Phi Phi - is it really that bad?? And has anyone stayed at Golden Hills?

Hi All

I've just booked my flights to bangkok and planned on travelling down to phi phi for a week in Dec - looking to relax on a nice beach for a while and seen Golden Hills Bungalows as somewhere nice and cheap to stay. First of all...the reviews on here don't seem to great for phi phi...is it really that bad??? And has anyone actually stayed at Golden Hills? I'll be travelling alone so keen to know if it's safe and easily accessable in the evening etc.

Help please!!

I've said it before...is it really that bad?...it's worse! Stay in another place and do an island boat tour to see the places local to Phi Phi but the island itself is a dump and in a state of repair.

Really! Blimey!! Ok, any advice on where to stay instead? I want to go somewhere that looks like the postcards! Although I'm going alone so not too remote! Any ideas?

picture of Phi Phi as it looks now . ( Courtesy poster Dominic77 )

picture of Phi Phi as it used to look.

This guy seems to like phi phi and recommends it telling you why. Q&A video interview Pai and Phi Phi

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRGdiZskGa8

A stay in Phuket would ensure you could do a Phi Phi tour, but for budget and less tourists you should use Ao Nang in Krabi as a stepping stone to many places. Railay beach is nice and only 10 minutes away, although a little quiet. Rock climbing in Railay is a blast though, you'll get a postcard photo!

That's really helpfuul thank you. Ao Nang looks lovely!!

So...any recommendations of where I could stay? Is it safe to stay alone there?

Phi Phi knockers are widespread and give the impression they have never been to the laid back east coast. There are places there as relaxed as any on travellers' dream island like Ngai, Kradan or Kut.

Having said that, the Ton Sai Loh Dulum area of Phi Phi is hardly paradise unless you are a party animal. At the same time, Golden Hills is one of the places in the higher reaches of east Ton Sai which is the area to stay if you want to be close to town.

Maybe nquinlan+ can check my 2 Phi Phi pages in the first link below for more info and pix - I too have a copy of +dom's shot and a before shot - with some pertinant comments about time needed for regrowth of palms.

But sure, valid criticisms of Phi Phi in peak season are high prices for bungalows and/or overcrowding - there are better value, less crowded islands to go to nearby.
Maybe quin can check my pages on Jum and Lanta.

Sorry, i do not undertood! im going to bkk this agost 26,
and im planning go to phi phi, is not good?

Ao Nang isn't exactly lovely, but it's a base to off and explore with some decent restaurants and some shops too.

Nearby Koh Lanta is worth a look too.

Ao Nang isn't exactly lovely, but it's a base to off and explore with a few decent restaurants and some shops too. It's safe in accordance with normal procedure. I stayed just off one of the main streets. Walking around you will see many places for about 1500 a night, but you'll also find a decent place under this, even as low as 800 B if you look.

Nearby Koh Lanta is worth a look too.

800 baht is regarded as low price at Ao Nang these days !!!!!!!! . You can get a decent room in middle of Bangkok for 300 baht , but have to pay 800 baht in Ao Nang ! . In the begining Ao Nang had huts for average price of 60 baht , now 800 baht is regarded as low price . Poor Krabbi,

Yeah but in Bkk you are in the city with 7 million people, loads of cars, pollution and the like with the nearest beach and sea 2 hours away.

In Krabi, namely Ao Nang, you are 10 minutes from Railay beach.

Gotta be worth more.

Thanks! So is Ao Nang a good place to base myself for 9 nights??

I want somewhere quiet but also want to be able to venture out for a few nights...is that likely here?

Hi, I am booked to stay at the Bay View Resort Phi Phi Island in just over a week. I have not heard any bad things about the island, am I missing something?

Ok...so maybe I should be more specific. I am travelling from 27th Nov to 12th Dec. I plan on doing a short trip in the north via intrepid and then have a flight booked down to Karbi on 3rd dec. I want to stay somewhere that is cheap but that looks like that postcard picture - but also want to be where the backpackers are as travelling alone and would like some good nights out. Does such a place exist???

