Hi,
We are planning to stay at Pimalai or Layana on 4th of May till 17th of May for honeymoon vacation. Any advise about beach condition, please? What tide season is normal for the beach in May? Is it low? Is it possible for swimming? Are there rocks in the sea?
Many thanks in advance.
Hi,
I%26#39;m travelling to Thailand in a couple of weeks, currently in Oz. I%26#39;ve just been checking the visa situation and have found out that if you travel into Thailand overland you only get a 15 day visa. I%26#39;ve got a flight to Kuala Lumpur, and was planning to get the train up into Thailand and stay there for about 30 days....I%26#39;m guessing this could be a problem?!?!
Does anyone know if there is anyway of getting round this, or if the 15 day visa could be extended once you get into Thailand??
If anyone knows anything about the trains in Malaysia/Thailand as well that would be great. I%26#39;m meeting people in Ko Samui on the 3rd April so was probably going to try and get the train straight there from Kuala Lumpur once I arrive.
No way around the 15 day visa waiver for travelling overland. Extensions will likely only get you 7 extra days - if they decide to give it, and you have to apply at an immigration office. Fly in on Air Asia (or any other airline) and get 30 days.
Hi, a Q before I fly Air Asia n Dec 12th. Is confirmation required? Tried their website, can%26#39;t find answer and tried to call them...I was on hold until my international call card finished...
Ant help will be appreciated!
no reconfirmation is required. just present your E-ticket to the counter
Thank you for your quick reply!
I have tow Air Asia fly on same day with about 4-5 hours between the 2 flies. KK - KL and KL- PNN.
So what happen if the 1st Air Asia fly is delayed and I miss the 2nd Air Asia fly because of late arrival??
Tks.
pH
from its website, the on time performance is 86%!
but you can check the compensation due to the delay more than 2 hours of scheduled flights here
www.airasia.com/site/in/en/page.jsp鈥?/a>
i received an email from Air Asia 2 weeks ago stating that my flight time had been re-timed to 3 hours later than the original departure time that i booked in Nov last year. think you can send your inquiry to the mail below
-----Urspr眉ngliche Nachricht-----
Von: Jutarat Laophram %26lt;jutaratl@airasia.com%26gt;
Gesendet: 01.03.09 10:02:05
but i think 4-5 hours should not be a problem. i experienced a delay for 4 hours once but most flights were on time
Hi,
I%26#39;m planning on touring South East Asia, a new area for me, but I don%26#39;t know how long to spend there. I want to see some temples, but not loads!
I%26#39;m planning on flying into Bangkok and straight onto Cambodia, Viet-nam, Laos, Thailand, Malaysia, then Singapore, then flying back to Bangkok to go home! -most of the time taking buses instead of domestic flights.
I%26#39;ve got the lonely planet guide, and decided that maybe Cambodia is worth 2 weeks, and I%26#39;m thinking 3 weeks in Viet-nam, 1 week in Laos, 2 in Thailand, and about 10 days doing Malaysia and Singapore as well as flying back to Bangkok. In all, about 9 1/2 weeks. Is this reasonable?
It%26#39;s from September - November/beg December. - What is the weather likely to be like please?
Please suggest and criticise, as I%26#39;m a novice to this area and have no idea, so I%26#39;ve been making guesses!
Thanks,
Andy
Sounds very reasonable and as you begin to firm up on destinations you could come back to this great forum to ask specific questions.
A few things to think about in the meantime:
a) Your Visa situation in each country and how/where to obtain when necessary, in cost and time.
b) Perhaps consider not back tracking to avoid extra cost eg, you are flying into Bangkok, then coming back to Thailand to tour, and then returning to Bangkok to return home. You may be able to do your travel in a more straight line instead of in a circle - ie in at one location and return home from another. Will save heaps in time and cash.
c) Public transport is quite good in SE Asia and will include trains, buses, trucks and motor cycles. Quite slow, but a wonderful way to see countries, meet the locals and other travellers. Domestic flights can be reasonable too.
Weather will be good at that time of year.
Do some %26#39;%26#39;searches%26#39;%26#39; in the box at the top of this forum, and for other countries, great source of free and concentrated knowledge. Good Luck!
Hey Andy!
I am soooo jealous! I spent 6 weeks in Thailand on my honeymoon ages ago and am now returning with my entire family. 2 weeks for Thailand seems like too little for me. We are going for 3 weeks in July and I can barely seem to fit everything in that I want to do. I know that in Thailand it is the rainy season. I think that you can work around the weather because I don%26#39;t believe that it rains all day every day. I also believe that the rainy season is somewhat varied around the country. Do a search for more exact info.
My sister-in-law recently went to Cambodia and Laos and said that Laos was amazing, but she wasn%26#39;t too thrilled with Cambodia (not sure why). I don%26#39;t know how old you are, but I was also in Singapore on my honeymoon and I would skip it. It felt like one huge antiseptic shopping mall. People were nice, but it was lacking the vibrancy of the other countries that you are looking at. Vietnam should also be great and I%26#39;m hoping to make a small excursion there after Thailand.
You can sort of just arrive in Bangkok and sort things out as you go. I love not feeling pressured on this type of trip and you never know who you might meet and where you might feel like going. Anyway....enjoy and I%26#39;m sure that no matter what you do, it will be fantastic!
Debbie
Hi,
Thanks for the advice, in answer to the questions, I%26#39;m 20 and not bothered at all about shopping, so Singapore could be dropped from the list.
Also, I tried fying into one place and out the other, but a return to Bangkok (拢450) is only a little more than a single, but to fly to Singapore and out of somewhere like Hanoi seems to cost a lot more annoyingly.
So 3 weeks would seem like a good amount of time in Thailand then?
Thanks!!
Andy
Also, would you say a mixture of coachsurfing and hosteling is the way to go, so I don%26#39;t get a bit lonely, but still soak up as much culture as possible? - or would it be possible to stay with families for a fee in some areas of SE Asia?
Thanks!!
Hi,
';Also, would you say a mixture of coachsurfing and hosteling is the way to go, so I don%26#39;t get a bit lonely, but still soak up as much culture as possible? - or would it be possible to stay with families for a fee in some areas of SE Asia?';
You could stay with a local family, as you say, soak up the culture. Check it out here - http://www.travelblog.org/fred.php?id=263771
Often travelers forget the Responsible travel part - to see first-hand how your money benefits local people and communities. A supplementary income enables a better quality of life in small villages and a chance to share their culture, history and lifestyle with the outside world.
PM,if you need more info.
