Testimonials
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We booked a day tour with Tong after reading so many wonderful reports about her, and I would have to say it was the highlight of our whole trip, if you book a trip with Tong you will not be disappointed she is a very special lady, and her warmth, good humour and her generous and outgoing nature made our day out with her all the more special. Our first stop with Tong was at the floating market’s, Tong just fed us so much delicious food, some of the best I have ever had, I could not imagine doing this tour with out her, Tong knew all the best places to go, and she makes it so much fun along the way, our next stop was the Tiger Temple and if you go with Tong you are treated like a VIP, it was such an experience to be up so close to these amazing creatures, our children still talk about it, and I still find it hard to believe that we all actually got into a cage with a sun bear, it was a moment we will never forget.
After the tiger temple Tong took us to a lovely restaurant, where we ate yet again more tasty Thai food, and then after lunch we went to Kanchanaburi to the forest orphanage, there we got to meet with the children, and our own children got to play and interact with the kid’s at the orphanage, we had a tour and got to see where the children bathe and play in the river , and how they grow and take care of their own vegetables, we organized with Tong to buy the children dinner, and I also organised with Tong to order some birthday cakes and have them delivered to the orphanage, to celebrate my husbands birthday . It was a very touching moment when all the children sang him happy birthday, and the best part was when my family dished up the cake to the excited children, it was a moment that my family will a never forget, and we feel more enriched for having spent a couple of hours with these beautiful children. I felt especially proud when my nine year old son took off his new necklace he bought from the tiger temple and gave it to one of the children, I think that day my son realised just how fortunate he really is, and just how good it feels to give to people, even if it is only in some small way.
To sum up our day with Tong was just brilliant, and she would have to be one of the nicest people on the planet that we have ever met, we all love her.
Natalie & family
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My husband and I are seasoned travellers throughout South-East Asia, with this trip being our third to Bangkok. It was only on returning from our last trip to Kanchanaburi, we found out about the Tiger Temple. Determined not to miss out this time, we did some research and found excellent reviews about Tong’s Tours on Trip Advisor.
We initially contacted Tong only a couple of days before we were due to arrive in Bangkok and she immediately responded to our request and everything was organised very quickly with a personal guide and driver.
On the morning of our tour, our guide Nui, met us bright and early in the lobby of our hotel, the Grand China Princess. As we had been to Kanchanaburi before, we had three specific requests. We wanted to see a War Museum that we hadn’t seen before, be taken to the site where the remnants of the original Bridge over the River Kwai was located, and we wanted to go to the cub feeding at the Tiger Temple.
Nui was only too happy to accommodate us and nothing was too much trouble. Our first stop was a Museum opposite the War Memorial. This museum was better than the other museums we had seen in the past. Although Nui didn’t know where the site for the original bridge was, she made it her mission to find out where it was while we looked through the museum.
After looking through the museum, Nui met us and bartered for us at a nearby stall for souvenirs we wished to purchase, and got very good prices.
Nui and our driver then took us to the site of the original bridge, where only a small section of it remains, and another museum is located. After plenty of photographs, we were then taken to the Tiger Temple.
Once again Nui was fantastic. She got us in first to do everything from feeding and holding the baby cubs, to having us first in line to walk the tigers down to the canyon. She then organized for us to be the first ones to have the special photograph taken with the tigers. This was truly an amazing experience to have the tiger’s head in your lap. Nui also made sure we had plenty of great photos to take away with us.
After the canyon, we were taken back to the cubs where we got to play with them for a short while before going off to see Bam Bam the bear and the other animals that roam free throughout the temple.
With it being well after lunch time, Nui suggested we might like some food, and arranged for us to have a meal at a great restaurant which is located only a few minutes away from the Tiger Temple. The food was to die for and well priced!!
We then headed back into Kanchanaburi where we went back to the Bridge over the River Kwai for more photos and a bit of shopping before heading back to Bangkok.
We had planned to do some other animal-type safari tours while we were in Bangkok, however, after experiencing this tour with Nui, we knew nothing else could compare and decided we would leave with the best memories.
We highly recommend Tong’s Tours to tailor-make your tour to what you want.
A big thank you for a wonderful day to both Nui and Tong.
Kerin and Shane Parker
Perth, Western Australia
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My husband and I had our very first trip overseas and to Bangkok. Prior to leaving we researched our destination and came across Tong’s tours with so many fantastic recommendations. We just had to tour with her. And so glad we did. What an incredible two days we had – one with Tong and one with Jerry.