Cassandra - I have always wanted to Stay at Bay View - great position midway between Ton Sai and Long Beach - with bungalows up the hill giving great views. Seriously good deals in low season - quite expensive high season.

nquin - you want to be somewhere cheap with backpackers looks like a picture postcard. Well Ao Nang don't - although it is cheap and there will be other travellers. Seemed to me to be starting to be a bit of a hang for mid-aged package types and the socks and sandle barfly set though.
My suggestions of Jum and Lanta may be a bit quiet low season.
I reckon your idea of Phi Phi aint bad. But for a nice place relatively cheap I'd be turning hard LEFT off the ferry and walking down to the end of the beach where Rock Climbing Bungalows and a similar new trad style joint are now built up against the headland. The beach is real nice down here, these are the style of place to attract backpackers and it is only a 5 minute walk up to the action in town.

Realise its very fashionable for the experienced traveller to knock Phi Phi. I must admit I'm over it in high season except for the Long Beach and East Coast. But the high prices and overcrowding which spoils it for me in high season is not a factor low season.

Edited by: tezza

I'm not saying stay at Ao Nang for 9 nights, no way-that would be a waste. Check out Ao Nang or another part of Krabi for a night or 2, then stay at Railay, maybe Koh Lanta and you could also go to Phi Phi and see what the fuss is about, but follow Tezza's hang left tip when you arrive at the pier in Phi Phi.

Heaven or Hell? Phi Phi's a beautiful island but has suffered at the hands of tourism. If you're from a landlocked cold country it probably feels like paradise though. The nature aspect of the island is gorgeous aside from the human development. Like Tez says go stay on one of the more remote beaches if you want more peace and quiet. I would not discourage someone to visit Phi Phi unless they were clearly anti-tourism. Oh, except for xmas-nye when it is positively bursting 110% with tourists. By all means go check it out for a couple days then balance it out with time on Ko Lanta.

Wow thanks guys really helpful!

Cassandra - would you mind letting me know what this place is like?? Baring in mind i'm a female travelling alone so don't want to be too far out by myself!

And thanks everyone else for your comments - is all starting to make more sense now. Ok great - so which beach should I be looking to stay on at phi phi? Any recommendations of hostels/hotels? I have to fly back from Krabi on Dec 12th evening. So could do Ao Nang for a couple of nights/Railay for a couple/Koh Lanta and Phi Phi for atleast one night. Is this realistic enough to be relaxing within 9 days (10th day back to Krabi)?

I'm starting to think my 6 day trekk around the north could be better spent on a beach - what do you think? Is it worth doing Chang mai? I want to ride an elephant!

Is it quite the norm that I will meet people to tag along with along the way? Others travelling alone?

Is it quite the norm that I will meet people to tag along with along the way? Others travelling alone?

Definitely. Loads of single solo type travelers on the southern islands and beaches in December. Your main thing will be finding accommodation since it's so busy, although if you're flexible you can sometimes turn up and find a bungalow of some sort. Just with your limited time you might want to look at some bookings.

Lanta is the easiest / least busy of the places in question. Just arriving by ferry and following the touts either on the boat or the pier you'll probably find a place to stay. Klong Dao is the busiest beach but quite couple-family-oriented, Long Beach would suit you well, then quieter spots further down the island. You can ride an elephant down near Klong Jak if you missed it in Chiang Mai.

Ao Nang is a very commercialised tourism town with big resorts and package tourists. It does provide convenience though, having road access to the surrounding attractions (rent a motorbike to explore). Railay is gonna be busy but head to East Railay for the best liklihood of a vacancy. West Railay is nicer but the few places that dominate it are well into the 3000++ range and bookings would be essential in December. Phi Phi is going to be even more crowded so book in advance. Look at the following sites:

http://www.asiarooms.com/thailand/thailand-hotels.html
http://www.agoda.com/asia/thailand.html
http://www.sawadee.com/

" Yeah but in Bkk you are in the city with 7 million people, loads of cars, pollution and the like with the nearest beach and sea 2 hours away.
In Krabi, namely Ao Nang, you are 10 minutes from Railay beach. Gotta be worth more"
----------------------------------------------------
True , but the problem here is in our eagerness to pay prices beyond the norm it makes the developers richer and encourages them to keep building till places like Railay and Ao Nang become just like built up beaches in Europe , Ausralia , US and other places . Thats exaggerating , but they are headed in that direction. And the figure of 800 baht is sobbering , for some travellers 800 baht could be their daily budget.