I would do about 10 days in Cambodia (depending how much you really want to see) but you will need more than 1 week in Laos.. I have just come back from there, and spent 2 weeks (and it was a rushed visit of the North!)... the transport is slow and unreliable and everything is spaced far apart...
For some ideas feel free to look through my blogs at www.travelblog.org/bloggers/reet
Another great website I use to plan my travel (and it had fantastic itineraries for South East Asia, as well as really informative %26#39;Feature Stories%26#39; on everything possible thing you need to know is www.travelfish.org
Reet xx
You are getting excellent advice and references on TA. The key as a young man, is to decide what are the cultural and natural aspects that you need to immerse in; in addition to connecting with people your age that may have valuable tips to shape your travel choices.
Thailand offers Bangkok%26#39;s Khaosan Rd backpackers hang out with good guest houses, American breakfasts, lotsa beer,padthai, travel agents, good money changers and cheap clothes and trinkets. The big payoff is first hand traveller info,for all of SE Asia. Also help getting visas to Vietenam and inexpensive travel arrangements and small group tours. The southern beaches are more scenic with the touristy things aformentioned. Northern Thailand also caters to tourism, but trekking and hill tribes, visits overland/water/air to Laos, Myanmar and China offer more laid back travel solutions over big and busy Bangkok as a hub. Vietnam north to south (Sapa to the Mekong Delta and beyond) by train/bus is usually 3 weeks to 4 weeks depending on your notion of chill out time at each stop. Many use this route and head overland/water to Cambodia. The most reliable low cost airline is Air Asia. It might save you time and wear and tear on ho hum bone jarring overnight bus rides. They fly just about every where for around $50 to $60 one way and now you can book and pick your seat on line for a fee. Bangkok and KL are their dominant hubs for domestic and regional routes.
Yes, santized Singapore is not for the young at heart. It%26#39;s a good behaviour corporate culture at work and in the streets. Not a place to get culturally involved. Too many BMW%26#39;s and Mercedes that patiently drive by as opposed to using the passing lane and risk offending the cops. Malaysia is a country hellbent on infrastructure modernization. That means it%26#39;s transportation by land and air is inexpensive, comfortable and likely the best in SE Asia. Food, specially protein portions are more generous and less soupy. But do not count on 900 year old temples; just more colonial and contemporay wonders. Of this melange Penang and Melaka have interesting historical assets and small enough to cover in a day or two. Malaysia does have some fair natural beaches and rain forests. You might be there at a good time for this.
Make the best of every surprise and you will not miss a thing.
can someone kindly how far in klong toey port to silom area.. my cruise ship is dropping us off there, i am just wondering if it is easy to get a cab from the port to silom area,even late at night?
It would take half and hour or less,depending on time of day. Are you sure it%26#39;s Kong Toey Port? As only small ships use that city center port, larger ships use Laem Chabang port in Chonburi province, about an hour from Bangkok.
yes, it is a small cruise.. only for 700 passengers.. would you know if there is any mtr or subway station at the pier or withing walking distance? is it easy to get a cab at the pier?
Should not be a problem to get a taxi there. The nearest MRT station is a good 25 minute walk.
Hi i have just booked to stay here for 8 nights in june, has anyone stayed here before? We have booked room only, i have read there are a few restaurants in the little village next to the hotel, does anyone know how much it costs for a meal, drinks etc?
thanks
hi based on 2 people 2 courses and a couple of beers each you will get change from 20 pounds or a 1000 baht;a bit more for king prawns or lobster.
Hi
I have stayed at the holiday inn 3 times. There are lots of restaurants just along the road from the hotel, prices vary from a few pounds to 10 pounds, it is not expensive. The local people are lovely and will give you lots of advice on where to eat and drink.
We stayed at the Holiday Inn 18 mnths ago and have booked to go back this year.if you walk thru reception theres a small concrete path running towards the taxi%26#39;s,just walk down that and turn Left (i think) which will take you to the village where theres loads of places to eat also tailors,supermarkets and laundries (get laundry done for about £10 sterling washed and ironed)Taxis will take you to Hua Hin fairly cheaply where theres also places to eat.We paid about £10 sterling in the village for 2 courses each and a drink.The hotel itself isn%26#39;t really that expensive and food is good and varied.Enjoy the trip.
There are also cheap places to eat in Cha Am along the beach road and lots of cheap eats if you go into Hua Hin in the evenings, lots of snacks around the night market area and street stalls but a good choice of restaurants and bars in the center of town.
There are also cheap places to eat in Cha Am along the beach road and lots of cheap eats if you go into Hua Hin in the evenings, lots of snacks around the night market area and street stalls but a good choice of restaurants and bars in the center of town.
There are also cheap places to eat in Cha Am along the beach road and lots of cheap eats if you go into Hua Hin in the evenings, lots of snacks around the night market area and street stalls but a good choice of restaurants and bars in the center of town.
There%26#39;s a really nice beach restaurant (well there are several, but this one was my favourite) - turn left onto the beach from the Holiday Inn, pass the Regent Chalet resort, continue along the beach and cross a water inlet - The Little Cha-Am is just across the inlet. Lovely welcoming staff, friendly pet dogs, excellent pad thai and the best fruit salads ever! Great place for relaxed lunch or a very late breakfast - going back this May and intend to try it out in the evening too (think we%26#39;ll take a tuk tuk rather than cross the water inlet in the dark}. The village restaurants are also fun in the evenings, so cheap compared to UK prices.
The hotel runs a shuttle service into Hua Hin - there are plenty of restaurants there too. Ate at a very good place at the night market (don%26#39;t know the name), also plenty of places to choose from along the road closest to the beach - I think the last shuttle back to the hotel left Hua Hin just after 11pm
If you decide to stay out later in Hua Hin there are a/con taxis and vans available 24 hrs.From Hua Hin to Holiday Inn Cha Am I %26#39;think%26#39; it would be around B 200-250 but perhaps someone can update on that, remember that is per taxi so not per person.
I know this hotel has had a soft opening, but has anyone staid there?? Is it finished?
I have booked a 2 weeks stay there come next march and was wondering if the actual rooms are anything like the architectural drawings?
This will be my fourth time to Krabi - I love this place.
Anyone?
I have just booked two nights in this hotel next week through ';agoda';. It was less than USD 270 for a superior grande room with breakfast for two. Shame there is only one of me! I looked at alot of cheaper options but as this is my first trip to Krabi may as well do it in style. I will let you know how I find it when I get back.
I just had a drive past in the other day - it looks really nice, very modern and unlike any other hotel in Aonang.