Day 1 was a big day with Tong. She picked us up from our hotel early in the morning. We were driven in style and comfort in her SUV and offered cold towels and cold drinks all throughout the journey. Our first stop was to the floating market. Tong made sure we arrived early before all the crowds arrived. Tong bought us yummy food along the way and helped us with any purchases we made.
Tong made sure we were always comfortable with toilet stops and interesting stops to a temple, china factory and wood carving factory. Her commentary along the way was always informative and full of humour.
We arrived at the Tiger Temple early enough to have a play with tiger cubs and patting some incredible full grown tigers. Tong made sure we were always first in line for everything and made us feel like very special visitors. Tong took care of all our photography and we ended up with very professional photos. We walked with the tigers to the canyon and then got special photos taken with the tigers’ heads in our lap. We were thrilled with that but to our amazement Tong got us a special privilege to lay with one of the biggest tigers. What an experience. The next big surprise and thrill was to visit Bam Bam the bear (Tong’s adopted daughter). Tong really has a special relationship with Bam Bam and feeds her all sorts of ‘goodies’. We felt very special feeding, patting and being in the cage with Bam Bam. We were amazed how all the animals just loved Tong and we feel that the tigers and all the other animals are extremely well cared for and looked after by Tong, the monks and all the staff. What an amazing experience.
We left the Tiger Temple to go Elephant Bathing. On route we stopped and hand fed monkeys. On arrival at the elephant park Tong told us to change as we would be getting very wet. Little did we know what we were in for. We hand fed the elephant and had a pleasant and relaxing ride down to the river. Then the fun began. We rode her into the river where she squirted us relentlessly with tons of water from her trunk and tossed us off on numerous occasions. All in a very cheeky and playful manner. We even brushed and washed her with shampoo. We had a water fight with her but guess who won? All the while Tong was taking photos and laughing hysterically. It was the most incredible and funniest experience we have ever had.
After exhaustion and having a cold beer (offered by Tong) we were off to our last stop – The Bridge over The River Kwai. We walked across the bridge with more special photos taken by Tong. A little apprehensive when we heard the train coming but Tong said she liked to take ‘before and after shots’ of tourists. She has a great sense of humour.
We arrived back at our hotel in Bangkok about 9.30pm at night exhausted and happy. It was hugs and a sad goodbye to our special friend, Tong. But we will see her again on repeat trips to Thailand. She is one incredible tour guide and lady.
Day 2 with Jerry (just as fantastic) will be on a separate review.
Lyn and Ray Larter
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On rare occasion you come across a person who is truly passionate about what they do. Tong is one of these special people. She is full of zest and finds joy in bringing happiness to other people. She always goes the extra mile to ensure you have the best experience. A tour with Tong will be an unforgettable one.
Edmund Wong
Surrey , Canada
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We were very pleased with the service provided by Tong. Although she herself wasn't personally available to give us the tour, the personable and very knowledgeable tour guide and driver she provided took us in a VIP van to any place we requested to visit. We also had a timely driver who picked us up and dropped us off at the airport. We can definitely wholeheartedly recommend Tong's Tours!
Harold and Gail
Florida, USA
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Charlie, Kate and I would like to thank you so much for two wonderful days in Bangkok. The lessons about the Royal family and Buddhism will stay with us. Tong you are very fortunate to have an employee like Charlie. Charlie's knowledge of Thai history, humour and good nature were a delight. We left Bangkok regretting that we didn't spend enough time there, we will be back and will look forward to seeing our friend Charlie once again. We have recommended Charlie to friends and family traveling to Bangkok in September.
Thank you Charlie once again take care mate.
Doug and Kate Dannatt
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In 2008 my family trip was to Thailand ; it was our first time to Thailand and thought we could use a tour guide in Bangkok to show us the amazing sights. After reading many reviews and articles on the web we booked our tour with Tong.
As soon as Tong arrived at our hotel we knew it was going to be a great day as Tongs bubbly personality welcomed us. Our first part of the tour was a leisurely kayak trip down the River Kwai to the bridge, Tong was fantastic and explained all the history.
We then visited the Tiger Temple - this place is awesome. Tong was brilliant, we were like VIP’s, we got access to things that not everyone can such as walking the young tiger cubs and getting up close to a moon bear named Bam Bam.
Next up was a short drive to see the elephants – what unfolded next blew us away. We thought we would be just riding the elephants ; we did this (bare back !!! ) but then rode down into the river where for the next hour we played in the water with these magnificent giants. We rode in the river, swam beside them, washed them, they lifted us up with their trunks and squirted water at us.
To this today we all still say it was one of the best days of our lives. We highly recommend Tong’s Tours .
Ashlee Keys (age 13)
Australia.
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