Whilst I hate the over development I understand the beach sells and always comes at a cost. Most accommodation on Krabi (and Phuket and Samui) caters for farangs on holiday with the big money, i.e. more than 800 baht on a room. For these tourists it's still an amazingly cheap destination. For backpackers Krabi town is much cheaper alternative , but no much going on there and certainly no beach.

I was recommending Ao Nang only for a day or two anyway. Then get over to Railay, where I have stayed in Ya Ya resort for under 500 baht! If 800 baht was somebody's limit then you'd might head to other places like Phi Phi, but stay in the town, Koh Pha Ngan, Koh Samet, Koh Chang, etc.

"800 baht is regarded as low price at Ao Nang these days !!!!!!!! . You can get a decent room in middle of Bangkok for 300 baht , but have to pay 800 baht in Ao Nang !"

Rubbish

Ao Nang aircon ensuite and cable tv 800 baht with breakfast

Same room in Bangkok 1000 baht.

Railay prices are double that of Ao Nang

davelliot must be living in the 80s as bangkok is more expensive than ao nang

"nquin - you want to be somewhere cheap with backpackers looks like a picture postcard. Well Ao Nang don't - although it is cheap and there will be other travellers. Seemed to me to be starting to be a bit of a hang for mid-aged package types and the socks and sandle barfly set though."

how dare families travel and take over from smelly backpackers

"Whilst I hate the over development I understand the beach sells and always comes at a cost. Most accommodation on Krabi (and Phuket and Samui) caters for farangs on holiday with the big money, i.e. more than 800 baht on a room"

$30 a night big money lol

that's small money

big money people pay 10000 baht or more

ao nang doesnt have much in the way of 300 baht dumpy rooms like bangkok but it's 800 baht rooms are better than bangkok if you look around.

Well we're going to find out for ourselves - staying at Phi Phi Relax http://krabidir.com/phiphirelaxbeachresort/

Will let you know

ALso last night staying at Tropical Garden Bungalows - getting 9.00am ferry and would prefer to roll down a hill rather than get longtail at sparrowfart

RE # HEINKENDRINKER,

"davelliot must be living in the 80s as bangkok is more expensive than ao nang "
----------------------------------------------------------------
Does that mean there are rooms for 150 baht or less in Ao Nang as there are in Bkok.

" how dare families travel and take over from smelly backpackers "
-----------------------------------------------------------
Well for your info even in the days when there 50 baht huts at Ao Nang and Railay there WERE families staying in bungalows not just individual "smelly backpackers". Fast forward to the present day and I once saw a northern european family with about 3 kids staying in simple old fashioned style wooden bungalow and they looked like they were very happy . This idea that the basic bungalows are only suited to "smelly backpackers" and the only suitable accomodation for families is resorts is simple minded generalisation .
Whether families or individuals , some people put a higher priority on the surrounding aesthetics than having a "decent or nice" room , after all if thats a big priority one can get it in Miami , Sth of Spain or Surfers Paradise .

"$30 a night big money that's small money"
------------------------------------------------------------

Not for someone who is travellling on a budget , and not by the standards generally of Thailand . Its small money by international resort standards and thats what Krabbi is becoming , but in doing so so its losing alot of the original charm that attracted people to it in the 1st place.

I agree Dave. Heinekendrinker sometimes bites because he can, but he doesn't really read and comprehend the views discussed. The money issue is about backpackers on a daily budget. Some poll on here had people voting on their daily budget. Around a 1000 B was about average. So 800 B is BIG, actually MASSIVE, to these people as that leaves them only 200 B for food, drinks and transport. As I rightly stated if said budget was 800 baht then said persons might look elsewhere.

Comprehend more Heineken before you 'anger' type.

Lou, I wanna report and some pix of Relax for my PP page please please - under your name of course. I always wanted to stay there - it always looked a step up from Toh Koh Resort and the reviews back that.
Oh yeah, Tropical too if you can manage it. For people wanting a nice place close to town.

