Testimonials
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We were lucky enough to have been made aware of Tongs tour guides prior to our recent trip to Thailand. Being out first time to Bangkok, we really wanted to make sure we made the most of our time and got to see the true Thailand and meet real people. To do so the only way is with an experienced guide who can explain all the things that you cant get from any book.
We were fortunate enough to be able to secure Tongs services for the day. Our only request was that we wanted to see the Maeklong train market and the Damnoen Saduak floating market. The rest of our day was left in her experienced hands.
All I can say is do not miss out on getting yourself a guide through Tong. We had the most amazing day of our 16 days in Thailand, which included Chiang Mai and Phuket.
Tongs warm personality, infectious laughter and great sense of humour made the day our most memorable for the entire trip - and we did a lot. A tour with Tong or one of her experienced guides is not like any guide I have experienced before. It is more like being shown around the hometown of a friend you have known for 20 years. Tongs knowledge of the areas we visited as well as her insights into real Thai life were undoubtedly, the highlight of our trip.
We only got to scratch the surface of the area in and around Bangkok as there is so much to do. We will defintely be returning to Bangkok and will be seeing a lot more with our newest dear friend Tong. We cannot recommend Tongs business enough. If you are going to Thailand I would consider it essential that you take at least one day with Tong to understand just how great her services are and what a massive difference it can make to your Thailand experience.
Paul Ellis
Australia
ello10@optusnet.com.au
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My partner Rick and I only had a couple of days in Bangkok , so after a lot of research we chose to Tour with Tong. Her name just kept coming up as highly recommended.
This was the first time I had ever hired a guide, so I was a little apprehensive.
Our guide Kung was just fantastic. She is a lovely natured person with a great sense of humour.
Kung was very informative and always looking for ways to keep us amused through the day.
We visited the Railway Markets first and we both agreed this was our favourite visit as it was a very unusual and interesting place to visit. We also visited the floating markets and the Palace on the way back. We were keen to see the Tiger Temple but felt we could not fit it all in one day and we were quite exhausted by the time we got back to our hotel.
We felt very safe with our driver and the vehicle we had was outstanding. Kung always made sure we were comfortable, fed and watered well!
We are constantly recommending Tong to anyone we hear of that is heading to Bangkok and we would definitely book again with her if we are ever in Bangkok again.
Thank you to Kung and Tong for a visit we will always remember fondly.
Vicki & Rick
Perth , Western Australia
March 2009
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Below is a comment I left on the Cruise Critic Asia Forum. We were absolutely delighted with Tai as our guide. She is a real jewel. Please pass our many thanks to her for everything she did to make our three days absolutely wonderful.
“My wife and I used Tong in April for three days of tours. She did ask for a deposit which amounted to around 35% of the total charge for the three days. Since I had been communicating with her for over a year, I had no problem using PayPal to provide her requested deposit.
Tong assigned Tai be our guide for all three days (Bangkok Highlights, Ayutthaya, and Floating Market with Elephant ride). She was absolutely outstanding. I know I have read similar comments about Tong's other team members, but we would find it hard to believe that they could be better than Tai.”
I also want to thank you for all of your help in setting up our tours and the reservations for the Loy Nava Dinner Cruise. I realize how busy you are and appreciate your responses to my many emails.
Best Regards,
Dennis and Rhoda Hill
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Our day with Kung
We had agreed to meet in our hotel lobby at 07.00am Tuesday 26/05/2009 by Kung our guide for the day and Nob our driver. We had an early breakfast and arrived in the lobby at 06.50am to be greeted by both who had already arrived. Immediately we were struck by how warm and welcoming they both were and that was just at the introductions. We had hired the sedan car which was adequate for us 2 adults and son and I must congratulate Nob on his driving not once did he give us any need for concern very safe driver.
We set off to go to the train market leaving the grey skies of Bangkok behind, Kung was a wealth of information on our travels, pointing out local things of interest on the way was always able to answer any questions we had. Arrived at the train market and toured the various stalls with Kung it was surreal, bought fruit for eating later that morning Kung also purchased her lunch. Thai people (stall holders) more than to show us produce etc and again learned much more on this visit being accompanied by kung. Then the train passed through just fascinating (had seen you tube clip of this, so had been on my list to do).We then met up with Nob and it was off to the floating market. Skies had already brightened up and sun was out, on our way made surprise stop to local wood craftsman shop it was great to see the craftsmen at work and the furniture they produce (shipped all over the world, not cheap but detail and work that goes into pieces, its not going to be).
Arrived at Floating market with boat ready and Kung joined us, we had just over one hour floating around the canals stopping to buy drinks food etc amazing, we also ate fruit we’d previously purchased at the train market. This was a brilliant experience loved the atmosphere there was a real buzz to the place again Kung was right there given us advice and information she made sure we didn’t pay over the odds for souvenirs as we had a code word she give us. (she was a joy all day never flagged in her enthusiasm). Joseph was really enjoying himself and kung was giving him lots of attention she made sure he was comfortable all day. Toilet stops never a problem she supplied us with water even had an umbrella which we did use later that day. She really paid attention to our needs.
