I had the most amazing time in Thailand in 2005!! I warmly recommand it!! the people there are really lovely!
I went around the whole country, and really liked the North, but going there for a short time would entail flying so makes the trip more expensive... you see what you think!
In Bangkok it's definitely worth staying at Reflections Rooms; kind of a Thai artists meeting place. Google it on the net (the website is not very nice, but check the "more info from media" section)!
I loved Krabi too. Cannot remember the name of the place where we stayed but we had a whole huge beach for just a couple of us... amazing!! It was outside of the town itself.
Actually I went there because one of my friends set up a small travel agency there. You probably don't want to go through them, but just checking their website can give you some ideas: www.thailandeautrement.com (hum... it's only in French though, so not sure it's very useful...)
You can obviously email me if you want to know more! enjoy your trip anyway!
anniee, Jul 9, 2007 @ 23:02

consult with me rite away BBW!:_(

jk aside...i thnk sep is still rainy season so jus b aware of that in terms of ur plans.

all the beaches u mention r kul...sori i cannot reco any places 2 sleep tho.

as for ur 2 days in bkk, i will send u a separate email ; )


Tigger, Jul 10, 2007 @ 00:36

Thanks alot for taking the time to post the info guys.

Its much appreciated, and I will email you to get more info about the stuff you posted.

Oded
SiteAdmin Oded, Jul 12, 2007 @ 00:27

Before I answer this question you need to ggive us more information :-). What do you like to do in your holidays? Do you want to stay in one place or travel, do you like backpacking or are you more the package-type of tourist? Do you like hills or the sea? Do you enjoy beaches or do you get bored after half a day? Would you consider visiting one of the neighbouring countries as well?
Timol, Jul 12, 2007 @ 11:04

Hi Timol and thanks for replying.

We will be in Thailand for 3 weeks, and so we want to find a good ballance where we can see a few different places, but are not spending too much time in transit between them.

We both prefer beautiful relaxing beaches to treks in the wilderness, and we want to stay in islands which are not too packed, but also not too isolated.

I know it seems a bit vague, so any advice welcomed.

Thanks

Oded
SiteAdmin Oded, Jul 12, 2007 @ 17:45

If you stick to the islands you will miss out on so much more to what Thailand is.....I would really recommend Kanchanburi (Bridge over River Kwai, great national parks and waterfalls to visit). And also Chiang Mai. With 3 weeks you've still got plenty of time to go to some islands

You couldn't go wrong with a 3 week trip like this:

-3 or 4 days in Bangkok (great city)
-4 days in Kanchanaburi and/or Chiang Mai
-The either fly to Phuket (west thailand) or Koh Samui (east) for a few islands.

If you go to Phuket then you've got the biggest island with some very developed resorts (Patong) to some very queit ones (Kata). You can then also go to PhiPhi (where they filmed the film The Beach).

If you go to Samui, its a bit like a smaller Phuket, with some developed areas and some less so. Stay there a few days and then you can head to Koh Phangnan (quieter, more backpacker orientated) and Koh Tao (beautiful small island known for its great diving).

If you try to go to both the Phuket and Samui sides of thailand in addition to BKK and maybe another inland place then you may be pushing it for time and never feel relaxed- remember there's always a next time- and once you've been I reckon you'll want to go back!
hully, Jul 14, 2007 @ 14:21

Hi Oded

I am delightedly to share some info while I am in Thailand for summer holidays now. I will skip Bangkok and other major destinations and focus on Phuket, perl of the Andaman. It is good that you are coming to Thailand on September. From Phuket by ferry, it is only 1.5 hours to KPP, 4 hours to Karibi where your friends recommended to you which are certainly good destinations to visit in Thailand.

September is in low season which means less touristy and cheaper. It is raining seasons(June to Sept) but it has not rained that much since I’ve arrived and mostly are afternoon showers/tropical storm which actually cool the temperature down and make nights comfortably.

If you like good white sandy beaches, snorkeling, eco-adventure, terrking(ridding on the back of elephant, or simply hike by foot), island hoping(Phuket island is surrounded by many beautiful islets where you can take speed boat/cruise to go there, and stay for a day to two in island like Phi Phi Island, really beautiful but also a big party island at night!

You can also like jungle safari, white waters, scuba diving...wind and kites surfing, Phuket is certainly a good place to visit for 5 days to a week. Stay away from those famous beaches like Patong, Kata, Karan beaches if you are looking for a quiet vacation. On the contrary, If want to explore night life fully in Phuket then you should stay close to those areas where offer vibrant island night life. This way, you do not need to concern going back to hotel after drinking too much. I try my best to stay away these notorious touristy beaches and resorts/hotels nearby. Let me know if you like the famous Patong crescent beach when you get here.

There are plenty of terrific beaches in this island. My advice is to stay away those famous ones and find a quite beach just for you and your girlfriend. The one I have been hanging out is called Nai Yang Beach, it is a kite/wind surfing beach….fascinating to see giant kite pulling kiters into sky. You still get a sense of local fish village life look like in this area….and food is cheater than famous ones

I will be Thailand for another week or more. Let me know if you need any more specific information . I am happy to be a bit helpful providing information to our Admins while I am here. You certainly deserve a good vacation :-).

