1

I would choose Koh Pha ngan (KPN) over Bangkok or Chiang mai anyday. On KPN we stay on thong nai pan yai ( not noi.) A long white sand swimming beach. We stay at "candlehuts" in their wooden bungalows that are on the beach facing the sea. They have aircon (which you don't really need on the beach) a fridge, furniture, bacony complete with hammock, hot water and a pool if you don't want to swim in the beautiful sea. They are 1300 bt. a night and come with breakfast. Or you could stay next door at " Dreamland" for 600bt. fan bungalow. Nice clean bungalows with verandah, basic furniture in a garden setting.I think the bathroom is cold water only . Again there is no great need for hot water as it is hot enough anyway. If you decide to stay in a city, I would choose Chiang mai over Bangkok. We stay at "Chiang mai Thai House." Set in a quiet Soi (laneway) with the restaurant overlooking it. It has a pool,furniture,hot water, wifi, also computers for guest use. The air con rooms are 700bt. and the fan rooms are between 300-400 bt. You may be able to negotiate a cheaper deal with all of these if you are staying 3 or 4 weeks. Don't try and book Chiang mai Thai House via their website, absolutely hopeless. Email them direct and they will get back to you quickly. You can also bargain via email.

2

They are 1300 bt. a night
Moi, you must have missed the bit where the OP requests "inexpensive"!

OP, loads of cheap places 300 baht and less in the old city. Just go and look around. What I like might not be to your taste.

3

Hi
If you don't want to do activities much like shopping , many crowds , don't like traffic jam, but you like beach activities , snorkeling , scuba diving , fishing , small party. island would suit you but I don't know if you will stay 3-4 weeks on Koh Phangan ,this is not too long for you? because it's small island. =)
If you want to change your mind Chiang Mai will be good for stay.
come to visit Bangkok 2 - 3 days for shopping ? :P

4

Apartments don't generally go for short-term stays. Just get a guesthouse room, which there are thousands of in Bangkok and Chiang Mai, and ask for a weeky rate. Aircon rooms start at around 500 baht/day or maybe you can find somewhere for 2000 baht/week.

5

They have aircon (which you don't really need on the beach) a fridge,

I never understood this idea that you didn't need aircon at the beach. I've always found the beach hut style accommodation to get insanely hot to the point that aircon was an absolute must.

you must have missed the bit where the OP requests "inexpensive"!

Depends on your budget really doesn't it? To some people 1300 baht per night is extremely cheap, to a cheapo backpacker it's more than they want to spend in a week.

6

^^ Depends on your budget really doesn't it?
When someone asks for inexpensive furnished apartment or cheap & clean guesthouse I'd bet that they aren't thinking above the 500 baht level.
However, we can leave it to the OP to define what they mean by inexpensive, if they bother to contribute to their own thread.

I never understood this idea that you didn't need aircon at the beach
Hopefully, there are lots like you, so the beaches I like will never get overpopulated and ruined!

7

I'd never go to those beaches you like, I hate beaches with nothing to do and no / little infrastructure. Beaches are boring for me.

8

Thanks for the recos