Thailand: Bangkok, Ko Samui & Ko Pha Ngan

Thailand: Bangkok, Ko Samui & Ko Pha Ngan

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PD9

Original Poster:

1,996 posts

184 months

Wednesday 5th November 2014
quotequote all
So heading to Thailand in just over a weeks time and looking for some accommodation & activity ideas whilst we are there. It's our first time in the Far East so really looking forward to it and have had some pointers from friends although I'd like a second opinion from the far travelled and cultured members of the PH Forums. Itinerary below:

Part 1:

Bangkok: 3 nights

Hotel undecided. We were looking at Tower Club @ Lebua, Renaissance and stolen from the last Bangkok thread; Hotel Muse. Ideally looking at budgeting around 80~90 £PN on accommodation whilst in Bangkok. Lebua, Renaissance - just outside budget.

Activities: Boat Trip around the back canals (Klongs), Rooftop Bar at Lebua for drinks, Temples and maybe some shopping. I've heard about the 'tailoring' - suit made in 24 hours etc.. is it worth it and what can I expect quality wise?...

Part 2:

Flights to Ko Samui and the Gulf of Thailand is our Oyster when we land.

Ideally we will be 'loosening' up the budget to really enjoy the luxuries on the Islands still if there is good rates available similar to above it is a plus. Again recommendations appreciated. Kandaburi Resort Spa, Anantara & Sareeraya Villa Suites have been suggested by friends.

Activities we will be taking part in whilst on Samui Island are:

Cooking class at Impiana, Visiting the Fishing Village in Bo Phut, Boat trip round the National Marine Park and plenty of massages. Also considering a Car to tour the Island (I've heard Mopeds are death traps).

As a note on the side: Is it worth arranging trips / nights on Ko Tao etc.?

We have scheduled 11 nights for the Islands flying into Samui with nothing booked.

Any helpful info appreciated; Thanks in advance!

Nobby Diesel

2,051 posts

250 months

Wednesday 5th November 2014
quotequote all
There's loads to do in BKK, it really depends on your interest.
The longtail charter around the klongs is a great trip. Just head down to Thaksin Pier or similar and cut a deal with a boat driver. Take some extra small notes and ask the driver for "lil lil".

Hotels you mention are good, but toppish. There will be loads of good deals this time of year.

If you fancy a market shopping experience and are in BKK over a weekend, head for Chatachak Market. It's huge.

Get onto the sky rail system and just have a ride around. When you see something that takes your eye, jump off and explore.

Head to the Sois off Sukhumvit at night for some of the long established bars. Cheap Charlies, etc.


Have you booked your flights to Samui yet?
BKK-USM flights are expensive, as Bangkok Airways own the airport.
If you want to get there quickly, then no contest, take the direct flight. If you have a little more time, consider the flight to Surat Thani, with the bus and ferry combined ticket. Dirt cheap.
The other alternative is the night sleeper train to Surat Thani, again, followed by the bus and ferry.

Your hotel choices on Samui are good.
Also consider the Tongsai bay, staying in a Grand Villa.
The White House at Choengmon Beach has a couple of traditional teak Long Houses. Lovely to stay in.

Deffo rent a car and have a look around.
Nathon is worth a visit. A proper working town, with fish market, port, general shops etc.

You do realise that it's pretty wet in Samui right now?
The rains have started with gusto.

Have a great time.

PD9

Original Poster:

1,996 posts

184 months

Thursday 6th November 2014
quotequote all
Hi Nobby, thanks for the informative reply.

I'll take on board your advice on the klongs and nip along and see what deal I can cut. One question what is 'lil lil'?

As you say the BKK hotels are at the higher end of the scale and this time of year there should be bargains to have. Any further info?

Chatachak Market will be added to the to do list, and exploring via Sky Rail is something we are both looking forward to.

The flights have been booked to Samui with Bangkok Airways; I know it's monopolised but worth the 'hassle' rather than land then boat.

Thanks for your recommendations whilst on Samui; all taken in.

I am aware and know that this is the wettest month of the year. Hopefully it's not too wet! smile

BR.


nyt

1,803 posts

149 months

Thursday 6th November 2014
quotequote all
BKK hotels are cheap this time of year. So even top end hotels should be within your budget. Be sure to get one near the sky train.
My favourite* is the shangr-la. It's on the river which is nice and peaceful - which can be nice in BKK. Great views from upper floor windows. Minutes from the train.
Try the Mango tree for food - close to pat pong so you'll probably be near there anyway

In koh samui I prefer Bo-phut beach to chaweng. The beach itself is nowhere near as nice but fisherman's village is nice to wander to and it just feels more chilled and less chav. They are a taxi ride apart so you can try both. Hotels have no problem with stays of a few days. Anantara in bo-phut is best. Favourite place to eat is Zazen at bo-phut.

hth

  • - Favourite BKK hotel is the mandarin oriental but it's $$$$$
Edited by nyt on Thursday 6th November 09:49

Steviesam

1,242 posts

133 months

Thursday 6th November 2014
quotequote all
Hoping its not too wet?

