Flying Into Bangkok For 2 Days But Then Which Beach Resort?

[iim]

As per the title.

Definitely going to Thailand for my holiday and as I'll be landing in Bangkok I'd like to spend 2 nights there but then to keep the missus happy the next 12 days have to be at a beach resort - but which one?

Ideally I'd like something that looks like the brochures says it does and not some Benidorm style packed to the rafters beach.

All suggestions appreciated.

Cheers.

[willmcc]

For me Koh Samui is the place rather than the Phuket side, not a resort man but the islands are still great.

[AMG01]

iim said:

As per the title.

Definitely going to Thailand for my holiday and as I'll be landing in Bangkok I'd like to spend 2 nights there but then to keep the missus happy the next 12 days have to be at a beach resort - but which one?

Ideally I'd like something that looks like the brochures says it does and not some Benidorm style packed to the rafters beach.

All suggestions appreciated.

Cheers.

Planning on doing roughly the same thing, 12 days in total and looking to spend maybe 2/3 night in Bangkok, here is my topic with lots of useful answers

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[VEA]

We have stayed here:

http://phangan-rasananda.anantara.com/

I'll be honest, it's expensive even for Thailand. But it also doesn't get much better.

I'm actually on Koh Samui at the moment.
We're staying at http://www.kupuresorts.com/kohphangan/ next week as Rasananda was out of budget for this trip. I agree on the above about the Samui side being better than the Phuket side. Just steer clear of Chaweng and Haad Rin Beaches if you want it to be nice!

[Big Raff]

Phi Phi was great, as was Krabi,

I would recommend that side if you only have time for one, but you can do both quite easily

[Dan_1981]

We have a wedding next April in Lipa Noi, Koh Samui - so also looking for advice on cheapest flights etc and where to stay, and while we're out there what else to do.

[g3org3y]

Big Raff said:

Phi Phi was great

[iim]

Dan_1981 said:

We have a wedding next April in Lipa Noi, Koh Samui - so also looking for advice on cheapest flights etc and where to stay, and while we're out there what else to do.

Oy! Dan! How about you start your own thread then?

[Dan_1981]

iim said:

Dan_1981 said:

We have a wedding next April in Lipa Noi, Koh Samui - so also looking for advice on cheapest flights etc and where to stay, and while we're out there what else to do.

Oy! Dan! How about you start your own thread then?

Hi iim

[blueg33]

Koh Samui is nice but touristy, I really like Koh Samet, it is much more basic than other island type beach resorts but has a great atmosphere, isn't very crowded, has lovely beaches.

Avoid Mun Nork unless you are only going for a day (pretty place with dire accommodation) ps. Not worth going for a day as it takes ages to get there.

[havoc]

Time of year makes a difference to which 'side' you go to - they've got different monsoon seasons, with the Gulf of Thailand starting later but finishing later too.

Gulf of Thailand (Koh Samui etc.) has more 'surf' and more of a 'fun' atmosphere, in general.

Andaman coast (west side, inc. Phuket, Phi Phi and Krabi province) has the picture-postcard beaches and limestone karsts.

Both have quiet resorts and 'big' resorts, so again do some research first. Not been since Dec-07, so my advice may be slightly out-of-date as to what's developed now.


Oh - and Bangkok's fantastic...I'd spend 3-4 nights there if you're going - there's a good 3 days of stuff to do without going out to Ayutthaya or other out-of-town sights. Must-see's:-
- Royal Palace - stunning, utterly stunning
- Wat Arun - very cool
- Chatuchak market (if there at a weekend)
- Patpong market at night (just for the menus you get offered...)

Other stuff
- River cruise / possibly floating market (rather tourist-trap though)
- Temple of the reclining buddha
- Wat Po

[Mankers]

iim said:

As per the title.

Definitely going to Thailand for my holiday and as I'll be landing in Bangkok I'd like to spend 2 nights there but then to keep the missus happy the next 12 days have to be at a beach resort - but which one?

Ideally I'd like something that looks like the brochures says it does and not some Benidorm style packed to the rafters beach.

All suggestions appreciated.

Cheers.

Thailand has a great deal to offer and a large variety of things to do, I have spent probably 13 months or so there over the last 10 years. What are you looking for in your holiday? How old are you, are you looking for adventure and off the beaten track travel or package tour ease? When are you going? 12 days on one resort? I would personally split between two locations. Having visited bangers over 20 times 2 days is more than enough on a 2 week break. More info needed i think

[Nobby Diesel]

Mankers and Havoc have both knocked it on the screws.
When are you going? The beach experience will vary wildly, dependant on the time of your visit. Whilst Phuket and Samui might only be a few hundred km's apart at most, the weather patterns can be incredibly different.

You also need to say what your needs, wants, expectations and hopes are for your visit.

I have been visiting Thailand for 20+ years too and know that a few miles can make a massive difference to your experience. Ask away and we will answer.

[iim]

Ok chaps, the requirements:

2 days in Bangkok is really to let the missus rummage through the Markets whilst I sample the atmos/culture so thats simple enough - its really the other 12 days I'm unsure about.

I'm middle aged and all I really want is a clean white-sand beach like you see in the adverts. Not overcrowded a-la Benidorm style nor packed to the rafters with Brits on a booze fuelled 14 day bender.

I'd like to be in a place with enough bars/pubs/restaurants to keep us happy for 12 days and some streets with shops for the missus for when the beach bores her but again I don't really want a place that is soooo down market it sells kiss-me-quick hats etc.

In a nutshell: relaxed, not to teenagey but a modicum of nightlife, white sandy beach.

Oh, timing...I have 2 choices:

November to mid December (preferable)
January to whenever (do-able) and I understand the more usual if you want Hot weather which we do.

Hope this helps make it a bit clearer and again chaps I very much appreciate your time spent replying.

[Mankers]

ok, i dont think you will find anywhere that sells kiss me quick hats!

The two most commercial resorts are Patong on Phuket and Chaweng on Samui. Both have plenty of shopping, bars, white sandy beach etc. They are busy though so perhaps not what you are looking for.

Phi Phi may tick most of your boxes, it has built up a fair bit post Tsunami but still has a much better 'Island feel' than the two above. There are streets with markets (no roads in the small village) plenty of restaurants and bars. Can be a young vibe happening on Loh Dalam beach at night, but not too messy! If you fancy a bit more 'out of the way' stay on Long Beach and get a long tail taxi boat into town at night (10 mins). Google and youtube are your friends, you can get a good idea by checking the places I have mentioned on there.

Lanta is another option, but is a bit bigger, less developed and more spread out than the above.

Ao Nang (Krabi)and Railey beach could be another option.

My personal fav is Ko Lipe right down near Malaysia on the Andaman (phi phi) side. But if you are not used to travelling in Thailand could be a pain to get to. Fly Bangkok to Had Yai, 90 mins in a taxi to port (Pak bara), then 2-3 hours in a speed boat. Worth doing but prob not on your first trip, see pic below from my last visit there a couple of years ago. That's the view from my hut, was about £30 a night from memory....

Edited by Mankers on Sunday 21st April 19:56

[havoc]

Ao Nang or Phuket then. Dec should be ok on that side.

As Mankers says, Railay has the better beaches at Ao Nang, but unless you're up for 4* plus, you'll have to get a long tail over to the beaches.