Hi
Myself and my girlfriend have been travelling for 5 months and we now enter our last month in Thailand. We have spent a fair amount of time in Bangkok already and also visiting Koh Samet and Chiang Mai at the end of last year. We have just come back from Cambodia, vietnam and Singapore and now have 4 weeks left to chill out before going back to work.
Unfortunately, our plans took a slight blow when my girlfriend found out yesterday that she needs to have a wisdom tooth out so we need to come back to bangkok in a few weeks for this to be taken care of and then again 6 days later to have the stiches out before flying home (we are on a real budget and would prefer to have this work done in Bangkok rather than have to pay hundreds more once we get home).
So we are flying to Krabi tomorrow and have planned for:
1 day in Krabi
1 day at james Bond island
4 days in Phi Phi
7 days total in Phuket
4 days in Khao Lak (meeting up with some friends there)
Back to bangkok for the dentist
then bus to Ko Samet for a few days
back to bangkok for stitches out and then fly home.
We really dont know how long to spend in Phi Phi, Krabi and Phuket - does our number of days look ok to you guys.
We would like to have visited Ko Pha Ngan too but think that as we would have to fly from bangkok and back between the dentist appointments, it is going to be cheaper to go back to Ko samet. - or would you recommend that it is worth the extra cost?
IMHO skip Phuket and skip Khao Lak (unless you're diving the Similans). Go to Ko Lanta and Ko Jum. Ok so you're meeting friends in Khao Lak, but it is pretty much just a tourist strip mall catering to the dive industry and package tourists. Similans are awesome though. Some areas of Phuket are ok, but especially Patong and Karon beach (the two most popular) are also urbanised tourist shopping malls. Ko Lanta is more like "Thailand" and is very chilled/peaceful in the southern beaches. Just one man's opinion.
Good advice from #1.
If you are on a budget, i'd definately avoid Phuket and maybe even Phi Phi. If you stayed in Lanta you could see Phi Phi on a day trip or an overnighter. Lots of budget places on Lanta and Jum.
Hmm, you must have missed a few things when you came here #1.
Khao Lak Lamru National Park surrounds the town
Thai Muang National park is just South of town, home to one of only two turtle nesting beaches on the west coast
5 waterfalls within 15 kilometers of town
Strict limits on building height and design
Diving at Similans
Snorkeling at Similan and Surin Islands
Trekking at Khao Sok
no "karaoke" bars
No Katoey bars
OP, I suggest you get a second opinion as to need for stitches. I've had all 4 out, one of which had to removed with a hammer and chisel, but never had stitches.
I suggest only 3 days Phuket, and 5 days in Krabi ( Railay or Lanta )
You can't stay on James Bond Island. Day trip only.
As it takes most of a days travel to get to a bungalow on Phangan ( nearest airport is on Samui ), and back, I don't recommend going there unless you've got at least 3 whole days to enjoy the island ( ie. 5 days minimum between appointments ).
trusted partner