I went to visit my brother in hospital (he lives on Samui) at this time of year.

Imagine the heaviest rain we ever get here...add a bit...well thats what it was like, for the whole 10 days, solidly. And I mean, not even a 10 min break, 24 hours a day.

toon10

6,140 posts

156 months

Thursday 6th November 2014
quotequote all
I can recomend the major safari tour on Koh Samui. It's touristy but a great day out and a good way to see a lot of the sights on the island. It was my sons favourate trip out on our holiday. If you're a big animal lover then I'd question the conditions on the elephant tour though.

Health and safety isn't really big over there. I sat on top of the roof of a pick up truck in a makeshift metal framed seat whilst being driven around off beaten tracks but it was good fun (in a slightly chav way). They take you to see the sights and the temples which are magnificent.

Fats25

6,260 posts

228 months

Thursday 6th November 2014
quotequote all
Did the same trip as you nearly 10 years ago. Even though Ko Panghan had already been overrun with tourists, is still one of my favourite places I have ever been. Only additional step I did was 2 nights in Pattaya.

I would not recommend 2 nights in Pattaya.

Although 1 night to see one of the wrongest places on earth is quite interesting. Certainly something I will never forget. There are direct flights to Samui from there as well (which was why we went in the first place) from the American airbase.

Nobby Diesel

2,051 posts

250 months

Thursday 6th November 2014
quotequote all
PD9 said:
Hi Nobby, thanks for the informative reply.

I'll take on board your advice on the klongs and nip along and see what deal I can cut. One question what is 'lil lil'?

As you say the BKK hotels are at the higher end of the scale and this time of year there should be bargains to have. Any further info?

Chatachak Market will be added to the to do list, and exploring via Sky Rail is something we are both looking forward to.

The flights have been booked to Samui with Bangkok Airways; I know it's monopolised but worth the 'hassle' rather than land then boat.

Thanks for your recommendations whilst on Samui; all taken in.

I am aware and know that this is the wettest month of the year. Hopefully it's not too wet! smile

BR.
lil lil = faster, faster.

a311

5,789 posts

176 months

Thursday 6th November 2014
quotequote all
We're going to Thailand at the end of the month OP. We've still not booked our BK hotel-there's so may nice one. I put a BK centric thread on look on my profile for it. The Lebua I had comments is getting a bit long in the tooth.

We're sticking to the West Coast for our beach portion as the east inc KS is in the monsoon season.

Blown2CV

28,699 posts

202 months

Thursday 6th November 2014
quotequote all
Stayed at the Lebua 6 years ago. It's nice and everything, but it's just jarring to spend £30 on a drink when the world is so much cheaper down below. That wasn't even the rooftop bar either.

eco21

143 posts

168 months

Thursday 6th November 2014
quotequote all
We done something similar earlier in the year.

Shangri La in BKK - got a corner room, with view over the river. We spent most of the time shopping for the wife (not a wife)

Koh Samui we stayed in Lamai which is down from Chaweng but still close enough to enjoy the madness without being suffocated by it. The West side of the island is quieter (i think). We hired a moped with no experience and it was fine. Just be sensible and you will be fine. Don't use after dark etc.

We loved the Thai Boxing, Night Markets / we found everything could be had for as cheap as you wanted. Saved a lot on what we thought we would spend.

If looking for somewhere nice. Look at Kamalaya Spa and also Six Senses.

HotJambalaya

2,023 posts

179 months

Friday 7th November 2014
quotequote all
Stayed at the Muse hotel last time, very nice hotel, and the location is decent. Have also stayed at the Millennium Hilton, where I have a strange obsession with their orange juice which is the best in the world. The Millennium and a few other 5* hotels are across the river which can be a bit annoying at times, stay at the Muse you won't be disappointed, but if you stay there, find out the name of the old hotel that was there, thats what all the taxi drivers know it by.

Samui, use Bangkok Airways to fly there, great great little airline.

I always rent a scooter, its not expensive, but I pay extra to rent it from the hotel since that way you get to keep your passport. If you do rent it from somewhere else, use your phone and VIDEO/PHOTO all around the scooter at the time of pick up with the rental guy in shot, showing all the scratches etc on it, or they'll hang onto your passport until you've paid for scratches.