Thailand is not a country you can explore thoroughly in one single trip…It is a place you would like to enjoy and revisit, and still be surprised by what it has to offer....

wayne, Jul 15, 2007 @ 08:03

In Phuket, you can rent a car (700-800 Bahts) or a motorbike for 250-300 bahts (USD 8) per day. Driving seat is on the right like in the UK. Driving culture is a bit free style, traffic rules are not strictly obeyed. Be careful. I take local public transportations and rent a motorbike in particular days I need to move around in the island. Local transportations are actually convenient, cheap and fun to ride with. It connects major towns/beaches. Song-Teaw, local bus, bigger than Tuk Tuk(assemble little truck kind of taxi, you see them everywhere in Bangkok), less than 1CHF take you between towns swiftly. Just hop in and pay when you hop off. However, local bus stops running at 6:00 which limits largely its usage by tourists. You can still get private taxi at night.

Food and eatery
I recommend dining sometimes in small local eateries instead of restaurants designated for tourists. If you are familiar with Thai food, just try to remember 5-10 major Thai dishs, like rice noodles dishes, Pat Thai, Pat Kee Mow, rice dishes Pat Kra PowPhat Phet in Thai, write them down, or download a simple standard Thai-English bilingual menu from the Internet. Try to also know how to say chicken, seafood, shrimp, pork and vegetarian etc or whatever you like in Thai. Drinks, like beers or coke and fruits shakes drinks in Thai…then you are more than capable of ordering food from those non English speaking Thai local eateries and explore what local small eateries have to offer. They are cheap and so much fun to dine with. I just had a veggie Pat Kee Mow and a drink for 60 Bahts in a tiny eatery,(less than 2 USD and the Thai lady cook still wanted to give me back some changes which I smiley expressed no need. Local small eateries are at least 50%-70% cheaper than those restaurant designated to attract tourists. Nevertheless, if you crave for food you are familiar with, you would have to go to those tourism restaurants.

Accommodation
Phuket, as a world famous tourism destination offers plenty of accommodations from high-end exclusive resorts to budget hostel and guest houses.

For those high-end resorts, I assume there are some special offers during low seasons (July to Oct). For instance, Sawadee village, a boutique hotel near Kata beach offers 2,700 Bahts(about 80 USD) in low seasons. http://phuketdelight.com/sawadee_village.htm. If a luxury place is what you are looking for to impresse your girlfrined, you can check with travel agencies specialized in SEA and book from to their websites directly.

Many private lodges/guesthouses in Phuket are nice, clean and provide great atmosphere. I am staying in a beautiful quiet guest house called Shanty Lodge in Chalong. http://www.shantilodge.com/phuket/index.html. It is not by the beach (take 10 mins motorbikes/drive to beaches and a bit far from famous beaches and far down south. But this place offers a free and home-style atmosphere. I pay 650 bahts (around 20 USD) per day for a room with a little gardenesque half-opened bathroom. The room is a bit small but nice and clean. There is a cozy livingroom/reception area and a nice swimming pool where you can chill out if you have too much white sandy beach. You probably do not need air-con room(750Bahts), a fan is good enough since in the Andaman seasonal wind breezes nicely at night….You can just walk in to the bar and make your own drinks just write down whatever you have. I am taking advantage of this home-style atmosphere and learning simple Thai cuisine from chef here.

wayne, Jul 15, 2007 @ 09:43

Thanks again guys (nt)
SiteAdmin Oded, Jul 15, 2007 @ 20:10

Hi Oded
Re: Your questions.

From Phuket to Koh Samui, by flight is an hour. You can book from BangkokAir http://www.bangkokair.com/. By bus, 4 hours from Phuket town to Surat Thani and then 2 hours to Koh Samui by boat. I post it here so other fellows might be able to add or correct the information above. The bus and boat trip to Koh Samui, I was told by a local kite suing friend. I did not do this myself.

Koh Samui and Koh Phangan are not too far from each other. Should have speed boats operating between two islands. FYI, on July 31th, Koh Phangan is going to have the famous Koh Phangan Full Moon Party. Never been to but heard many people I have met in the trip are going there…totally will have more than 20 thousands people. Sounds like Asian version of Cancun, Mexico. Cheers. Wayne



wayne, Jul 17, 2007 @ 18:42

Koh Phi Phi - Phi Phi Island Village (lovely place)
http://www.ppisland.com/index.htm

Phuket (a bit away from the chaos of Patong but near enuff to take a tuktuk and enjoy the sights and sounds when u feel like it)
Baan Yin Dee
http://www.baanyindee.com/

Koh Samui
The Library - didn't stay there but ate there - very nice!
http://www.thelibrary.name/index.html

For more family oriented stay on Koh Samui (nice place if u have kids - excellent service!)
Amari Palm Reef

tweety, Jul 18, 2007 @ 14:01

Tweety - I checked out the Library.

Seems very nice, but $400 per night is a bit over my budget...

If anyone has some cheaper suggestions, please let me know.

Thanks

Oded
SiteAdmin Oded, Jul 23, 2007 @ 13:26

Keep in mind that prices for accomodation on Samui are easily two or three times what they are on Kho Phan Ngan.
Timol, Jul 23, 2007 @ 15:56

that post from Timol is bollox......you can places on Samui easily as cheap as Koh Phangnan
hully, Jul 25, 2007 @ 01:13

I have stayed here in Lamai a couple of times.....great place, only 800 baht a night in low season

(Lamai is slightly quieter than Chaweng......better beaches etc......)

http://www.visitresort.com/
hully, Jul 25, 2007 @ 01:15

I got some great replies, and will let you know how the vacation turns out.

Have a great weekend

Oded
SiteAdmin Oded, Aug 10, 2007 @ 13:43