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Post by Deleted on May 14, 2015 2:24:45 GMT 7
A family member has booked a cruise from Singapore to Thailand, then on to Cams/Vietnam and back. Have any of you ever been on a cruise in SE Asia?
The Thai section involves being tendered into Koh Samui, and two days at Bangkok, Laem Chabang. Where is Laem Chabang in relation to the Grand Palace? |
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curtaintwitcher
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Post by curtaintwitcher on May 14, 2015 6:35:48 GMT 7
Friends recently took a cruise from Singapore to various stops in SEA. They docked at Laem Chabang and were bused to bkk where I met them for lunch. Around 3pm they were bused back to the ship and sailed off into the night. They were satisfied with the arrangements, enjoyed the cruise and are thinking of taking a more extended one that will include Indonesia. For me, not much in this world would be more abhorrent than being trapped on a ship with passengers not of my own choosing: l'enfer, c'est les autres.
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songhua
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Post by songhua on May 14, 2015 9:44:46 GMT 7
Laem Chabang is halfway between Chonburi City and Pattaya. An hour and a bit to airport or Sukhumvit (time to GP would depend on traffic)
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Morakot
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Post by Morakot on May 14, 2015 12:49:19 GMT 7
Laem Chabang is halfway between Chonburi City and Pattaya. An hour and a bit to airport or Sukhumvit (time to GP would depend on traffic) Yes and it's a massive container port.  |
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curtaintwitcher
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Post by curtaintwitcher on May 14, 2015 13:16:58 GMT 7
just the place for a cruise stop
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Post by Soutpeel on May 14, 2015 14:01:29 GMT 7
just the place for a cruise stop Problem is Thailand doesn't have too many deep water ports to park a cruise ship so they are somewhat limited where they come into, and I think laem Chabang is the deepest commercial water they got, they could park up at Sattahip port as that's deep water, but also a naval base, so the Thai military will not want hundreds of tourist wondering around that port |
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Morakot
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Post by Morakot on May 14, 2015 14:45:06 GMT 7
just the place for a cruise stop Problem is Thailand doesn't have too many deep water ports to park a cruise ship so they are somewhat limited where they come into, and I think laem Chabang is the deepest commercial water they got, they could park up at Sattahip port as that's deep water, but also a naval base, so the Thai military will not want hundreds of tourist wondering around that port Sattahip has actually some deeper quays than Leam Chabang. Port of Bangkok is only 8.5m deep so QM2 couldn't dock there. In fairness Laem Chabang is probably the "best". Apparently it has a dedicated cruise terminal, which none of the others in the North do.  |
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Post by Deleted on May 14, 2015 18:56:03 GMT 7
I'll suggest my family stays one night in Bangkok ( the itinerary shows a two day stop at Leam Chabang ). Better that than being bussed up and down twice.
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Post by Deleted on May 15, 2015 2:08:01 GMT 7
I would be interested in a Mekong cruise but preferably in the North. Chiang Mai, Bueng Kan, Nong Khai... Is there such a thing? Has anyone done one. I saw on the news a few weeks back about a Mekong cruise that sunk in the SE and killed a ferang lady. Scary. I have seen how fast it can flow.
There's two options. There's the executive option that's way overpriced, and the discount option which is laughably cheap. From Thailand, you can pick up a passenger barge from Chiang Saen , about an hour outside Chiang Rai, and that will take you down to Chiang Khong. From there you need to cross the river into Laos and pick up the boat that takes you down to Luang Prabang via Pak Beng.
I've done that leg on the cheap option. Here's a rough itinerary -
1800 baht -
Day One
Collection by minibus from Chiang Mai, transport to Chiang Khong via the White Temple.
One night in Chiang Khong, fan room, shared WC - and evening meal ( included in the price ).
The hotel takes care of your Laos visa - 1200 baht.
Day Two
Morning, breakfast and packed lunch ( included in price ) transport to immigration, river crossing and transport to the barge that takes you down to LP.
Six hours sailing - amazing scenery.
One night in Pak Beng - you pay for the room. Hotel touts will be will be waiting for you. Shared dorm 200 baht, AC room 600 baht - the touts will transport you to the hotel and back again within those prices.
Day Three
Six hours sailing to Luang Prabang. You'll be dropped off about five miles out of town ( Laos tuk tuk scam, you are supposed to be dropped in the town itself. )
Tuk tuk into town, around 20,000 kip.
Expect to pay between 400 - 600 baht per night for a decent AC room.
You can't sail from LP to Vientiane. Here's some photos starting with The Golden Triangle
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Post by Deleted on May 15, 2015 2:14:04 GMT 7
The boat
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Post by Deleted on May 15, 2015 2:14:55 GMT 7
The river
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Post by Deleted on May 15, 2015 2:19:37 GMT 7
Luang Prabang & Kuang Si Waterall, by LP
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Post by Deleted on May 15, 2015 2:22:40 GMT 7
Kuang Si Waterfall and Pak Ou Cave
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