmar)?  Sounds
interesting, but how difficult would this be?

4.  What are the plane fares from Bangkok to Rangoon?  Phnom Penh?
Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City)?

5.  How does one best adjust/prepare for jet lag?  I don't want to be
completely wasted when I arrive in Bangkok.  I have a hard time
sleeping on the plane.  Any kind of pills you can recommend?



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Rob
--
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Rob Reed					   (801)582-5847 x6442
Evans & Sutherland Computer Corp.  Simulation Division   SLC, UT 84108
UUCP: ...!uunet!sim.es.com!rreed  *NET: rreed@sim.es.com
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Organization: Doctoral student, Mechanical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon, Pittsburgh, PA