Seems finished to me, but there is building going on next door for a new hotel
Thanks guys!
naej -let meh know ok.
thanks
Hi all
We are also looking at staying here next May.
Lost Farang - Can you please let me know if this is right on the beach in Ao Nang, or do you have to cross the road, thanks.
Also, does it have many restaurants and bars within walking distance.
Appreciate your help.
Cheers
Amanda
No, its not right on the beach, in fact only 3 resorts are. But it is in 5 mins walk to restaurants. The rate of expansion since i have been living here is unreal, but it looks great.
Hi All,
Does anyone know the website for this hotel and also the Small Hotel
Cheers,
Stewie.
I have stayed here it is very nice, do not know the website, try googleing it.
How far from the beach are the villa%26#39;s?Also what is the beach like? Is it crowded? Clean? Is this a good place for a family of four with two young children?
thank you!
Close to the beach, but you really qwould be stuck without your own transport. Quiet beach area.
If you are a family had you thought obout the beach hotels and beach resorts? Many have kid%26#39;s club with lots of family facilities.
Courtyard by Marriott Cha Am, Holiday Inn Cha Am and others plus those in nearby Hua Hin.
There are also Blue Lagoon suites and you can use the facilities of the Sheraton for a nominal charge.
Hi Delhi!
We liked Cha Am as a delightful escape from the frenetic pace in Bangkok, and less heavily touristed than the Eastern Shore and Phuket.
There are a couple of dozen hotels and resorts stretched along the several-kilometers-long beach, with the swanker places at the northern end. There are a number of less expensive hotels and cabins on side streets, within one block of the beach.
No hotels are actually located literally on the beach. The closest are on the landward side of the beachfront road. To go from any hotel to the beach, you must at least walk cross the beach front highway.
We stayed at the swank Methavalai Hotel for about US$75. Nearby, we saw a selection of less expensive places nearby, with names like ';A Good Clean Hotel'; (it%26#39;s official name, not necessarily a description of the property), the ';Green House,'; and ';Sweet Home Resort'; with its teak cabins and teak swing sets for each unit (and I emphasize that I investigated none of these places; I%26#39;m just looking at the signage that appear in some of my pictures).
We did not find Cha Am crowded, and it seemed to be clean. A number of people were bathing in the Gulf of Thailand.
We liked it a lot.
Happy travels, and let me know if I can help further!
David
capetien10@gmail.com
That is the main central beach in Cha Am. South of central Cha Am the beach stretches down to Hua Hin, Holiday Inn, Springfield, Dusit Tani, Courtyard by Marriott, Alila etc are all right on the beach with no beach road to cross.
I agree with David Methavalai is good for the price for a family and there are a lot of inexpensive places too.
We just come back from Talay Samran and I want to tell everyone about it. It%26amp;acute;s a beautiful resort with 4 swimming pools on a deserted beach.We individual villas and a small apartment block set in lovely landscaped gardens. It so clean and well maintained and is run like a hotel with made service, a reception, gym, sauna, maid service, restaurant, shuttle bus, security etc. It%26amp;acute;s in a quiet location, but within easy reach of Cha am beach and Hua Hin. A fantastic escape for those wanting a luxury hotel, but with your own apartment or villa. Plus it%26amp;acute;s really cheap! I really had an amazing time there and want to leave.
How often do they do the shuttle ? Is that into Cha Am or Hua Hin, that would be important for the poster because I thought the only down side would be the transport to get to other places, do they charge or is it a free shuttle ?
thank you for the info!
Is the beach in the area clean. A good place for little children to play. Do you have to cross a rd from this property to get to the beach?
Yes, I%26#39;m afraid you will have to walk across the road. Everyone does it, and the cars were not going all that fast. No hotel is directly on the beach. The closest places to the water are on the landward side of the ocean-front road, with others on the perpendicular side streets.
We saw lots of people bathing in the Gulf of Thailand water, there there were no obvious health warnings.
If you want family hotels that are right on the beach Holiday Inn and Courtyard by Marriott in the Cha am area, in the Hua Hin area Marriott Resort is right on the beach, so also the Hyatt though that is more expensive but both with kid%26#39;s clubs and both right on the beach, also right on the beach Sofitel and there are also cheaper places and some villa suites that are right on the beach. Hilton is on the beach but high rise and beach there not the best but you can walk along around Sofitel area nearby which is much better. Courtyard by Marriott and Marriott resort both have good deals going, Courtyard by Marriott does special family packages and some include some free extras, worth looking at.
I%26#39;m a bit confused because different websites show different locations for Vie Hotel. Even Google Earth indicate several locations for this hotel.
Does anyone knows the real exact location?
Thanx
The hotel%26#39;s own website should be accurate:
accorhotels.com/gb/鈥ocation.shtml
VIE Hotel is on Phaya Thai Road, directly south of the Ratchathewi BTS Station (you look onto the hotel from the south end of the platform). The Asia Hotel is more or less across the street. I took a tour of the VIE a few weeks ago. Very beautiful luxury hotel.
How long does it take to get a custom, tailored suit made in Bangkok?
How many visits do you need to make to the store for measurement and etc...?
We will be in bangkok for 2 nights at the beginning of our trip (travelling south around islands for 2 weeks) and then 2 nights at the end of our trip, will need to know if i have enough time to get a few made.
Is it best to ship them home? I live in Vancouver, Canada
Any idea how much it is to ship to Vancouver canada from bangkok? Will most likely be shipping a big box home of Clothes...
any help would be appreciated! Thanks
Just noticed that you will be travelling South Thailand.
Dont worry too much about getting your clothes made up in Bangkok in a rush. Islands in South Thailand that cater to tourist have many tailor shops that can provide you with custom made clothings within a day or two if needed.
My advice is to always spare a few days for fittings say 2-4 so that your tailor gets a chance to make any alterations if needed before providing you with the fisnished products.
I would avoid the shipping of clothes because they will add up to the cost and the finished product.
If you are happening to visit Koh Samui then visit
Timmys Masschneider in Chaweng Beach next to Chaba Cabana Hotel.
http:www.timmystailor.com.
I had a few friends of mine visit him in the past and they were very satisfied with the quality and worksmanship.
4 nights that you have is enough for a tailored suit cuz you%26#39;ll have the first 2 to decide on fabrics and possibly a first fitting and when you do get back you have time for the remaining fittings. If you can%26#39;t get them done up in time, shipping home is an option.
If in Bangkok, I%26#39;d also recommend Crown Tailors on suk 8 as the place for you to head. They would do a good job.
