2 Weeks in BKK/Southern Thailand...any suggestions?
Replies: 14 - Last Post: Jul 17, 2012 6:13 AM Last Post By: dogeatinghotchips
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2 Weeks in BKK/Southern Thailand...any suggestions?
My focus is going to be Bangkok and Krabi/Railay/Koh Phi Phi.Notes: I'm a photographer, so am always looking for sights that I can't see anywhere else (landscapes, culture, people, etc). I also adore animals, so the more I can see and/or safely interact with them, the better.
The only things I KNOW I want to do:
BKK:
1) Tiger Temple and Elephant Village
2) Market exploration (floating, train, etc)
3) Temple/buddha sites (yeah I know, touristy)
I expected I can do that in 3 days or so, and am happy to wander the other 4ish days.
Krabi/Railay/Koh Phi Phi:
1) Koh Phi Phi (have to see them)
2) Scuba (entry level)
3) Rock climbing & Cliff jumping
4) Relaxing (is there a nearby quiet beach in peak season?)
Any other suggestions for unique experiences or locales? I'm all for off the beaten path ideas, but don't have some crazy desire just to stick it to the mainstream.
Thanks!
1
Definitely take the train from Bangkok when you go south...dont fly - just get a first class sleeper. Old Trains andBangkok station are a great photo op and you basically just see some country side, get some sleep, and wake up in the islands. Its like 20.00 and easy to do. Saves you hotel costs for a night too. And you can get drinks on the train..2
oooh I like the sound of that. Do trains go direct to Krabi? I was hoping to avoid the weird train/ferry/bus/minivan combo hoops I'd have to jump through if I did something similar through Phuket to Krabi.4
You really think the tigers at Tiger Temple are that mistreated? From the videos I've seen, the monks truly respect the creatures and treat them like pets. And the doping up...is that for when tourists are around, or what? Just curious at this point, still plan on making a visit.And to the squalor...extrapolate.
6
Head out to Kanchanburi for a couple of days, nice scenery and waterfalls, old railway, scenery etc. A million miles from Bangkok only 2.5hrs ride away. I'd give the Tiger temple a miss, I went a few years ago and saw the monks round the back playing on their I phones and smoking cigarettes, that, coupled with hordes of tourists queuing up, put me off I left never to return. The rest of that area is great though!7
Ehhh that seems a bit too much like a zoo, honestly. And most of those animals aren't even native/common in Thailand, right? Seeing animals in the wild is obviously ideal, but pretty difficult I'm sure.I'm open to suggestions outside of animal watching/photographing too, by the way :)
As far as photography is concerned, I'm looking to shoot anything and everything (I predominately photograph people back home).
Any hot spots in the city or islands that aren't in the guide books?
Edit: Great advice, Sir Dog (eater of chips)! Will definitely look into that.
8
Ayuthaya, is only a short train ride away and possible in a day, hire a bike and see some temples, they're all concentrated in a small area.Unfortunately most of the hotspots are in the guide books because they are just that and therefore people want to see them. Unfortunately if someone has found a great spot with no tourists they are unlikely to divulge its location on a public forum which is read by just the people who are likely to go and visit it and detract from its original beauty, authenticity, peace, isolation etc. If you find such a place you'll know what I mean.
9
you can also try the chao praya river cruise in bkk ! you can get great shots of the city and temples from the cruise as well ...the safari world has the animals which seems more like the zoo , but there is safari tour as well which takes you between the animals , they are in the wild and there is nuthing between you and them except for that you are sitting inside the car/van/jeep..... there were many animals ,but in general quite good ..,,,
Edited by: nyk_1981
10
As for the train to Krabi, not his is not possible. The closest train station to Krabi is in Trang, which is perhaps three hours by minivan to Krabi town. There are some spectacular islands in Trang that are worth visiting, and the entire province is pretty untouched by tourism so lots of beautiful things to see and take photos of.You can also go via Nakhon Si Thammaret. There are some great temples to visit there.
11
#2 Do trains go direct to Krabi?Try looking at a map!
No, they don't!
#8 they are unlikely to divulge its location on a public forum which is read by just the people who are likely to go and visit it and detract from its original beauty
Hopefully they will keep mum. Too many great places in Thailand already ruined by the flashpacker crowd that don't even care about the places they are staying at.
12
Would it be a good idea to take a BKK train straight to the Trang province then, and relax for a few days on quieter beaches before going to Krabi/Railay/Phi Phi?Again, I'm NOT going to for partying, just for:
1) Interesting/exotic looking beaches to photograph (cliffs are awesome, lagoon type places are awesome)
2) Rock climbing/cliff jumping
3) The best snorkeling/beginner scuba
