Originally Posted by Travel Forum Guest

The Baiyoke Suites. I stayed there for two nights a couple of years ago and checked out thereafter despite initially booking for five nights. Take my word for it, the place is not worth the money. You can do far better than that dump of a place.

I don't know what your budget is, but the Rabbit Resort in Pattaya is one of the nicest places I have stayed at in Thailand. It has a dedicated child's pool and the rooms and grounds are absolutely gorgeous. It is directly opposite the beach, but I would advise against swimming in the sea as it is so horribly polluted.

I'll bet London to a brick that you end up buying heaps of stuff at the Pratunam Markets. Chiang Mai is definitely the cheapest major place in Thailand for shopping and also for accommodation. The night market is the mother (and father) of all night markets and the goods are definitely cheaper than similar items in Bangkok and Phuket and Pattaya.

You don't really need a guide for Chinatown. Take the underground to Hualumphong and from there it is only a short walk. Buy Nancy Chandler's map of Bangkok and follow her "pink line" through Chinatown. You won't get a better guide than than.

The shopping is also good in Chinatown, particularly for cloths, watches, textiles and gold (although at the recent price of the precious metal who can afford it?)

I've always thought Chinatown in Bangkok is one of the most defining areas of an intriguing metropolis.

Whilst there, you might try some of the Chinese restaurants for lunch as they are the best Chinese restaurants in the city apart from a few high end expensive eateries in the 4 and 5 star hotels in the Sukhumvit and Silom areas.

Enjoy your trip. Our next trip in July is almost identical to that outlined by you with the exception of Pattaya - we are putting in Vietnam instead of "sin city".