Thank-you for your response, I quickly checked out the website and it looks good.
Any idea or approx price i may pay for say a hugo boss or armani style/fabric suit? here they cost approx $1000-$2000 cdn
Cheers,
J%26amp;S
US $ 200-250 for a reasonable one is good anything in the cheap range is probabily 100% polyester - the advice if you are getting one in BKK look around in a few shops as I have also heard of people getting ripped.
$250 sounds about right for a good suit!.
Note that the cost will totally depend on the material used! My tailor is using the also the finest good materials ans of course he has also the local standard basic materials too.
This is my/our normal procedure as well: recommend to go to the tailor as the first thing in BKK, have one fitting before leaving for the islands and after return, one more fitting.
Collect the clothing before departure as if you ship the home, there will also be taxes added to the value.
I have been using the same tailor now 19-20 years and he%26#39;s the only one I trust. You can ask more info if needed. Remember also that all taikors adverising suits, trousrds, skirts for 100-1200 usd are not reliable ans cheap n good does still not exist. Tailors next to or in connection to hotels are usually tourist traps!
Bangkok is always the best place to get suits made since they cater the business section of the Thailand.
My friends and the expats that i know normally use Excelsior and all of them have been happy it is best you have 2 initial fitting before you leave for the islands.
From Thailand it is best to use the normal post which is not that expensive.
You can check the rates at www.thailandpost.co.th
Cheers
Its best to make an appointment before you go.
I have tried many tailors in bangkok and was the most happy at Excelsior and would surely recommend them once again.
Hello,
Why don`t you buy it from any shop, now many online stores are also selling custom tailored suits, they fits well and look cool.
Regards,
coolsarahj
customsuitsshirts.com/Mens-Custom-Suits-orde鈥?/a>
wondering should my friends book a resort in chaweng for may or can they get cheaper when they get there for 2 to 3 weeks
i will be there in april should i book when im there then 4 them
Try and book now as you will probably have a better chance of getting free nights. We are going in May also for 14 nights pay 7 get 7 free
Hello
In my opinion the days of a cheaper walk in rate are pretty much gone so in my opinion there is nothing to be gained by waiting till you get there.
You could book for them whilst you`re there which isn`t a bad idea as they can tell you some resorts the`re interested in %26amp; you can see first hand for them what they are like as sometimes the pics on the web embellish resorts.
Hope this helps
Jamie
Hi David,
Do you mind telling where you%26#39;re staying that you got the stay 7/get 7 free deal? The most I%26#39;ve seen is stay 7 get 2 and then you have to pay more than normal for extra nights.
Thanks!
I agree with jamie, just arriving you won%26#39;t have had a chance to compare the prices or read reviews, so you won%26#39;t know whether you are getting a good deal or not. Quite a few places have free night deals.
Hi Gertrudelouise
Have booked a deluxe villa at Chaba Cababa for 14 nights. Pay 7 get 7 free. The only extra charge is for breakfast on the 7 free nights. Got the same deal last year also. We did book with our travel agent before Xmas so they may of changed the deals since. The brochure we had which was current up until the end of March 09 had the get 14 pay for 7 in it. Have since seen the latest brochure and the same deal is not in it. Get your travel agent to try for the free nights.
Cheers
David
Im looking to travel to Koh Samui in mid may, ive decided to try Choeng Mong and have a short list of 4 hotels :
IMPERIAL BOATHOUSE
BANANA FAN SEA
BURI RASA
LE PARADISE
Can anyone help with which is the best value for money, im not the richest guy in the world but at the same time want somewhere nice for my fiance.
Could anyone recomend a good site for deal or is it better to book a flight seperate and contact the hotel direct ?
thanks
Jonboy
we book our hotel through www.agoda.com . they always have the best prices for the hotels we have been staying in.
Imperial Boathouse seem to have some good deals on Wotif. We are looking at booking for the beginning of June so have been watching the prices closely.
Always compare rates, they can vary a lot, also look for those that ask you for a credit card before they can even confirm or not and then some that offer alternatives.
Others do %26#39;not%26#39; ask you for any credit card details, once they confirm to you allow you a few days, then just want 1 night as a deposit and balance a few weeks ahread, that saves you either paying ccard interest or loosing interest on money in the bank.
Plenty of places you can compare hotel rates asia and worth checking / shopping around. Asiaoz compare hotel rates lets you compare Sawadee ( very good in my experience ) with lots of others so see who has the best rate and the payment style that you want.
IMHO book it yourself,
try a comparison site for hotels and your flights then go to the airline and hotels own web sites to compare.
I use www.travelsupermarket.com but theres loads more as others have mentioned try em all for the best deal.
hi,
ill be arriving at bangkok on a sunday afternoon and was wondering what time does chatuchak close and if i can reach there in time.
thanks !
Best to get there before 6pm... many stallholders start packing up at dusk.
I am planning to visit Thailand in May for 10 days.Planning to visit Bangkok, Pattaya, Krabi and Phuket. Would be taking flight from Delhi to Bangkok and back. If I would like to avoid flights within Thailand, then what route would be best.
How many hours would it take between bangkok-pattaya ; bangkok-krabi ; bangkok-phuket and krabi-phuket???
What places would be best to visit in these cities??
Bangkok-Pattaya - about 2 hours by bus.
Bangkok-Krabi, Bangkok-Phuket - about 1 hour to fly, about 11 hours by bus.
Krabi-Phuket - 2-3 hours by bus.
There is so much diversity and variety in Thailand, from large and busy resorts to small quiet locations, beaches and islands range from very quiet to %26#39;packed out%26#39; so you can find plenty of options.
It comes down to how you want to spend your time, 10 days is not so long, I would cut down the number of places.
tell us how you want to spend days, whether lazing on a beach or around a pool or if you want to do sightaseeing - if so whether you are into beaches and say snorkeling or whether you like national parks and culture etc.
Also how important shopping and nightlife etc would be.
Bangkok will be your best for shopping. You can travel by road (bus) from bangkok to Pattaya and also down the coast to islands such as Koh Samet or Koh Chang, you can also bus or train south from Bangkok along the coastal towns and beaches and then ferry to islands such as Koh Tao, Koh Phangan and Koh Samui.
For krabi or Phuket it is flights or a very long probably 13 hours plus bus.
Is it better to take a flight from BKK to Phuket or Bkk-Krabi. Cost wise which one would be better.Apart from thai airways and Bangkok air is there any more better option which would be more economical??
Sight-seeing is my priority. but don%26#39;t wnat to see repeated things. Like if I have seen temples in one place would prefer seeign somethign else at the next place.