Now we were heading to Kanchanaburi for the Burma Railway Centre/Cemetery and the famous Bridge really pleased we took the time out to visit, the Centre is well worth a visit and only 100 bahts per person 50 for children also includes free tea/coffee, This is where we met up with Kung after our visit around the centre, took 30 mins out for a drink and snack. We then went over to cemetery which is facing the centre really moving, lovely and peaceful and very well kept.
We then headed to the elephant camp passing the Bridge which we were to do on our way back. On the way we stopped to buy bananas for the elephants (bought kilo’s and kilo’s all for pennies) Kung phoned ahead to tell them we were on our way, again she pointed out things we would have missed. Wild monkeys were not out the day we passed but the weather was changing skies were becoming darker. On arrival at the camp we changed into swim wear at first all three of us were going to get onto the one elephant but they saw my hubby and decided we needed two elephants.(hahaha)Cost of this visit was only 400 bahts per person Kung took charge of my video/camera. It was an unbelievable experience, must admit was taken aback by the size of the elephants not something you see everyday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!heart was racing when riding the elephant down to the river my manhout will still have the scratches to prove this. But i am glad i done it, had fun adrenalin was rushing Joseph had a ball with the elephants even sitting on its trunk. Derek and I did opt to walk back whilst Joseph took charge and rode the elephant back with his manhout sitting behind him. We later fed the elephants the bananas we had bought, it was a fantastic experience and been a real talking point since we’ve been home. Once showered and changed to then headed for some food, by then weather had changed now had thunder storms and the heavens had open. Went to restaurant recommend by Kung and after a lot of persuasion Kung and Nob joined us, what a good choice food was lovely bill was peanuts cant believe you can eat like a king for so little, Weather was not improving but we decided we’d still go back to the bridge, did see the bridge but rain was pouring couldn’t go on it Kung was very apologetic about this why!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.It was now time to head back to our hotel in Bangkok weather was appalling on our way back but as I’ve said Nob was a very safe driver. Joseph went to sleep but i didn’t want to miss anything and Kung was still a minefield of information, so we chatted.
Arrived back at hotel at approx 20.00pm, We had a fantastic day exceeded our expectations got so much out of our day and that was due to Kung, she is a lovely warm lady who looked after us ever so well an angel. It was an awesome day and has only wetted our appetite for further holidays to Thailand. Cant thank Kung enough that day was the highlight of our visit to Thailand. She has a special place in our hearts.
Many Many thanks Love and Very Best Wishes
Joanne Derek and Joseph Robinson
England
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We spent the first two days of our honeymoon in Thailand with the fantastic Tong, we cannot find the words to describe what an amazing time we had, and could not have been guided around by a nicer, and more knowledgable person!
Our first day we visited the War Memorial, the bridge over the River Kwai and then bathed an elephant and went to the Tiger Temple. Bathing the elephant was such an amazing experience and we had so much fun, Tong shot a video and took brilliant photos of us so that we can treasure our memories forever.
On the second day we went to the Fishing Village and also fed some wild monkeys. Of our two weeks in Thailand we will remember forever the time we spent with Tong who bent over backwards to always ensure we were happy and that Jody had a beer in his hand!
Tong - you are sensational, you made our trip, thank you very much, from the bottom of our hearts for showing us your beautiful country, we had so much fun and it was all because of you.
Love
Mr & Mrs Bourner xxx
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My husband and I were doing our fourth trip to Bangkok.
Previously we had hired a guide through a well known travel service so I emailed them about another two days of travel within the district of Bangkok requesting a quote for both days. I was promptly sent a reply but when we saw that the cost was almost double to what it had been two years ago. (I might add that it wasn’t cheap then) we decided to search on the web. Tongs name appeared constantly so we decided to contact her. This was the best thing we have ever done. Tong immediately set about arranging our tours. We saw and went to places totally different to what we had ever experienced before. She went out of her way to make sure that we would remember our two days spent with her as the best time we have ever spent in Thailand. We had previously been to the floating markets but had read that Tongs tour there was totally different to the usual, this turned out to be sooo true. We ate food that we would never have tried without the reassurance from Tong that it was totally safe (All purchased by her) after the floating markets Tong took us to her secret place, the fishing village, where we saw just how the locals go about their daily routine. The highlight of that day for us was feeding the hundreds of monkeys that Tong and her boat skipper called to. They appeared from nowhere and we spent at least an hour with them. We were given a delicious seafood lunch before returning to our hotel after a wonderful day. The next day Tong took us to the Flower markets in China town after which we did a spot of shopping. Then off to lunch at one of Tongs favourite restaurants. ‘”.Absolutely delicious”. I had previously asked Tong to take us to some orchid farms so that I could purchase some orchids grown in sterile conditions in glass bottles, which is the only way we could carry them back into Australia without a permit. Even though she had no idea where to go, Tong with her bubbly enthusiasm took it all in her stride and before long she had taken us to two farms where we purchase our quota of orchid flasks. Tong is a treasurer and a great ambassador for her country and there is no doubt whatsoever that we will be contacting her before we take our annual trip next year. After having her as our guide we have been totally spoilt and would not consider doing a tour without her. She is a treasure and much more like your best friend than a guide.
Bob & Ivy Wheeler
Australia
Ivy1710@aanet.com.au
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