Gotta agree on the 'drinker - dude's getting old and cranky.

Edited by: tezza

Right and its not always just about the money , some people find the traditional Asian style A frame bungalow a nice exerience and something that not available in any other part of the world . That northern european family I think like staying bungalow style for its own sake and the way it blended in with the surrounding nature rather than them not being able to afford anything else.
Of course thats all in a decline and the clock can't be wound back , but originally the beaches of Krabbi were regarder as an unspoilt alternative to places like Ko Samui.

Sounds good - you maybe saw the pix of Yao Yai Resort and its beach abt 35% down my YY page http://tezza-thailandbeachesandislands.blogspot.com/2008/12/ko-yao-yai.html - your resort report and some more pix would go real well.

If you get a chance, wander 10 minutes back up the road inland to Yamalia's Heimat Garden Restaurant - there is a pix just under the one's mentioned above. This restaurant is a bit of a hang for island expats and long timer travellers and you can get some good conversation going. Yamalia is a fountain of knowledge about the island and can organise some good hiking trips. She also has kayaks although your resort is sure to have these. I never got to send her a url of my page but tell her her place is featured (even though I didn't get to stay in her nice rooms).

Cool - I'll visit Heimat Garden - thinking of hiring a bike - look out yao yai - but today their website (Yao Yai Resort) seems to be spitting the dummy - We might have had a slight change of plans - looks like Ally is going to be in Phi Phi after her Burma trip - (we travelled in Vietnam and I've been dying to travel again with her even if it's only a few days) so instead of going Phi Phi Krabi we are now going Yao Yai to Krabi/Railay and there's only one 7.00am from Yao Noi - guess I can convince Moneypenny to do a 5,30am start from Yao Yai trip OR maybe go late in the arvo to a Yao noi place near the ferry stop - what do you reckon?

Bugger it I reckon we hire a boat to take us from Yao Yai to Railay bugger the dicking around just get straight there -

There is a speedboat goes from Bang Rong on mid-north Phuket to Yai's northern pier and then to Ao Nang. Google Heimat Garden - the website has details of this and the slow boats from the northern pier to Ao Thalen to the north of Krabi town.
But yeah, a direct boat from Yao Yai south to Railay would be great although it would cost a bomb - where are you and Moneypenny when I'm looking for someone to share something like this?

Just had a thought - the speedboat may be high season only. Anyway once on the island you will get info from the locals. I'm sure there will be a low season slow boat from Yao Yai - it is for locals and the locals need to get to the Krabi district fairly often.

Dissmiss everything heinekendrinker says, just an angry man with a hateful billjones agenda! Grrrrr! LOL =)

Ok so I've ditched the northern trek idea and going to spend my 16 days on the beaches!
Lanta looks great and think it'd be rude not to check out phi phi even if just for one night. If anyone has any ecommenations of places to stay for when I arrive in Krabi much apprecaited - would be good to go somewhere wher I oculd meet fellow travellers as I will be a lone traveller!
Thanks

Huzza.....dicking around? You's a girl.........

Captain Knob doesnt have a clue about Krabi.

I know the place very well and 800 baht places in low season are better than what you get in Bangkok.

"Does that mean there are rooms for 150 baht or less in Ao Nang as there are in Bkok."

So you want to stay in a dump near a beach?

Most people on beach holidays want to stay someone decent and $30 a night is cheap.

In the Pacific Islands prices are much much higher.

"Around a 1000 B was about average"

Incorrect. The average spend for tourists in Thailand is double that.

1000 baht a day is bare bones.

"Whether families or individuals , some people put a higher priority on the surrounding aesthetics than having a "decent or nice" room , after all if thats a big priority one can get it in Miami , Sth of Spain or Surfers Paradise . "

People will pay hundreds a night in those places for a nice room. Krabi much less.

Phi Phi is pretty nice away from Ton Sai.

nquin - providing you want to stay somewhere scenic in Krabi for a few days, I suggest one of the cheaper places I mention on East Railay.