Fly BKK to Krabi with Air Asia, or BKK to Phuket with Air Asia or Nok Air, booked on the internet. Cost is around 1500 baht, depending on how far ahead you book.
We will be visiting Krabi for the first time in July this year. We had planned on booking a room at the new Sala Talay, but I just wanted to hold back a bit, as there weren%26#39;t too many reviews on the hotel as yet. Today I found some reviews on another hotel booking website, and 3 people said, that they had lots of mosquitoes there. Can anybody confirm this? As it is a new hotel, there is not so much feedback yet, but perhaps someone here on Tripadvisor has stayed at or next to (unfortunately I don%26#39;t know which hotels are close by) the Sala Talay can give me some information.
Any help is greatly appreciated!
Hi Ducktrio,
Thanks for your PM. I%26#39;m sure the resort will be fine. I have read on Agoda the reviews which seem to be quite good! I also read about the mosquitos, but this cannot really be helped. Mosquitos are everywhere in Thailand, you just need to make sure you protect yourself.
I will write a review on this hotel when i return 1st May along with many pics of the resort
Many thanks,
Izzy
Hi Izzy,
sounds good! Have a great holiday, and I%26#39;m looking forward to your review.
ducktrio
hi can anyone tell me whether we need to look out for scams in chiang mai, like as in Bangkok? not worried just want to be prepared!
What do you mean by scams....As in...Chris
sorry did not make myself very clear. i am asking about touts outside of Wats, tuk tuk drivers, gem scams etc. any advice welcome.
Hi Nessie
I was in Chaing Mai in January for 3 weeks and there didn%26#39;t appear to be anything to worry about. It is NOT at all like Bangkok so no worries.
I loved Chaing Mai and planning another trip back in 2010
CHIANG MAI THAILAND NAMED BEST DESTINATION IN TRIPADVISOR鈥橲 ...Chiang mai Thailand, 2008 was chosen as a best destination in Asia by TripAdvisor庐 in the 2008 Travelers鈥?Choice庐 Destinations Awards. ...
openchiangmai.com/calendar_events_CHIANG_MAI鈥?/a>
Check this out ..
Chiang Mai is nothing like Bangkok, but in saying that tuk tuk drivers will always charge more than most other modes of transportation. When you arrive familiarise yourself with the areas and speak with other travellers about prices they are paying. Personally I walk or catch songthaews.
Hi nessie55,
We had our second visit to Chang Mai the end of December 08. We never felt anyone was trying to take us for a ride the whole time we were there.
The people we dealt with were really sincere in the tourist places also just mixing with the locals at the markets %26amp; streets were very welcoming.
Chang Mai is a great place to visit. Enjoy. CJ
There have been a couple of reports on the Net of a small jewelry scam going on (similar to the Grand Palace one in Bangkok) but besides that.... nothing.. Use your common sense, that%26#39;s all it takes!
I can remember when my brother and I were traveling in Mexico in the early 1980s. We were in Oaxaca near some ruins and a man walked out from behind a mound. He had a small shovel and a backpack and was dirty. He held up a little figure that he said he had just dug from the dirt.
Scams? They are everywhere and probably if it is too good to be true than it probably is. There are also dishonest people everywhere.
The Thais are generally a happy folk, thus the land of the smiles motto.
However, they are quick to charge more and offer less when they see a foreign face, thus the bargaining.
There are people passing off fake Rolex watches, silk, gems and even some men passing themselves off as women. Let the buyer beware.
Hi. Just flown back from BKK with Qatar Airways through Doha. We had a 5 hour stopover and fancied a beer!!! We decided to pay for a Visa, which is so easy. Instead off going through Transit, go straight to the Immigration/Passport Control desks and ask for a Tourist Visa. No problem. It costs around 100 Rial (拢20). You get out off the airport and you can get a beer. The nearest hotel is the Marriott. 5 minute drive. Our Taxi cost 70 Rial (拢14), but im sure you can get a cheaper one. The only restaurant/bar that was open. Was the Salsa Restaurant. The staff were very helpfully and friendly.
It was more interesting than waiting at the airport.
Worth the money!! :)
Maidee
Extremely expensive beer.
Hi Bill2p
Beer was expensive. Between 拢7 and 拢9. But worth it while on holiday!
I make that 拢59, counting the visa and taxi back and forth. Hope it was a VERY good beer. ;-)
Oh yes! Worth every penny. You only love once. :)
Sorry! You only LIVE once
Hi can you tell me wot time the market closes on sunday night. Many thanks.
Sunday market will close 11 pm. but most of the shop will pack thier stuff around 10.45 pm.
The street will open 11.pm not over than that.
Thankyou we land at 20.10 staying at Le Meridien So hope we can have a look around.
Le Meridien is next to Night Bazaar. This bazaar is open every night. If you only mean the Sunday Market, then you will have to take a tuk tuk from le Meridien to Sunday market, otherwise you will be too late.
Tony
Both Carabao and Job2Do are playing on Friday April 10th at the Music festival in Loma Park during Phuket Bike Week.
Carabao is the most popular Thai rock group of all time. The group was formed in 1976 by university students Yuenyong Opakul (Aed) and Kirati Promsaka Na Sakon Nakhon (Khiao) who met while studying in the Philippines. The word carabao is Tagalog meaning ';buffalo';, a symbol of fighting, hard working and patience. They are known for their %26#39;phleng pheua chiiwit%26#39; or %26#39;songs for life%26#39;. This kind of music came to prominence through the protest songs of the 1970s political upheaval in Thailand. Carabao have blended the acoustic/folk style of %26#39;peua chiwit%26#39; with other forms of Thai music, western rock and country music, and various kinds of world music like Latin music and reggae, earning such labels as %26#39;ethnic rockers%26#39; and %26#39;Kings of 3Cha%26#39; or %26#39;Rolling Stones of Asia.
Job2Do (Job Bunjob) is the number one Thai Reggae Band and has made reggae music very popular in Thailand.
Flying into BKK on the 31st of this month, be there for a couple of days then getting a flight down to Samui and heading across for the FMP.
Im looking to get to Ko Phangan for around the 3rd/4th and the FMP is on the 9th, will there be plenty of room for a walk in in most hotels or should i book now? Also for anyone with experience, is it best to stay on the island or get the boat over from Samui for the night?
Thanks.
We walked in the night before a full moon party, about 18 months ago. Around Haad rin, the hotels get very busy, some with min 5 night stay. you can stay further away from Haad rin and get better accomodation for beter rates. You are more likely to be able to barter the price down.
