We are heading off with the kids (2 & 4) for 2 months starting late Nov on their first o/s trip. Intending to cover some of Thailand, Laos & Vietnam.
We are looking for somewhere to relax for the first two weeks to tune out from our working lives. Would like to go to a beach destination within fairly easy reach of bangkok. My hubby & I are old time LP travellers and still like to try to find a beach bungalow in a non touristy or low key tourist area for a fairly low price. Can anyone suggest a cheap area/accom that would suit? Or i am i asking too much to get a cheap, lovely place not far from bangkok??
Any help would be appreciated. Promise to do my bit and feed back advice when we return.
suffolkpark
1
mcjhpowell
Try Ko Samet if you wish to stay close to Bangkok. We spent a very relaxing few days there in 2003 with our two kids, staying at a small hotel run by a Swiss guy. Another option if youre heading in the Cambodia direction is Ko Chang. This island is less developed than most of the Thai islands and much cheaper.
Mark
2
valouria2
I second the Ko Chang suggestion! We went there in 2001 and loved the slow pace. While we were there, we met another traveller who had children with her and they were having a wonderful time. Just make sure you take the air-con bus and don't torture yourself with a long minibus ride. Have a great time, wherever you end up!
3
moxxie
but be aware of malaria risks in Ko Chang...
one reason for me not to go there with my -then- 2yr old.
most other places (islands) are malaria-free, i think.
only dengue in some islands.
have a good trip!
4
steve252
if you decide to consider Ko Samet, this thread may prove useful:
Ko Samet - redux - how to get there
the place mentioned in #1 might be www.samedvilla.com</a> -- it's owned and operated by a Swiss guy named Josef (BTW for 2004 they've scrapped most if not all of their "fan" rooms and replaced them with new air-con units)
Ko Chang is much more developed now than it was back in 2001 - see this Ko Chang - "everything change" thread for an update
Ko Chang is the most tourist-orientated place in Thailand (and the only island) that has sufficient malaria risk to warrant short-term visitors seriously considering malaria prophylaxis; last malaria outbreak on Ko Samet was pre-1998
dengue fever is endemic throughout Thailand -- and especially on islands such as these
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