OR - You will find a lot more cheap places on Ton Sai and the backpacker/climbing sets that hang there are always good company. The beach bar at Ton Sai Resort is a great meeting place.
Ton Sai is picture postcard with its awesome cliffs and nice beach at high tide - but the beach looks a bit ordinary at low tide as a shot on my Krabi/Railay/Ton Sai/Ao Nang page shows. No matter, West Railay is a short but arduous trek over the southern headland.
I mention a few cheapies on that page, but the time of year you are going you will be able to walk up the loop track and get a bungalow at just about any place you like the look of.

If you change your mind and want to overnight in Krabi town only, Chan Cha Lay guesthouse is one place you will meet travellers and is centrally located.

Yep i - be female last time I looked - although colleagues at work and play do mutter behind my back about balls dropping - I'm sure they're referring to my inferior sporting skills ;-p

Cap Bob see you in a few sundays - keep that table reserved for huzza and moneypenny - what street are you on again? I'm going to see if I can Mapjack you

Heinenkin - we're going to the east coast - looks ok

eUREKA -

bob is Cafe Be Bee yours??/ In the pix the tourist info place isn't open yet

Is Ko Chang any good???

Is Ko Chang any good???

Sure but maybe pretty wet and quiet at the moment. Macca?

bob is Cafe Be Bee yours??

"Bee" rents the space from us but it's still more or less a joint venture along with the rooms and trav desk. The cafe opens about 7am but on mapjack our door is still down ;-(

How about in Dec?

1st 2 weeks of dec?

Wet season tends to end a bit earlier on average in the eastern Gulf so early Dec is usually real good on big Ko Chang.
Pretty good island but I like the southern neighbours Whai, Mak and Kut even more. As usual I have a page on each with info, pix etc in the first link below.

Hey thanks tezza - yeah I was just having a good read through your pages on ko chang, phi phi, railey and lanta! These places appeal more but don't want to go if it's likely to be raining. So really trying to decide between ao nang, railey,lanta and phi phi or over ko chang. What do you think??

I want gaurenteed sun (although I know there's no such thing)!!

Worth noting that the King's Birthday Dec-5 is a national holiday and Ko Chang, being a few hours drive from Bangkok, tends to get flooded with Thai tourists. Not just the one day either - anytime around then is busy, but especially the weekends.

Anywhere in the tropics can have some clouds and rain almost any time of year, but December is a good bet for the places on your list. Just avoid the lower gulf at this time (Samui etc) for "guaranteed sun" =)

Great thanks!

So is it fair to say ao nang from 29th nov to pailey, lanta and phi phi to 12th dec will be goos sunny weather?

oops railey!

good not goos weather!!

Yep, all those places should be have heaps of sun by that time. As Bob says, only real iffy place is Samui area.

bob - from above - yep we'll be there - get the icey wine ready

Good news on the weather!! Ok so this is my plan so far - what do you think.

Fly to Karbi 28th stay on ao nang for 1 night
4 nights on on railey
4 nights on lanta
4 nights on phi phi
back up to bangkok

What do you think? Any suggestions on what beaches I should be staying on? I can't find where you said which beach to stay on at railey?

nquilan - i've not been there yet but it depends on your budget and tezza - oy - having a rethink - fecked up on the price for Railay Beach Resort - cheapest is still about 3000/2500 a night but I reckon I could bargain them down - the Diamond Resort looks good - beautiful in fact and after trekking and slepping I think we can handle the stairs - the views look phenomenal and I like the architecture of the room - we would have had beach front in Phi Phi and Ko Yao SOOOO figure save the dosh stay at Diamond for half the price but hang out on Railay West - I reckon if you ate at the restaurant they'd let you use the pool ;-p

Lou xx

I will be soooooo happy not to have to wear bloody tights for three weeks - note to self book waxing

quin your itinerary in #58 looks fine.
For a good selection of budget digs and lots of hunky climbers to socialise with I reckon you will like Ton Sai over the headland from West Railay.