Both of the hotels you've listed are in Chaweng, which is where all the younger party crowd go so it can be a little rowdy, though the 5* hotels tend to be at a far end away from the noise, though frankly its where the action is, so I'd stay there.

Unless you want to go scuba diving, I probably wouldn't bother with Koh Tao.

Bargain HARD.

Edited by HotJambalaya on Friday 7th November 09:03


Edited by HotJambalaya on Friday 7th November 09:04

smifffymoto

4,527 posts

204 months

Friday 7th November 2014
quotequote all
We are booked in at the Muse so good somebody has been and thinks it's good;

vixen1700

22,671 posts

269 months

Friday 7th November 2014
quotequote all
Had our honeymoon in Thailand in 1998 and have to say we were disappointed in Koh Sumui, it was very touristy and commercial and not what we were expecting after such a long journey from Bangkok.

We did like one little area though, Bo Phut was nice and quiet without the Sky Sports bars etc. Stayed at the Ziggy Stardust which was very relaxing and I'd recommend. smile

a311

5,789 posts

176 months

Friday 7th November 2014
quotequote all
Having seen various threads where the Muse has been mentioned it's on our short list. There's no deals on at the minute though so have been looking at the Continental which has various deals available-free upgraded room, breakfast, one where you get cocktails.

My Mrs has this thing where she want's a rooftop pool and bar but won't be buying many if £30 is the going rate in these sorts of establishments?!

Henry-F

4,791 posts

244 months

Friday 7th November 2014
quotequote all
We stayed in a beachfront villa at the Saboey Resort, Bophut when it opened a few years ago. Directly onto the beach, a great infinity pool and a pleasant stay.

Haven't been back to Kho Samui since, I think there's better places to visit but if you're going then have a look at it. Very low key intimate resort close to Fishermans Wharf.

Edited to say we rented a 4x4 at around £15 per day to get around the island. I really wouldn't entertain a moped. The consequences of an off simply don't stack up for a hundred quid saving (if there's 2 of you you'll need 2 mopeds).


Henry smile

Edited by Henry-F on Friday 7th November 20:18

rsv gone!

11,288 posts

240 months

Friday 7th November 2014
quotequote all
vixen1700 said:
We did like one little area though, Bo Phut was nice and quiet without the Sky Sports bars etc. Stayed at the Ziggy Stardust which was very relaxing and I'd recommend. smile
I stayed at the Gecko bar on Bo Phut in 2002. Bungalow was about 200b.

Now they've all been leveled and replaced by swanky big resorts.

PD9

Original Poster:

1,996 posts

184 months

Monday 10th November 2014
quotequote all
Hello all,

Thanks for the input and suggestions so far. Quick update on this; after various research we've ended up booking the Conrad in Bangkok; I feel it offered reasonable comfort and good location for our 3 night stay. Facilities look great and rooms really well proportioned.

Still on the hunt for locations in Ko Samui but will find time tonight to dig around and have a good browse. I've been keeping a close eye on the webcams and the weather at the moment looks okay - I've not seen any monsoons yet; with blue skies every time I've looked. Fingers crossed!


TheBMWDriver

591 posts

153 months

Saturday 22nd November 2014
quotequote all
PD9 said:
Hi Nobby

As you say the BKK hotels are at the higher end of the scale and this time of year there should be bargains to have. Any further info?
The Hansor is good if you can get it at around £100 per night, Luba state towers is also not bad but the breakfast is simply amazing, I have never seen such a large spread of food. We had a 3000 sq ft suite which made the stay there a little more special.

four season is a cut above the rests as is the MO. I noticed that the FS has very very good deal, as low as £120 per night!

Edited by TheBMWDriver on Saturday 22 November 12:06

Rib

2,548 posts

188 months

Monday 24th November 2014
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can I ask who going? (age group) and what you are after? I wasnt impressed with Koh Samui at all when I went. Too late now but I loved the Tower club at Lebua, however I wouldnt bother with the drinks at the top, crazy money, though the views are spectacular which is why I stay on one of the top floors as I get a fantastic hotel and the best views in the city.

the 3 places youve chosen are all quite touristy and obviously 2 beach locations, depending on what you want I certianly enjoyed both visits to Kanchanburi. Kanchanaburi itself is nothing special, but this place is worth a day of anyones life, one of the most spectaculer places Ive been too:

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g16...

I rented a red bus for the day (about 20quid) he took us up there then waited in his car all day making things untill we were done, alot of tours give you 2 hours, that is barely even enough time to get to the top and back.

The other place there I loved was this place:

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g29...

very different to most elephant set ups, spending the whole day watching them, feeding them, learning about them. they are not made to do tricks or take you for rides, just a very nice place for them to live.