Testimonials
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Nang collected us from our hotel at 7am.
While we were on our way to the train market, Nang and our driver pointed out places along the way and told us stories about some.
We found the train market to be very interesting because we were able to see the different types of food that Thai people buy. It was a great experience to see the stall holders preparing for the train to go through the middle of the market. As we were walking to our vehicle, Nang bought some Thai pancakes and sticky rice for us to try. It was great because if she did not do this, we would have walked straight past and never tried them... and the pancakes were delicious.
We then headed to the floating market, which was extremely busy! As well as going through the market, we went through the back canals where some Thai people live. Before we left the market, Nang bought some guava for us to try.
Nang frequently took our camera (after asking) to take photos of us so that we could all be in them.
Our next stop was wood carving. Then off to the Kanchanaburi Cemetery. We then chose to pay to go into the Kanchanaburi Thailand-Burma Railway Centre.
Following this we went to the Bridge over River Kwai. The road was very busy so we were asked if we would mind walking the rest of the way (which was not far at all). We are so glad that we said yes because we were able to try another new food. What was better than that was the leopard on the side of the road (which was there advertising a zoo). We paid to nurse it and have photos with it.
We then had the choice to have lunch there or travel further and then stop. We chose to have lunch at the River and it was a beautiful meal! (The service was slower than we would have hoped given how much we had to fit into the one day.)
We stopped for a few minutes to feed the monkeys Nang suggested that to give the monkeys water as all people seem to do is feed them, on our way to our next destination, which was bathing with an elephant. There we were splashed, dropped into the water and taught to climb and sit on the elephants trunk. It was a great experience!
Throughout the entire trip, Nang could not have explained things in more detail or have been more helpful. Her knowledge is extremely thorough and her english is excellent!
Both Nang and our driver Rod were very kind to us throughout the day.
We were then dropped back at our hotel at 7.15pm.
Elyse Sharon & Ed
Adelaide, Australia.
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My husband and I just returned from a 32 day trip to Asia which included a 3 night stay in Bangkok, Thailand. We had an amazing experience there because of the tour company we used. TourWithTong is owned and operated by a woman named Tong - truly a woman of heart and compassion. She is passionate about making sure her customers have memorable experiences while touring with her company. Her employees are fantastic - knowledgeable, pleasant and very accommodating.
We used the services of her staff as well as Tong herself for our tours. Tong wants people to be able to afford her tours and have the opportunity to see her beloved country.
Therefore, her prices are very very fair and the selection of tours is wonderful. Also, Tong will customize sightseeing according to her client's needs and wishes. Her touring vehicles are roomy and comfortable, as well. But most of all, after touring with Tong and her staff, you will realize what an amazing experience you have had.
We will cherish our time in Bangkok because of the remarkable tours we experienced with TourWithTong. Thank you Tong!
Sara and Larry
February 2010
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My Fiance and i have just returned from our holiday in Bangkok and Koh Samui. During our 3 days in Bangkok we did a Tour via Tong'sTours and i thought it would be nice to share our thoughts on the forum.
Firstly i know a few travellers have had issue's in contacting Tong and confirming details etc. Personally i had no issues whatsoever during the whole process. There may have been some time wiating for reply's, but i found this no issue at all. Also it was very easy to contact Tong while in Bangkok to confirm pick up etc. My advice is to have patience - as the tours are truely worth it!
Itinerary:
- Salt Farms and Shrimp Farms.
- Train Market
- Floating market
- Royal Thai Handicraft
- Tiger Temple.
- Late lunch in a local restaurant.
- Feeding wild monkeys.
- Elephant bath.
- The Bridge Over the River Kwai.
- Back to bangkok.
Our tour guide for the day was Kung and her driver.
The sights we had arranged to see on our tour were all fabulous, but Kung completed the day, as her knowledge was excellent. However, her friendliness and all round personality was the highlight. Kung is a credit to Tong's team.
A quick summary of the hightlights of our tour.
Train Market was an excellent experience. As being taken through the market and looking at all the stalls with the Thai food was fantastic. Kung ensured to explain a variety of the foods on the market and how they are used in Thai cooking. We also were able to wait for the train to come through the market, which was a quite unbelievable experience.
