Tour Guide with car Chiang Mai area and beyond

[anakot]

I am looking for a tour guide with car in the Chiang Mai area late Dec 11.
Have just done a search of SGF and sent off a few pm's.
Would like recommendations if anyone has someone they feel able to promote. Please PM me if you would rather not post.

Thanx
Anakot

[bucknaway]

I have used Bird. He is a very nice guide with humble prices. He also has his own car.

I pulled his into from Utopia for you:

Bird Tour Guide
081-883-1297, FAX 053-904-771, email. A freelance tour guide in Chiang Mai and northern Thailand for more than 8 years. Bird is gay and loves to meet people from everywhere around the world. Bird's English-speaking professional gay guides will share their local knowledge and experiences with visitors. Strictly a professional service, so please remain respectful. Licensed by the Tourism Authority of Thailand and the Chiang Mai Professional Guide Association.

[bao-bao]

Depending on where you're leaving from and how much time you want a guide you might consider Smiles' partner Suphot. He may already be booked, but it would probably be worth asking. His old truck was comfortable to travel in and the new one looks even better.

He drove me around for a week up into Isaan a couple of years ago. Those 28 stories about traveling with him are here:
http://khunbaobao.blogspot.com/search/label/Isaan%20Odyssey

[Smiles]

Thanks for the plug-with-pictures Bao Bao.
Yes folks, Suphot's business is a thriving affair even in low season. Completely unexpected: he had 5 jobs in 7 days last week ... could've knocked both of us over with one small feather.
Usually we use the slow months of September and October for our own travelling together, but perhaps not so much this year.

Anakot, please check your PM in-box.

[HawaiiBoy]

I have several times used Ben (full name Benjira Kotmongkol) benjirak@yahoo.com . He owns his own very comfortable vehicle that seats 4 or 5. He is based in Chiang Mai and knows the area very well. I appreciated the fact that every time I booked him he had new destination to show me.

Very safe, very dependable.

[anakot]

Thanks for the help. Have secured the services a few guides so the trip looks good.

Has anyone stayed at any of these hotels in Chiang Mai and has strong feelings either way. Are they close to 'things'? Some of the more popularly listed are already full...

Chiang Mai Plaza Hotel 92 Sridonchai Road, Night Bazaar, Chiang Mai,
Maninarakorn Hotel 99 Sridonchai Rd. T. Changklan, A. Muang, Chiang Mai
Royal Lanna Hotel 119 Loykroh - Night Bazaar Road, T. Changklan, A. Muang, Night Bazaar, Chiang Mai

Thanx
AKT

[anakot]

Hired Suphot for 5 days and toured Ayuthaya, Buriram (Phanom Rung), Khao Yai/Khao Khio, Khorat (Phimai), Khon Khaen to Sukothai.

Suphot offers an excellent service. He is reliable, patient, cheerful, careful and all that you would want in a driver. Apparently he comes from Surin so is knowledgeable about 'ruins' and the like if that is where your interest lies. All in all I would strongly recommend him to anyone. His rates can be obtained from him directly so i wan't go into those details here. The vehicle is great and large enough for 3 to seat comfortably. Its big too... (size queen alert!), the vehicle that is. The only thing that should be clarified is where he, the driver will stay, ie in the same place as you or whether he will find his own spot. This was the only thing that was not clear before we started and it was a bit embarrassing when this was raised in foyer of the first hotel... Just a minor point really. Shows you have good the whole thing was...

He can be contacted here: suphot.tours@gmail.com

Here is some stuff on hotels.
Pakchong Landmark Hotel
151/1 Mitraphab Rd Pakchong
Nakon Ratchsima 30130
Tel: (044) 280047-54 Fax: (044) 280122

Price for 1 room 2 persons per night About 1200 baht
WiFi тАУyes but patchy. Some rooms donтАЩt work. Took a couple of changes of room to get one where it worked...
Breakfast тАУ Included; Thai standard issue but cold.
Shower: Pathetic
Bed: a bit worn out but OK
Would I stay there again? - No
The main advantage of this place is that it is close to Khao Yai/Khio the UNESCO Heritage listed park. The park which is large vast is spectacular. Admission for FNGS 400 baht.
http://s297.photobucket.com/albums/mm229/matspj75/pak_hotel.jpg

Khon Kaen Happy Hotel
Sorry forgot to get a card so don't have the address. Tried google but you try googling 'happy' during CNY... Anyway any Thai guy can call them and will be able to find it I am sure. look at the price...
Price for 2 rooms 3 persons per night 990 baht
WiFi тАУExcellent..
Breakfast тАУ 80 baht American style;
Shower: Excellent
Bed: Excellent
Would I stay there again? - Yes

http://s297.photobucket.com/albums/mm229/matspj75/Khon_Khaen_Happy_Hotel.jpg

Thai Thai Sukhothai Guest House
Tel : +66(0)84-932-1006 , +66(0)81-674-0505
Fax : +66 (0)55 697 022
E-mail : info@thaithaisukhothai.com
Website : http://www.thaithaisukhothai.com"
http://www.thaithaiguesthouse.com"
Address: 407/4 Moo 3 Napho-Khirimas Rd. Muangao,Sukhothai , 64210 Thailand
http://s297.photobucket.com/albums/mm229/matspj75/suk1_hotel.jpg
An another shot...
http://s297.photobucket.com/albums/mm229/matspj75/suk_hotel.jpg

The main advantage of this place is that it is near to the fantastic ancient city. And the bus to Chiang Mai stops in the local town not far away.
WiFi тАУOK
Breakfast тАУ Free ;
Shower: Excellent
Bed: Good
Would I stay there again? - Yes but i will not be visiting this area again. It is a oncer for me.
You are a long way from night life. There is one restaurant about 300 metres and full of farang families's children running around everywhere. Yuk and the food is rubbish.

[anakot]

If all else fails and you are unable to find a decent hotel then you could try this seen on the sidewalk in Khon Kaen in the early hours of the morning. The only problem is you have to take your shoes off before you go inside. But it is cheap and that appeals to me.

I can't stand having to take my shoes off so won't be staying here...

http://s297.photobucket.com/albums/mm229/matspj75/hammock_hotel.jpg

:sleepy1:

[Smiles]

" ... The only thing that should be clarified is where he, the driver will stay, ie in the same place as you or whether he will find his own spot. This was the only thing that was not clear before we started and it was a bit embarrassing when this was raised in foyer of the first hotel ... "
On behalf of my old man, thanks Anakot for the generous comments and recommendation: always greatly appreciated.

One clarification though ... your quote above is incorrect: Here is a quote from one of the first emails I sent back to you during your original enquiry regarding your trip.


" ... Payment of gasoline, food, and accommodation expenses (the latter need not be where you are staying ... Pot can easily find lodging for 400-600 baht a night) ... "
This point regarding 'accommodation' is always made to potential customers right up front, and in fact is included in the advertising post I put up on Sawatdee once a year. post238756.html?hilit=suphot%20tours#p238756 (http://www.sawatdee-gay-thailand.com/forum/post238756.html?hilit=suphot%20tours#p238756)