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Ok so I'm going to Thailand for only a week before going to Cambodia this summer. I don't really like Bangkok so want to get straight from the airport to a nice beach and back again, maximising the time spent in a beachside hut with cheap food and drink.

Are there any suggestions for good beaches? When I was last in Thailand I went to Ko Samet, which was quite nice. I'd like to try somewhere further south, but is it worth it given I only have 7 days? I really know very little about which Thai beaches are good.

If it helps me and my girlfriend are looking for somewhere quieter, with less party party and more quiet seclusion. But also really cheap. Oh and with beachside huts.

Thanks!


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1

google around Ko Wai, which still has 250 baht bungalows, and Ko Maak, a little bit more expensive. Only downside is that the ferry might not be running in bad weather that time of year but I can't give spot on info about that because I'm never near there then. Also the Ko Chang islands are convenient for Cambodia, and it's a much easier border crossing if you decide on an overland option. If you're flying to Cam and have already got your flight, it's still not that hard to get back to BKK though - though of course not as easy as Samet.

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2

Ko phi phi is verrrrry nice but very touristy (they filmed the beach close to there worth it for the snorkelling alone), Ko Samui blows from what i saw of it and Ko Phangan is amazingly pretty (totally excellent insane nightlife with the full moon parties on the main tourist beach but deserted everywhere else), Ko chang is gorgeous (ask for a place called the treehouse - killer!) and close to the border. I really enjoyed Ko Samet too! If you have limited time and are going south I recommend booking a domestic transfer straight to Phuket then bussing it to the ferry towns.

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3

The southern Gulf islands tend to be drier this time of year. See link one below.
Any of the more laid back beaches on Tao or Phangan would be the go. See link two below.
Depending on your arrival at Bangkok, a night sleeper train which allows you to bail out at Chumpon a few hours before the morning fast ferries to Tao then Phangan, might be a way of maximising time on de beach.

If you are flying into PHuket, sure PP is nice as is Railay, and these two are almost the most easily accessed. If you want to get right off the beaten track, Ko Yao Noi is even more easily reached, although beaches are not as nice and a fair few places will be closed.
They are also in the second link below. BTW, it is usually wetter on the Andaman side, but travel is still normally okay.

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4

normally i would agree with #1 but it's the wrong time of year. at that time the east coast (gulf side) is good weather. try koh phangan- mae haad beach or thong nai pan.

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