where to go? overwhelmed....

Replies: 8 - Last Post: 30-Oct-2007 18:23 Last Post By: SimilanDiver

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snarkycat

29-Oct-2007 20:01
Posts: 40

where to go? overwhelmed....

hey all,

planning a month long trip to SE asia, two weeks thailand, two weeks vietnam.
going to be in thailand from 18 dec to 02 january with my friend. i am checking out this thread and checking out the LP thailand and thailand's islands and beaches books and can't decide where to go; i hear so many different things - koh phi phi (too touristy) phuket (ruined), etc....

we want to hit beaches, want to stay about 3 - 4 days per place. NOT interested in the full moon party/rave scene. interested in physical activities and laying around on the beach, grabbing a drink and a bite to eat. super chill... not luxury style, more laid back, ideally about $25 - $50/day max.

do you have suggestions? we're open to pretty much anything, my concern is about the time of year (high tourist season) so i want to book places asap (esp. around christmas and new years).

thanks for helping out this SE asia newbie!

igor_b

29-Oct-2007 20:09
Posts: 945

Buy a plane ticket and come on over!

Igor The Troll travel blog

tezza

29-Oct-2007 20:57
Posts: 7,978

How 'bout an island hop - concentrating on more laid back islands?

You could start out of Krabi with Ko Jum, then go down to Lanta and stay on one of the quieter southern beaches, then jump on the daytrip boat and jump off at say Ko Ngai or Kradan or Muk.
Or if you fly into Phuket, you could start with Ko Yao Noi and then move on to Jum etc.
Or you could start at Trang and do Ko Libong, then move on to Sukorn and if time is left, move down to Bulon Lae/Lipe or even Taratao.

Whoa! There must be a dozen islands there and you are asking about simplifying choice!
But the point is, figure out where you want to start your island trip and then take the particular combo I've suggested to cut travelling time.
I have a fair bit about all these places including transport and some accommodation info in the second link below - except for Taratao.

Beaches and Islands Info
Wet Season Info
Some Tips on Not Drowning

dougdo

29-Oct-2007 23:15
Posts: 94

Thanks for the info Tezza.

I'm flying into Phuket so I was looking at your suggestion of Ko Yao Noi to Ko Jum (Jam?) then Ko Lanta. But I can't see that's there's direct transport between Ko Yao Noi and Ko Jum -- or is it just not mentioned in the guidebook but exists? (for a reasonable price...)

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dominic77

29-Oct-2007 23:15
Posts: 4,871

If you find yourself on the Gulf side, Ko Tao and Ko Pha Ngan (away from Hat Rin) both have the sort of scene I think you are looking for.

NW Thailand Motorcycle Trips, June 2008 and January 2009

SimilanDiver

29-Oct-2007 23:40
Posts: 370

I imagine Khao Lak is an option too. Sadly, no parties or "karaoke bars" or "massage" parlors. Just a quiet family town with 40km of beaches.

Similan Diving
Similan Liveaboard

tezza

30-Oct-2007 03:47
Posts: 7,978

Nope, no direct transport. You need to catch the 0730 morning ferry out of Yao Noi to Ao Thalen, then the songthaew into Krabi, then the Lanta ferry, bailing out at Jum (Jam).
Some girls on my songthaew were going to Lanta - when the songthaew arrived at the Krabi bus station which is about 4 km out of Krabi town, a lady came out of the travel agency and offered them tickets and a free ride to the pier which is actually about 4 km the other side of Krai town. This saved them lots of mucking around in Krabi town and some time. The lady guaranteed they would make the morning ferry, and they had time from there. Her ticket prices were fair. I have always found these sorts of things work well.
ferry timetable

Beaches and Islands Info
Wet Season Info
Some Tips on Not Drowning

snarkycat

30-Oct-2007 09:27
Posts: 40

thank you!!!!

i'm looking into your suggestions right now and am checking out your site. much appreicated!

one last question, is there an inter-country airline that does something like bkk to phuket (we fly into bangkok) on the cheap? i've found thai air but am thinking maybe there's something else?

SimilanDiver

30-Oct-2007 18:23
Posts: 370

There several airlines - most notably Air Asia. But also Nok Air and One Two Go. You can save money booking ahead, but they save many of the seats on the plane for counter sales. Air Asia is still located at the new airport, while the other budget airlines are located at the old airport.

Purchasing ahead prices can be as low as 1500 baht, while counter sales tend to be about 3000 baht. A

Similan Diving
Similan Liveaboard

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