I would recommend staying in Phangan. It isn%26#39;t as developed as Samui, however it is very relaxed and is great to relax for a coupl of days.
We will be there for full moon party 9th April as well.
if you are arriving that many days ahead of the FMP just turn up
there will be loads of places to stay and choose from
also, i would stay on kpg for the whole time instead of just getting a boat over for the FMP night
the night itself is only part of it. the week before and after is also great to be there
I will be arriving in ko samui in april and would like to know how much it will cost from the airport to q signature in a taxi. Do i need to get a specific type of taxi and do i agree a price before i get in.
Thanks in advance.
We got a taxi at the airport. It was a private car, I thinkwe paid 500 baht-non negotiable, however the hotel chargeed us I think either 300 or 400 baht to return when we left.
Which one is ';better'; Koh Ngai or Koh Mook?
Time of the visit is mid December.
1. Has clear waters right on the beach?
And blue waters? :)
2. Is not very crowded all day (or has some more quiet beaches)?
3. Is good for walks or slow bicycle rides?
We are thinking to stay 1 or 2 nights...
Hi,
Never been there but i heard that Koh Mook is really nice humm must try to find out more about it too
hi there! i heard the new dusitd2 design hotel is just open in pattaya... did anyboby already stay there? from the the web site looks great. thank you for your comments. alvaro
Hi alvaro,
I actually have just got back from the hotel which I stayed at during the new years. Once again the dusit group of hotels have done a fantastic job at this property. Eventhough its not officially open, all facilities seem to be up and running with the same kind of energetic staff they have in chaing mai. I had what they call a ';bubbling breakfast'; where they actually serve free flow champagne during breakfast!!
they have also got a bar called ';deep bar'; (ironic because its actually on the 2nd or 3rd floor) with facinating decor %26amp; played smooth tunes all night long. I must say prices were also really reasonable with a beer at only around 3 dollars (100 baht?)so you can guess I had a really good time. The other advantage is the crowd you meet there are not the ';typical'; pattaya tourist looking for you know what but rather those looking for the cleaner pattaya.
Anyhow,, I hope this helps and ill definetly be back there again!
cheers to d2 for another fabulous place!
anthony cummings
I went there last weekend. The hotel location is very convenient if you want to walk around shopping centers. It is located right next to the community mall but no sea view. Hotel decoration is impressively chic. Hotel staff is nice but not so efficient. I have to call 3 times to have a room service, possibly it was during the peak check in time.
I like their cool hotel lougue. Homey style with modern look.
However, the swimming pool looks good be noisy from the air-con compressors of the community mall, adjacent to the swimming pool.
Its Deep Bar is so strange. Perfect for a private party but not for couple. Its top floor bar is noisy from the lively Pattaya road at night.
Hotel room is impressively chic and cozy.
You can find better hotel with such a room rate but you should try this hotel once.
Overall, once is enough for my family trip here, but may come back later for a business trip.
Hi
Tourist numbers are they up or down on last year, re global resession?
Also have prices in general gone down with the pre mentioned resession, as you would think they would have.
Two months to go.
Harry
Numbers are down somewhat from last year.
Prices for hotel rooms might be a bit less but for food, and drink, and shopping: I believe the same.
Just my guess.
I%26#39;ve heard from a friend who receives information about numbers of people passing through Phuket airport that numbers were almost static when I last checked about a month ago. A friend of ours said his hotel in Patong was fully booked throughout March, but I have heard that many hotels are starting to struggle. I think the Hilton was at about 75% capacity, not sure about the last couple of weeks we%26#39;ve been home, though.
I am guessing, though, that a lot of the people who pass through the airport are locals on domestic flights.
There might not be much difference in overall numbers. People are generally cutting down on more expensive long distance travelling. A shortfall in numbers from Europe, etc will be offset by increasing number of tourists from nearby Asian countries. For example in Singapore, people are not cutting down on travelling but are switching from more expensive faraway destinations to somewhere nearer like Phuket which is cheaper. I believe Phuket may see more Asian tourists and fewer Europeans during these bad times.
I think also that many people had already booked holidays so kept with them because they%26#39;d paid their deposits, they don%26#39;t seem to be spending much money though - not many people carrying shopping when I was there.
The high number of tourists from Australia in the low season though has helped Phuket a lot in the last few years.
These say February was down for numbers
phuketwan.com/tourism/鈥?/a>
Of course arrivals at the airport include those going to Khao Lak and some other areas.
Harry - the hotel rates are low in low season, but I don%26#39;t think you will see much change in prices because costs of doing business are still very high.
Wages can be more than elsewhere because prices for people are higher, property prices for doing business compared to other areas are very high indeed so businesses have to cover their costs - when people think prices are high it is often not that a business is really trying to get the most, it can simply be the %26#39;costs of doing business%26#39;. Business costs to buy or rent are still very very high indeed even with all the construction going on.
Just returned from a trip to Phuket and Khao Lak.
Both hotels were full (Patong Beach hotel and La Flora in Khao Lak )Prices for food and drink were variable but a good deal couls be had in certain places but you had to be careful.Our favourite resteraunts were Sweets (been there many times over the years and still as good)and Harrys in Phuket and the Talay seafood in Khao Lak .Drink prices were very dear in the Hotels and also in the seafront bars in Phuket .
Athena. I agree.
We booked our holiday back in August when times were not like they are now with possibilities of losing ones job looming currently.
I would not book the same holiday now and will have less spending money on my trip. We actually have more than we thought we would have but less than what we would normally plan on spending.
I had a deposit in the hotel so would have lost that if I had opted for the Mercure hotel deals of late. I could have saved another 鈧?00 / $800 dollars if I could.
hi , got back from Patong today and had a great time with family . It was our first time in Phuket but speaking to the aussie regulars , they said prices were heaps more expensive than last year maybe even 40% more .Our dollar is far worse now than a year ago though!!!!
Don%26#39;t pay more than 150 baht for deisel ,lonsdale, everlast singlets . My daughter was paying 200 bt for raybans . Good quality dvd,s were 60 bt ( in secret rooms ).
The dive shops had 25% off dives in March. We went with Sunrise and we were soooo impressed with them , ask for Britta (she was unreal ).
Weather was great but really hot and getting hotter. Our biggest expense was food , not near as cheap apparently . Holidays are for spending so be prepared to spend up .
Ps if you dont stay in Patong you will spend a fortune on daily transport ....Simone
If you want to see what some of Phukets%26#39; beaches are looking like NOW in the middle of Low Season there is a thread with lots of pictures here:-
phuket-info.com/forums/general/35802-best-be鈥?/a>
Thanks for the link Rex!
