Southern Thailand, Andaman side
Discussion
Realise that questions on Thailand are very frequent but looking for specific advice if possible.
Going to Thailand for a fortnight in Jan; plan so far is 2-3 days in Bangkok, 6 in Chiang Mai then fly south for 3 or 4 days before going back to Bangkok & home.
Am really stuck on where to go for the last part. My initial idea was to fly into Krabi and try to find a quiet resort - thought about Ko Jum but it looks like a pain to get to. Looked at Ao Nang too but hear different reports - some good, some bad.
Will be with the wife, we are both early 40's so not adverse to a bit of liveliness but far too old for the full-on moon parties and backpacker meccas!!
If anyone has a recommendation for a resort and/or island in the vicinity that might fit the bill it would be very appreciated.
Going to Thailand for a fortnight in Jan; plan so far is 2-3 days in Bangkok, 6 in Chiang Mai then fly south for 3 or 4 days before going back to Bangkok & home.
Am really stuck on where to go for the last part. My initial idea was to fly into Krabi and try to find a quiet resort - thought about Ko Jum but it looks like a pain to get to. Looked at Ao Nang too but hear different reports - some good, some bad.
Will be with the wife, we are both early 40's so not adverse to a bit of liveliness but far too old for the full-on moon parties and backpacker meccas!!
If anyone has a recommendation for a resort and/or island in the vicinity that might fit the bill it would be very appreciated.
I go there a lot, it's a great place it's 8 hours on a bike for me,
Look at map, krabbie to Trang, as you go closer to Trang you go back in time to what krabbie was 25 years ago, but public transport is scarce. Ko Lanta is great, I like pak meng, beach but only small local resorts, beaches are incredible you see very few Europeans.
Generally no big resorts.
I like yo yo beach south of pak meng but it is just grass roof huts on a fantastic beach.
South if Trang there is very little, Trang us a dump. Pm me if I can give you specific advice.
It's significantly cheaper than Krabbie etc.
Look at map, krabbie to Trang, as you go closer to Trang you go back in time to what krabbie was 25 years ago, but public transport is scarce. Ko Lanta is great, I like pak meng, beach but only small local resorts, beaches are incredible you see very few Europeans.
Generally no big resorts.
I like yo yo beach south of pak meng but it is just grass roof huts on a fantastic beach.
South if Trang there is very little, Trang us a dump. Pm me if I can give you specific advice.
It's significantly cheaper than Krabbie etc.
Been 10 years since we were there. Ao Nang town wasn't anything special (nor was the beach), but a short long-tail ride took you to Railay, or a short-day-trip boat excursion took you around the local islands, and a longer trip could take you round towards Phang Nga Bay.
So as a base it would be fine if you get a nice hotel. Be careful what you pick though as both Krabi and Ao Nang cover a huge geographic range in some travel agents eyes...
So as a base it would be fine if you get a nice hotel. Be careful what you pick though as both Krabi and Ao Nang cover a huge geographic range in some travel agents eyes...
I enjoyed the Holiday Inn resort on Ko Phi Phi. It's at the north, not in the backpacker bum town in the middle of the island, so it's much quieter, but has enough facilities at the resort to cater for most tastes - beach sitting, snorkeling off the beach, dive centre, ~4 shacks selling food in the evenings for a light touch amount of backpacker influence (and much better food pricing than the hotel restraunt).
We went there from Phulet island, but paid a bit extra to get a fast boat from just east of the airport directly to the resort beach - much faster and nicer than the backacker bum ferry. We took the ferry back and had one night on Phuket - complete waste of time, it's just a chav town for tourists that want to drink and do nothing, avoid. I'm sure there's an odd resort on Phuket that is nice, but the town is nothing.
The advantage of being near Phuket is all the infrastructure that the backpacker bums bring, so easy to get around, boats, shops, direct flights, etc.
We went there from Phulet island, but paid a bit extra to get a fast boat from just east of the airport directly to the resort beach - much faster and nicer than the backacker bum ferry. We took the ferry back and had one night on Phuket - complete waste of time, it's just a chav town for tourists that want to drink and do nothing, avoid. I'm sure there's an odd resort on Phuket that is nice, but the town is nothing.
The advantage of being near Phuket is all the infrastructure that the backpacker bums bring, so easy to get around, boats, shops, direct flights, etc.
I've stayed at https://www.angsana.com/en/thailand/laguna-phuket on Phuket. Nice posh resort, lots of beach bars and restaurants for cheap drinks and eats.
Our first trip to Thailand was similar - Bangkok, Chiang Mai and a southern island. We went for Koh Lanta and really enjoyed it. It's fairly quiet but not comatose, plenty of cheap restaurants and beach bars and you can easily day trip to Phi Phi island if you want to.
We're going to Thailand again in January and opting for Koh Chang this time for the island bit.
BTW - Krabi was a pleasant surprise. I had regarded it as a changeover/passing through kind of place but there's lots do for a couple of days. Has an airport too if you intend flying down from Chiang Mai.
Enjoy your trip.
We're going to Thailand again in January and opting for Koh Chang this time for the island bit.
BTW - Krabi was a pleasant surprise. I had regarded it as a changeover/passing through kind of place but there's lots do for a couple of days. Has an airport too if you intend flying down from Chiang Mai.
Enjoy your trip.
jhiker said:
Our first trip to Thailand was similar - Bangkok, Chiang Mai and a southern island. We went for Koh Lanta and really enjoyed it. It's fairly quiet but not comatose, plenty of cheap restaurants and beach bars and you can easily day trip to Phi Phi island if you want to.
We're going to Thailand again in January and opting for Koh Chang this time for the island bit.
BTW - Krabi was a pleasant surprise. I had regarded it as a changeover/passing through kind of place but there's lots do for a couple of days. Has an airport too if you intend flying down from Chiang Mai.
Enjoy your trip.
Where did you stay in Koh Lanta out of curiosity? Any recomendations?We're going to Thailand again in January and opting for Koh Chang this time for the island bit.
BTW - Krabi was a pleasant surprise. I had regarded it as a changeover/passing through kind of place but there's lots do for a couple of days. Has an airport too if you intend flying down from Chiang Mai.
Enjoy your trip.
How much do you want to pay, last year went there on the bike, my America mate pre booked at the Layana Beach Resort and Spa, nice but 200 US$ a night, very nice breakfast include, the rest of use refused to pay that and stayed at the Nakara Long beach resort, next door, Thai owned nice bungalow room with breakfast for two was 1200 Baht (around 30 pounds but its not as new as the web photos)
It was clean, nice pool and on same beach, OK breakfast, we would walk around the fence to have the free Cappuccino my mate was paying 200 US$ for.
Any where on Long Beach is nice further South it gets remote. Choice based on budget.
It was clean, nice pool and on same beach, OK breakfast, we would walk around the fence to have the free Cappuccino my mate was paying 200 US$ for.
Any where on Long Beach is nice further South it gets remote. Choice based on budget.
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