River Kwai Special Travel

[beerboy 40]

Just returned from an overnight trip to the River Kwai organised by this outfit.

 

Two friends have never travelled outside Pattaya, so i thought a trip to the River Kwai would show them a bit more of Thailand. This Company claim to specialise in this area. We booked a tour that included the main historical sites, and spent the night on a floating hotel in the National Park.

 

After being picked up at 05.30 we soon discovered that we were not the only ones on the tour as promised, but part of a full minibus. No courier to explain anything, but we soon discovered that the Company had combined 4 tours into one trip ! Great.

 

When we got to Kanchanaburi a guide finally joined us, but had little idea as to what was happening, itineries being constantly changed. When told that we were staying in a Guest House in the town, he admitted that the Floating Hotel was FULL !

 

Sure we got to see the main sites, but overall it was a shambles. Despite leaving nearly 2 hours late, on a changed schedule, fot the return leg, the driver stopped after an hour so HE could get something to eat.

 

This Company are a joke - BEWARE?

[pattysteve 34]

We will absolutely be aware,after you have named and shamed.

[MM 6,562]

We will absolutely be aware,after you have named and shamed.

 

I'm gonna guess that the name is the title. Is that right, OP?

 

[N3RGT 118]

We will absolutely be aware,after you have named and shamed.

 

I would hazard a guess that the company name is in fact "River Kwai Special Travel" as in the heading of the post !

[beerboy 40]

the company name is River Kwai Special Travel based at 285/104 Naklua Soi 16

[MM 6,562]

Q.E.D.

[teelack 9,650]

So sad. I went on a similar tour and it was terrific. Great food, great accomodation and a saw so much including a trip on the train, out to the national park, Erwan I think its called, plus time out day and night in Kanchannaburi and some of the best value I have had in Thailand. I dont know who I went with but do recommend the trip.

[jacko 8,827]

I did it myself, well went with the TGF. Armed with one of those books from TAT that lists all the hotels and guest houses. Stayed in a reasonable hotel in the City. Took the regular bus from Pattaya to the Southern Bangkok Station, but coming back we took a longer journey looping round to Moechit.

These organised minibus trips are rarely very good. They like to pack them full, and of course they are done on the cheap.

My natural aversion to paying up-front in Thailand made me go myself, but of course the TGF's language abilities were a necessity. It is a good interesting trip though.

[teelack 9,650]

...and I had the opposite experience. Was offered floating or laand based hotel. Took land base and it was fine with pool etc. Meals were communal and we were picked up and dropped off wherever we were needed and people that stayed in the Floating Hotel were also happy with their choice. All the costs ike train, park entry and meals were handleed by organisers as well as accommodation. As a bonus we got the Floating Market trip as well as some stops at caerving factories. I feel sure I could have not done most of this were I travelling on public transport.