Great photos - the one of North Karon was interesting to say the least.
Cheers
Pete
Lots of ';flotsam'; washes up on the beaches in low season. There was a big clean up at Karon a few weeks ago -
鈥logspot.com/2008/08/aching-muscles-and-cle鈥?/a>
My favourite beaches are Layan beach and Paradise Beach. Quiet, but do have small restaurants with inexpensive food and cold beers! We often meet friends at Paradise beach and stay half a day. Kids can play safely and we can relax.
The construction of the new Centara resort on Karon is making a mess, though that end of the beach is a long way from most of the other hotels. Will affect you only if yuo are staying at Centara Villas (which used to be called Central Karon Village).
Felt so sad when I saw those pics of Karon. We stayed there this time last year and it was nothing like that. Hope it is back to it%26#39;s good looking self soooooon.
willyaroo -
The pictures on that site show the area around the construction of a new resort which is right at the North end of Karon. If you are staying anywhere south of the circle you won%26#39;t see or notice it. Right now, only Centara Villas is affected by the mess. If you%26#39;re at the Hilton or Andaman Seaview or Horizon etc.. you will not have a clue unless you deliberately walk 3km and go looking for it!
Posted yesterday a pic of Nai Thorn which is probably in the Top 5 best beaches in Phuket. Appeared in the movies The Beach and The Quest%26gt;%26gt;%26gt;
phuket-info.com/forums/general/35802-best-be鈥?/a>
They are not keen on you going on it though unless you stay at the resort :-(
ALL beaches are public. Once you get onto them nobody has the right to tell you to leave but the resorts can stop you walking over their property to get to them :-( Some advertise that the beach is private for their guests but it%26#39;s not so. If you arrive at a beach by boat there is nothing they can do about it.
phuketgazette.com/issuesanswers/details.asp鈥?/a>
phuketgazette.com/issuesanswers/details.asp鈥?/a>
phuketgazette.com/issuesanswers/details.asp鈥?/a>
phuketgazette.com/issuesanswers/details.asp鈥?/a>
The photo of Tri Trang, don%26#39;t the hotels send out people to clean up the beach ?
I can remember the north end of Karon going back perhaps 16 or 17 years but there has been that %26#39;messy area%26#39; of water that runs into the sea I guess at least 10 years, perhaps more.
Tri Trang has a lot of debris and litter on it right now...not as bad as Kamala though.
Kamala today. Lots of sunbeds but not many people :-)
鈥hotobucket.com/albums/鈥6300572.jpg
REX, I implore you, stop posting those pics of empty sunbeds (as we call em in the states)...people will start going up to Kamala and Surin and NO ONE wants that.
Let them stay down on Patong where they belong =)
scott
5 more days!
Hi people.
Will be there at phuket on end may to june
I know that the water around phuket gets choppy in May and June. But my friends and i really wanna do snorkeling.
What do you guys think?
Thank you
Snorkeling is no problem, you just have to go a bit further out.
Best place that time of year: Racha Yai.
Yes, Racha Yai is a great spot for snorkelling and this can be arranged by any of the many Dive Centers on Phuket. The daytrips costs around 1800 baht inc snorkelling equipment, lunch and refreshments and transfers to and from the Kata, Karon and Patong areas. Collection is around 8:00am and return around 4:00pm.
Otherwise the seas off the west coast of Phuket are not suitable for snorkelling between May - October. However if you are lucky there might be a day or 2 when the seas are calm.
Chantal
hi
thanks.
Do your have any contacts or recommend any company(website?) that operates snorkeling in Racha Yai region?
Hi
there are so many good operators to choose from. For your convenience I recommend that you book at a center located close to your hotel. Where will you be staying on Phuket?
Happy snorkelling.
Chantal
Choose to stay at Lawan residence. Great value accoms.
Hope its good.
Ok will see. So Racha yai is the best i guess?
Thanks
Hi Jinwei ,
I will inform you that on that month is not good for snokling it%26#39;s so dangour because it%26#39;s rainning season and the sea is not clear.
Rgds
Jolie,
Maybe you%26#39;d better stick to subjects you know something about?
Snorkeling in May/June is perfectly safe at Racha Yai. Even stronger, the snorkeling there is from May till October a lot nicer than from November through April, because the East side of the island is the protected side during these months, and that is where the best snorkeling is.
Sorry to say Jolie - dangerous??
You are very badly misinformed. We have been snorkelling and scuba diving there for years and in actual fact many days it is far nicer than during our high season months due to the less amount of people and surface boat traffic at these sites. Also Koh Racha Yai is renowned for great visibility all year round!
Chantal
Great!
But it looks like fewer companies operate there
Pity that simba and phuketsail dont offer snorkeling to that area. Was hoping to join their snorkeling tour.
I will source out when i%26#39;m there.
Thanks guys!
hi there,my hubby and i leave tomorrow for bangkok just some quick questions,i understand that you must wear long pants and cover your shoulders when visiting the grand palace,but what about your shoes,do they have to be enclosed or can we get away with wearing sandles(thongs).Also we would like to do alot of our traveling by ferrys on the river does anyone know which colour flag is the best to catch,and how long would it take to travel from pier 13 to the river city pier roughly.just one more sleep to enjoy a sences overload we cant wait!
for the Grand palace you are supposed to wear socks if you wear sandals, long trousers and shirts are fine, but they are not keen on t-shirts, although it is a bit of a lottery, they will still let you in but you may need to hire %26#39;suitable%26#39; attire. Best to dress correctly. Do watch out for the scam mongers in front of the palace. The palace is open whatever they say and it%26#39;s best to just smile and keep walking to the entrance.
The ferry trip you mention takes about 10-15 minutes. I usually get the orange flag boats as they stop at most main piers, the blue flag boat stops everywhere and is therefore slower and the yellow is an express stopping at fewer piers, useful if you are going way up river.
Enjoy your holidays
thankyou lewes for the info,better take the correct foot wear then,i also heard there was a white flag ferry or no flag where does that travel on the river,and is there a ferry that travel on the river after 7:00 at night,we are staying at the Navalia resort near pier 13,thanks.
lucky you, Navalai looks great every time I pass, nice terrace to watch the boats go by... boats operate in daylight hours, so roughly 6am to 6pm ish white flag I never saw, you%26#39;ll be fine with a blue, orange or yellow I%26#39;m sure
Clothes wise, I went there with a T shirt on and was fine. Anyone with a sleeveless T shirt got refused entry.
