Public Transportation

Don't worry about spending tons of money in Thailand.  With kids just take public transportation for a day of fun on the town.  Street food for snacks, lots of water and an Ergo can make for a heart healthy GREAT day.  Tuk-tuks are okay for a short fun ride and then plan to sungtau it (colors of the tops suggest the routes), train it, boat it and work it!  

Though I love the open crazy speed of the sung taus (spelling?) the boats were the kid's favorite.  Kids of all ages loved zooming under low lying bridges and watching the fare collectors walk precariously along the edges.  The boats were full of tourists and locals all in a happy boat floating adventure that I enjoyed till my friend told me the posted number limit that boats were supposed to carry......we were over by at least double.  Oh well.  Getting in and out in a skirt was not ideal either.  At one dock the boat swung out while people were boarding causing some squeals.  I just held my breathe and jumped.  I did not particularly want to end up in the water.

The big river boats are even funner and a great way to see sights along the river.  However it is best to pick them up at the farthest south port to catch a seat and a ride.  At rush hour along the normal routes these super cheap boat rides not only hit huge wake but they also are jam packed.  This was a bit of a bummer with littles but once we started whizzing across the water there was no complaints.