Bangkok and Chiang Mai On a Rope. Larry Stein

of which are along the Chao Phraya River, and exquisite shopping and eating throughout the city. Public transportation is the key. The prime location is near both a pier for riverboats and a skytrain station. Bangkok is also an example of balancing which may argue against the best location.

      Great value, or an exceptional hotel might overshadow the best location. Price isn't only a dollar amount for participants in the Starwood or Marriot programs, points can be as important. The 5 star Sheraton Royal Orchid hotel offered well equipped river view rooms for less than 4,000 points per night. In Europe or the States, that might get you a 2 star hotel. The location was close to a public river ferry pier. Although not close to the Skytrain, there is a complimentary river shuttle to a station.

      In the chapters to follow I will explain the rationale behind each hotel choice.

      Cell Phones

      Can you hear me now? The answer in Thailand is no. Verizon and Sprint use a network called CDMA. It isn't available in those countries. You are in luck if you have an unlocked T Mobile or AT&T phone. The GSM that those phones use is the world standard. But if you are with Verizon or Sprint, check the specs on you phone. Most of the newer smart phones are global ready meaning they work with GSM as well as CDMA.

      If you have an unlocked GSM phone, you can buy a replacement SIM card to work on the network of one of the providers in the country you are visiting. You need a new SIM card for each country. The card usually costs about 5 dollars and includes prepaid minutes in excess of that amount. Rates vary, but calling the US is usually about 5 cents per minute. Your phone must work on the correct bands, usually 900 and 1800, and perhaps 2100 for 3G. A typical quad band phone will have you covered.

      For data transfer and Internet, I have only used WIFI, which is widely available. But most companies offer data plans. Your Verizon or Sprint smart phone, will work fine with WIFI.