Lou - I've been up to Diamond for a look a few times and the view from the pool and other general areas is a blowout. I think some bungalows have similar views. If I could afford it I wouldn't hesitate.
I reckon you will be okay with your plan re the pool at Railay West - note I've always found if you order a beer (or for MP a gin and tonic) from the bar at any of these resort pools that makes you legit.
Dont forget to wander over to Phra Nang - better than West Railay. Go to the north end of East Railay and follow the path between Rayvadee Resort and the cliffs.

There are two Diamonds on East Railay - Diamond Cave and Diamond Private. Actually the one I was talking abt above with the spectacular pool and the killer steps is Diamond Private.

Yep I was looking at that and the tripadvisor says looks great on outside but it's filthy and run down inside. Sunrise however looks very Huzza and MP

"Worth noting that the King's Birthday Dec-5 is a national holiday and Ko Chang, being a few hours drive from Bangkok, tends to get flooded with Thai tourists. Not just the one day either - anytime around then is busy, but especially the weekends. "

how dare thais have holidays in their own country

ko chang is a lovely island and moe thais going there makes it less of a phuket/samui atmoshere.

Railay is no big deal. small beach, overdeveloped area. phra nang beach worth a few hours.

= Bor thor kayaking is great
- khlong thom hot springs and cystal lagoon highly recommended. much better than railay. 50 min drive from ao nang easy to find.
- snorkellin to phi phi and hong islands very good.

krabi is all about day tours and exploring.

sitting around railay or ao nang is boring, get out and explore.

krabi town night markets have decent food, inland one is better.

boat restaurant opposite maccas has good 40-60 baht meals in ao nang.

Thanks!

I need a good few days to relax on a beach though...where would you recommend for that? What is long beach on phi phi like?

Your plan above looks good (with some suggestions)
>Fly to Karbi 28th stay on ao nang for 1 night
>4 nights on on railey (West Railay nice, East Railay cheaper)
>4 nights on lanta (Long Beach, Klong Nin, Kathiang Bay)
>4 nights on phi phi (Long Beach or far end of Lo Dalam)
>back up to bangkok

We must be doing something wrong - you're still undecided? =)

"We must be doing something wrong - 65 posts and you're still undecided? =)"

Yes you are terrible!! No, really I have zero idea what to do. For example - by the time I get in to bangkok apparently there are no flights to krabi at that time - so was thinking of flying down to phuket instead (because they have later flights) stay one night there and then off to the islands! Then I don't know which beaches to stay on or where to stay...luckily ebnough I ahve plenty of time to organise!

Pretty much I'm looking for someone to plan it all for me because I can't do anything by myself! Perhaps this isn't such a great idea!! ;-)

Nov28 right?
Air Asia has available flights Bangkok-Krabi, cheap - 790 baht. Then hop around Railay, Lanta, Phi Phi for 12 days, fly back to Bangkok. As mentioned, Phi Phi is probably the most crowded of the 3 places but either book something or just show up as the cheaper places change over every day.
http://www.airasia.com

Thanks Captain bob!

I don't arrive in bangkok in time for the last flight unfortunately!

"so was thinking of flying down to phuket instead (because they have later flights) stay one night there and then off to the islands! "

phuket is an island.

i would place phuket well above lanta.

it's easy to visit phi phi on a daytrip from phuket or krabi , you dont need to stay there.

go to khao sok np, phuket, krabi., forget lanta.

kata beach, phuket is a very nice beach. stay there.

Heineken whilst you got a point, why did you not edit your 08:07 message and add the 08:09 one to it, instead of writing a new one?

why?

why not?

RE # HEININKENDRINKER

"ko chang is a lovely island and more thais going there makes it less of a phuket/samui atmoshere."

There is some truth in this in the past , but alot of the rapid development of Ko Chang is aimed at international market . More and more foreign tourists are going there , there was already ample hotels/chalets for the domestic market 8 or 10 years ago . As a result the Ko Chang beaches are strating to go the way of Phuket/Samui.
I agree with you about Railay beach being small and overdeveloped , but the same has happened to the once lovely Lonely Beach on Ko Chang.