Floating Markets. An amazing experience, i thought the M25 got busy in rush hour!! We took a paddle boat through the markets. Kung had us taken round the quieter rivers also and showed where and how the Thai people live there. We were also able to enjoy some wonderful Chicken Noodle Soup from one of the food boats. Nice and Spicy also!
Tiger Temple. A very surreal experience! We were able to stroke probably within the region of 12 tigers. Kung ensured each time we were at the front of the queue for the pictures and time with the tigers. Kung also managed to get us to walk with the largest tiger when going through the valley, which we were grateful for, unless he decided to use us a scratching post!!! We managed to get some fantastic pictures of this time with the tigers.
Local Resturants - A welcome break for some excellent Thai food and a cold beer! Kung took us to a wonderful resturant and we got her to recommend some dishes - all of which were wonderful.
Elephant Bath. The whole day was brilliant, but for us this was the ultimate highlight. Kung had rung ahead and ensured we would have the bath and elephant ride with 'Full Moon'. Full Moon is a slightly smaller elephant, so we was able to sit on her back, without the need for a seat. Also in Kungs words "a little bit naughty", which meant she liked to play. This made the whole experience utterly brilliant, as when we were in the river having the bath with Full Moon, it was fantastic sitting on her back and have her splash copious amount of water over us! It was also very funny when she decided to go in the bushes for a feed. The whole time with Full Moon, felt natural.
The day was a long day, but it was a day we will never forget. Every part of the day was brilliant and it was made better by Kung and our driver. Plus all the people we met and the different attractions. We can not recommend the Tours more highly and when we return to Bangkok we will be booking a tour again and i think some of the attractions above again also. Superb day.
Thanks
Richard Waters
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We were in Bangkok for 2 short days on a cruise ship. We had heard great things about Tong, but she was already booked with another group from our ship so we had Kung as our guide. She was an absolute delight. The ship had changed our itinerary and we didn't have as much time in Bangkok as we had hoped. Kung was able to fit in everything we wanted to see. We met her at 2 p.m. and we went to the Grand Palace and Wat Pho. Her knowledge of the attractions was great. We then had a boat ride through the canals and also went to the Suan Lum Night Bazaar.
The next morning she met us at 7 and we drove to the floating market. On the way we stopped at the salt plains. It was an interesting drive through the countryside. The floating market was a colorful beehive of activity. She had our boat go further up the river where the tourists usually don't go to see how the people live.
We were very pleased that Kung was able to fit in the things we wanted to see in the amount of time we had. We felt fortunate to have her as our guide. She is full of knowledge of the culture, has a great sense of humor, and is so much fun to be with.
Dick and Bev Boyle
Tigard, Oregon
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We were 4 couples from Canada and we booked Tong for 2 days in Bangkok while on the Azamara Quest on January 26 and 27. I made the arrangements for our tours. My friend recommended Tong as the only choice and I trust her judgment. Tong was the tour. There is no point going to Bangkok if you can't book Tong. She is very knowledgeable, organized, funny, clever and approachable. She is constantly focussed on her role as your guide - she will keep you informed and will try to fit in the most number of sites to see given the traffic and your energy level. When I think of Tong I just envision the Everready bunny - constantly moving forward and never slowing down - and she is a lot better looking than the silly bunny.
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Our family of 5 (my husband and I, our children ages 7 and 11, and my 70 year old mother) spent almost two weeks in Tokyo and Bangkok and by far, our very best day was with Tong on her floating market and fishing village tour. Really, it is hard to describe without using superlative after superlative. It was one of those days that not one of us will ever forget - from the unbelievable food we bought from the boats on the canals at the floating market (where there wasn't a tourist in sight), to the excitement of the railroad market, to feeding wild monkeys and having lunch at a fisherman's house on the Bay of Bangkok - really just amazing. We also had another guide of Tong's (Pock) give us a tour of the major sites in Bangkok and she too was wonderful. It was clear very quickly to us that Tong could expand her business exponentially and make quite a nice living for herself. But though she would lose some quality in the process, frankly, most people would be none the wiser. But that just isn't who she is. She genuinely cares about the experience you have with her and takes her responsibility as a ambassador for Thailand very seriously. She has set the bar so high for any other guide in any other country. We just think the world of her and her company!
Andrea Link
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