South Western Thailand - where to go?

[v15ben]

Will be in Thailand around November/early December with the good lady and having visited Koh Phangan, Koh Tao and Koh Samui before, we want to head to the south western beaches/islands this time instead.

We'll probably have around 10 days/2 weeks in this part of the country and will also visit Chiang Mai, Pai and Bangkok as well as Vietnam/Cambodia/Laos/Burma/China.

Where would you recommend visiting in south western Thailand? I like a couple of beers, but not into the drugs/20 pints/passing out type scene and I'd like some quieter, relaxing beaches with decent snorkelling and some hiking/walking too.

Thoughts so far:
Krabi
Railay
Ko Phi Phi
Ko Similian

Every guide/blog that I read gives another island/beach I've never heard of which sounds like paradise so I'm after some first-hand experience from the wise folks of PH.

[XJSJohn]

For somewhere that the average Thai beach tourist does not get to ... Koh Rok Nok and Koh Rok Nai

http://www.kohrokthailand.com/

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g2939...

Its rather off the beaten path being quite a long way offshore. If you can stay the night it is fantastic from sunrise to about 11 am when the first go fast boats start to arrive.

I have never been there on tourist boats, only on private sailing boats (which if you can blag it is definitely the best way!!)

Will dig out a few pictures of the last time i was there!

[v15ben]

Thanks, John.

I'll have a look into both of those, they look really good to me.

I was returning to edit and add, "How about over the border in north west Malaysia?" Just wondering if there are better options over there as visas/transport are easy enough.

[XJSJohn]

NW malaysia is really just Langkawi if you are staying close to the border.

There are some great Thai islands just across the border but i don't think any tourist boats go to them, mostly just sailboats and local fisher,en.

Which fortunately / unfortunately makes them some of the best and most unspoiled islands in Thailand!

How many of you going? Could always look at Chartering a yacht from someone like SunSail and going for an explore yourself?

[v15ben]

Just me and the good lady, possibly a friend up from Singapore for a few days.

We'll be on a bit of a budget as were travelling round a lot of SE Asia and China too for around 3-4 months although the sailing idea sounds fabulous.

Koh Rok looks ideal. So far my thoughts are Krabi (Railay), Koh Lanta, Koh Rok and Koh Phi Phi over 2 weeks or so. A bit much?

[XJSJohn]

sounds fine to me!

[v15ben]

Plus an overnight in Georgetown to extend the Thai visas if we need to.

[XJSJohn]

you should get a 1 months visa anyway!

[v15ben]

Coming in overland from Laos so only a 15 day visa for tourists these days.