"kata beach, phuket is a very nice beach. stay there"

Heineken - been looking at kata - looks good and as I'm flying to phuket makes sense to stop there for a few nights. My only concern is that alot of the reveiews are saying this is more of a family resport. Could you suggest which beach is better to stay on for a lone first time backpacker and potentially where to stay. For my first few nights my budget will be approx 1000bt a night. But the key think for me is not to be stuck in a hotel with families!! Noi looks the nicest? Do backpackers go here and if so can you recommend somewhere to stay?

On reply # 33 in this thread poster batfish reports you can stay at Karon Beach for under 200 baht.

Also if you got to the google satellite maps and zoom in on Kata beach ,Phuket it likes like a city of development behind the beach.

nquinlan - we're staying here but there are two of us and it's for a chill but the strip looks good
http://andamanbangtaobayresort.com/

But it's out of your price range - maybe the other way to do it is stay at the Thalang Guest house in Phuket- apparently an icon for backpackers for the first night or so and then commute to the beaches and find one you like

Lou

"My only concern is that alot of the reveiews are saying this is more of a family resport. Could you suggest which beach is better to stay on for a lone first time backpacker and potentially where to stay. For my first few nights my budget will be approx 1000bt a night. But the key think for me is not to be stuck in a hotel with families!! Noi looks the nicest? Do backpackers go here and if so can you recommend somewhere to stay? "

Phuket is more of a families island.

Kata Noi has an expensive resort which dominates the beach plus a few ghs nearby. Really Kata (Yai) is better for swimming.

Karon beach is ok too but more exposed to wind and sun. Patong is a nice beach too but overdeveloped and you get all the tackiness.

Kamala beach has brown sand and not much to do.

Surin has waves and some food joints on the beach but a tad pricey.

Really Kata is a good allrounder, with some cheap food and massages and a good beach.

Otherwise you could go to the northern beaches near the airport.

"I agree with you about Railay beach being small and overdeveloped , but the same has happened to the once lovely Lonely Beach on Ko Chang. "

Lonely Beach is a backpackers ghetto. That's what backpackers do to places.

Sorry Heinkendrinker , you are somewhat out of date , Lonely Beach as been turned into another resort beach with concrete hotels , vegetation ripped out etc etc etc

" That's what backpackers do to places. "
Well the term backpacker can mean different things to different people . But if you define it as budget traveller , they are the most prepared to adapt the islands and beaches as they are thushave had less impact than on the visitors who come later .
The so called "backpackers' were more or less the first to stay in most of these places - Phuket , Samui , Krabbi , Ko Chang you name it . And I for one much preferred the natural look of these places when they were "backpacker" places .
In any case its somewhat ironic to denigrate budget travellers on a LP forum . Granted that Lp has broadened its market and the founders may no longer travel in that style . But it was 'hippys" , budget travellers and "backpackers" that inspired LP to start in the 1 st place , which in turn led to this forum which provides Heinekendrinker a platform to badmouth "backpackers".

picture of what Lonely Beach used to look like when it was still "backpacker" place.

Haad Rin beach on KPN was ruined by all the backpacker scum going there to the fmps and as a result it's stuffed.

Backpackers have ruined pai also.

Ghettos and backpackers acting like sheep following each other around ruin places.

That photo shows a very narrow strip of sand so once all the sheep arrive it gets ruined.

Ton Sai at Phi Phi ruined.

Railay more upmarket but almost gone too.

Once the sheep arrive a place is doomed.

"Heinekendrinker a platform to badmouth "backpackers". "

LOL I dont see families going to the fmp to trash the beach.

I dont see families in Pai turning a peaceful valley into a ghetto.

It's low class backpackers.

"LOL I dont see families going to the fmp to trash the beach."

The beach is already trashed , and as a matter of interest the Full Moon Party at Hat Rin beach was started by local Thai people.

" dont see families in Pai turning a peaceful valley into a ghetto"

In fact Pai is becoming more of a middle of the road tourist center as each year goes by , -with airport , new hotels etc etc . . You are just as likely to see family tourists in Pai as you are to see "low class backpackers". Pai has become toursist ghetto partly because its an alternative to polluted traffic plagued Changmai.

And geting back to Lonely Beach , the main reason it got trashed was that they built a road past it .

