Thailand.

[Howard-]

Thanks guys.


Also.. Vaccinations.. Are they needed?

[smifffymoto]

You will need jabs,go see your GP.

[Mankers]

Also do not discount Ko Phangan over Ko Tao. There are quiet spots around Ko Phangan, Beaches on the North, North East and North West. As Ko Tao is small is can get crowded although you are travelling in off season. Phangan is easier to get to. Fly BKK to Samui, taxi to big bhudda pier (10 Mins) then boat 1hr or so.

[Howard-]

What's everyone's opinion on Koh Samui? Most people/sites seem to suggest that if you avoid the busy beaches (Chaweng etc) unless you're into that, and find a quieter beach then it's quite lovely.

[Mankers]

Prob my least fav island. Ko phangan is much less developed just avoid full moon party. It's also cheaper. Really depends what your priorities are. I have spent over one year in Thailand over the past decade each island offers something for everyone depends what you are looking for.

[matt 74]

VIsited Chang Mai in Jan uaey of this year, absolutely loved the place, had a great feel about it. WIshed we could have stayed for longer however had to head off to do the Mae hong son loop which was a great experience

Would thoroughly recommend the below if looking for accommodation, give me a shout if require any further info - also a great local down the road with regular live music!

.http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g293917-d1582410-Reviews-Tanita_House-Chiang_Mai.html

[-Ad-]

Why has no one suggested Koh Phi Phi!!!!!

Stay on Long Beach, it's a only a 5min longboat from Tonsai bay (party place but a bit st). You can chill here on a quieter, white beach then pop over to Tonsai when you want drinks and partying. A boat trip out to Koh Phi Phi Lay (where they filmed 'The Beach') is a must see and the diving around there is also excellent. It's also centrally located with many boats going elsewhere in the Andaman Sea.

We are big fans of West Railay. A short transfer from Krabi, but although it's part of the mainland, you can only access it via boat. Stay on the West for an amazing beach, hike around Railay to see other beaches and viewpoints, then go eat and drink the night away on East Railay for a lot more fun for a lot less cost than the West Beach.

Perfect couple time here and we've spent 4 nights over Xmas there the last 2 years. Go for Railay Village if you can warrant the cost, amazing villas, set into the shrubbery and even Wifi

We also visited Koh Lanta, but that was only briefly and we just chilled in the hotel. Pure couple time after a hectic xmas and New Year partying. Stayed at 'The Houben', which is a sensational smaller hotel (15rooms) run by a Belgium family, overlooking the sea ontop of a cliff, right by Kantiang Bay (amazing beach).

Cannot wait to go back to Thailand, especially as the gf moves from Shanghai to Bangkok for work in a month

[havoc]

Howard- said:

www.elephantnaturepark.org - Highly rated by CNN, the BBC, National Geographic, etc. Looks like an incredible experience and my girlfriend will be in absolute heaven here!

Been there, done that, loved it. A genuine place not a tourist trap, run by a lovely ball-of-energy of a Thai lady.

Budget permitting, check out the D2 hotel in Chiang Mai. Boutique-style 4*, not usually our thing, but loved it. Good food, great service, good location.

Beach-wise, check which 'side' of the peninsula has the worst monsoon in August and go in the other direction. If not a lot different, pick the West side (Krabi/Ao Nang/Phuket/Koh Lanta) for picture-postcard stuff and chilling, and the East side (Koh Samui, Koh Phang Nang) for more nightlife.

[Mankers]

-Ad- said:

Why has no one suggested Koh Phi Phi!!!!!

Stay on Long Beach, it's a only a 5min longboat from Tonsai bay (party place but a bit st). You can chill here on a quieter, white beach then pop over to Tonsai when you want drinks and partying. A boat trip out to Koh Phi Phi Lay (where they filmed 'The Beach') is a must see and the diving around there is also excellent. It's also centrally located with many boats going elsewhere in the Andaman Sea.

We are big fans of West Railay. A short transfer from Krabi, but although it's part of the mainland, you can only access it via boat. Stay on the West for an amazing beach, hike around Railay to see other beaches and viewpoints, then go eat and drink the night away on East Railay for a lot more fun for a lot less cost than the West Beach.

Perfect couple time here and we've spent 4 nights over Xmas there the last 2 years. Go for Railay Village if you can warrant the cost, amazing villas, set into the shrubbery and even Wifi

We also visited Koh Lanta, but that was only briefly and we just chilled in the hotel. Pure couple time after a hectic xmas and New Year partying. Stayed at 'The Houben', which is a sensational smaller hotel (15rooms) run by a Belgium family, overlooking the sea ontop of a cliff, right by Kantiang Bay (amazing beach).

Cannot wait to go back to Thailand, especially as the gf moves from Shanghai to Bangkok for work in a month

Andaman side will be the wetter of the two in August so that rules out / limits Phuket, phi phi, railey beach, lanta and all the other islands down to the Malaysian boarder. Ko samet in the gulf has a reputation for being dryer than most but not visited since 2003 so no idea what it is like these days.

[-Ad-]

Mankers said:

Andaman side will be the wetter of the two in August so that rules out / limits Phuket, phi phi, railey beach, lanta and all the other islands down to the Malaysian boarder. Ko samet in the gulf has a reputation for being dryer than most but not visited since 2003 so no idea what it is like these days.

Good point, you're right on that one.

[74merc]

I was in Kho Samui in October in the mid nineties. Within 1 day of the monsoon starting, we were knee deep in water. Don't be thinking that monsoon means a heavy shower in the late afternoon!