"The beach is already trashed , and as a matter of interest the Full Moon Party at Hat Rin beach was started by local Thai people."

To cater to scummy backpackers who are happy to trash a beach.

"In fact Pai is becoming more of a middle of the road tourist center as each year goes by , -with airport , new hotels etc etc . . You are just as likely to see family tourists in Pai as you are to see "low class backpackers". Pai has become toursist ghetto partly because its an alternative to polluted traffic plagued Changmai."

It's full of backpackers and hippies LOL

Heineken you can't blame the backpackers. If the Thais didn't provide a service they wouldn't be here-blame the Thai's if you want to blame somebody. The backpackers are as vital to the economy as the high-end tourists. Take away the backpackers and you crush a big part of tourism here. Had rin is just an extreme example of bad backpackers and bad Thais. They ain't like that in all Thailand.

That is all said in 1 mail. You are still writing in more than 1, re 84&85.

For fek sake - yes maybe a number of different groups will, en masse, cause more damage but to constantly single out the one group smacks of serious bias which detracts from the ability to take one's argument seriously -eg:

"To cater to scummy backpackers who are happy to trash a beach."

this form of generalising dimishes the argurment and credibility of beer drinker from the northern regions.

Let's not forget credibility of all he bloody cares to add to TT.

To cater to scummy backpackers who are happy to trash a beach."

so fmp people are nice people who care for the beach?

hurricane just lost all credibility

"Heineken you can't blame the backpackers. If the Thais didn't provide a service they wouldn't be here"

thais just cater for the tourists, they want trash so they get it

Vendors sell what the tourists want.

If people want real hamburgers maccas would be broke. customers get what they deserve

" cause more damage but to constantly single out the one group smacks of serious bias which detracts from the ability to take one's argument seriously -eg: "

it aint families at the fmp you dope

it's backpacker scum (not all bps just the trash that trashes that beach)

Northern lager lout - "hurriance just lost all credibility" mmmmm - you are attributing a quote to me that isn't moi - if you are going to challenge one's credibility be wary of how and what and whom you quote young man. tsk tsk - Pass minus for your paper young chap

The Thai's host the party on a beach. Thousand's of people are invited and it's a nice little earner for all involved from hotel owners to food vendors to taxi operators. Thousands of people consume alcohol all night, which the Thai police ignore, and naturally some make a mess. The beach is cleaned up by Thais in the morning.

Heineken you r blaming the backpackers for making a mess? It's a party for thousands and the beach get's cleaned after dude. The Thai's choose to host this. Get your head checked you annoying dumbwit of a farang.

And I sincerely believe that questioning your methodology in making unsubstantiated perhaps spurious claims about a subset of the travelling community does not diminish my credibility it enhances it. Unfortunately the emotive tone in the user of modifiers such as scummy does bring into question the objectivity of your comments.

Heinkendrinker does like to provoke ( there used to be a poster here called Bill Jones who did the same ).
But to set the record straight - Hat Rin beach used to be only accesible by boat , the they built a road to it and that opened the floodgates of building and degradation , same as what happened on Lonely Beach .
As for this idea Pai is full of hippys , if thats so why are building upmarket hotels ? . In the centre of Pai one could see plenty of ordinary middle of the road tourists as long ago as 6 or 7 years ago. As Pai has got more commercialsed alot of the hippys Heinkendrinker rants about have in fact left.

Davelliot - what are you saying? That beer drinker of dutch extraction is trying to incite dissent - surely you jest?

Re Kanganga .

The reason many people like to stay in simple bungalows is because it preserves the aesthetics of the beach . If you have nice beach and then put concrete resorts chalets and villas on it , it doesn't look so nice any more .Who needs air con when you have nice traditional A Frame with the breeze going thru it . And if comfort is your main priority you may as well stay on Sth of Spain . Miami , or Surfers Paradise.
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Advanced Editor doesn't seem to be working , so in the following 2 replies I will show a picture of how Ko Phi Phi used to look when it had mainly simple bungalows and how it looks now with all the resorts.

Sorry ignore reply# 97 , it was meant for another thread . Search engine not working properly and Adavanced Editor not working properly today , got my wires crossed.