Hello
I thought I read somewhere that you can wear sandals so long as they have a back strap - not thongs. Is this correct?
Thanks
Marlene
you can wear sandals, you just need socks on as well... not a good look
lol
';you can wear sandals, you just need socks on as well... not a good look';
Unfortunately, in Bangkok, it%26#39;s a far too common look!
hi, any decent pub where we can dance that is located near siam paragon?
where is hard rock cafe, bangkok?
The Hard Rock is located in Siam Square.
Hi anyone
I am thinking about spending 5 days on Thong Nai Pan Noi beach followed by 5 days at Haad Salad. Do I need to come back via Thong Sala or is their a direct route from one to the other.
What is the best means of transport? Using the ones from the resort or getting a taxi. We are a party of 4 but possibly 9.
Hi, When we stayed at Salsd Hut, they collected us from pier free. Most hotels seem to do this, in the back of a jeep. Good fun. Sunset Cove also did this, although I wouldn%26#39;t recommend that place, didn%26#39;t like it. B
Sorry, that%26#39;s Salad Hut
Thanks for that. Do you just request pickup when you book? So you would recommend Salad Hut?
Hi there,
Yes, just request it when booking. They%26#39;re all on the pier in their pick ups when the ferry arrives. Yes I loved salad Hut. I wrote a review on here if you want to have a look.
Hello, we%26#39;re staying in Phuket for the first time next week. First the Sugar Palm Hillside then the Hilton Arcadia. Both of these hotels have minibars. Does anyone know the approximate cost per drink in these types of minibars?
Also the approximate cost of room service meals?
Thank you
Hi 2ndtoughest.. my wife and I are also going to Sugar Palm Grand Hillside, in 2 weeks.. i remembered reading a T/A review of the prices, try this link.. hope you enjoy it.. tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g1210687-d11鈥?/a>
I tried to find info about Salad Buri without success. Looks like it%26#39;s brand new and nobody wrote any review yet...
Did anybody see it? Does it make sense to book it for the end of April? Has construction finished at all?
Thanks a lot!
Hi , Stayed near it At Christmas and it wasn%26#39;t finished then. It looked like the pool villas and restaurant were ready but still building going on at the back, but that was Christmas, a few months ago. Someone else asked the same question recently. If you search the item here you might find more info B
Thanks Bikies_tour! Will look more for the info...
We just returned from Krabi (Ao Nang) a couple of weeks ago. Just like to thank all the help and advice from fellow travellers that we received on this forum.
In particular, we can higly recommend Elizabeth and Sun from Andaman Camp %26amp; Cruise for the wonderful day
we spent with them on the touring the Hong Islands.
It was very relaxing and chilled day on our own longtail in clear waters and beautiful beaches, not being rushed on a schedule. Lunch on the beach was also provided which was authentic Thai food that Sun had cooked (the best meal that we had on our holiday). We were really looked after throught the day with drinks, fresh fruit and refreshments. Sun brought our kids some fresh watermelon so that they could feed the fish while they snorkelled - I%26#39;ll never forget the look on their faces!
In the evening we went out to Krabi night market with Sun and Elizabeth for more traditional Thai food and a taste of local life in Krabi. Again we really loved the food at the night market, especially the Mango and sticky rice! We had a great time with such a warm and genuine couple.
Can%26#39;t really recommend them enough, but they are usually very busy, so try and book in advance. We always got a quick response from email when we enquired.
Their website is www.andamancampandcruise.com
Once again thanks to all fellow TA
Thanks for the review! Sounds like a really wonderful time.
We%26#39;ve booked Elizabeth and Sun for Hong Islands and a snorkeling tour next month. Very much looking fwd to it (and Sun%26#39;s cooking as well!)!!
We totally agree and can%26#39;t recommend www.andamancampandcruise.com and their trips strongly enough.
Any suggestions on a good place to stay for a month? Looking for something quiet and slow, little to no traffic. Something on the coast/island. Phuket is too much of everything. People, traffic, noise for me. Need air con and wifi. Please help?
If your considering the Phuket area the weather will be fine. Perhaps take a look at Koh Lanta which is easily accessable and has plenty of relaxed and chilled areas and beaches. If you want to break it up a little you can easily do short trips to other islands whilst keeping Koh Lanta as your base.
We have some pics and stories of our trip here... www.bobandjanette.com which may help.
Happy %26amp; safe travels
Southeast from Bangkok you have Koh Samet island, along the coast there are quiet areas around Rayong, further along is Koh Chang.
South from bangkok if you want quiet beaches that are %26#39;slow%26#39; then you have Pranburi, Dolphin Bay, Baan Krut and Ban Saphan, Koh Talu island. Just south you have access to Koh Tao and Koh Phangan.
Along the coast there you will find lots of beaches with a/con at cabana style resorts, fishing villages, snorjkeling, beach walks, local village life etc.
In the far south of Thailand you have islands such as Koh Lipe, Koh Mook, Koh Ngai.
There are plenty of beautiful beaches and islands.
Where you hit a brick wall though is incluidng that %26#39;wifi%26#39; is needed.
You can find internet access, although at a low speed, but wifi, well, if you stay in an upmarket resort ( some around the quiet areas but not many ) you may hit lucky that they might have limited wifi, though I woundn%26#39;t count on it.
In most other beaches and islands you will probably get internet access ( depending where you go ) but adding wifi as a requirement cancels out countless great places.
Monica,
you sound like you know the islands well - i%26#39;d love some advice on a place to stay in Aug 09 for a couple of weeks (sorry to hijack your post Hayesworld) .. I%26#39;ve been to thailand a few times, I loved Dolphin at Koh Phangan Yai and Treehouses on Koh Chang but like to try something new - do you know of somewhere equally good: ambient, chilled, stylish, small, beachfront bungalow.
Any suggestions?? I see you%26#39;ve mentioned the following but i don%26#39;t know anything about these: Pranburi, Dolphin Bay, Baan Krut and Ban Saphan, Koh Talu island. Koh Lipe, Koh Mook, Koh Ngai.
Thanks, Rose
To Rose %26amp; Hayesworld.
It might be worth considering the small island of Yao Noi. Very laid back, virtually no traffic other than the locals on their scooters, beautiful beaches, gorgeous scenery.................I for one can%26#39;t wait to go back. The village has plenty facilities for necessary items - i.e. bank, chemist, convenience stores etc., and there are some very cheap and cheerful bars %26amp; restaurants scattered all over the island.
We stayed at Koh Yao Beach Bungalows on the south east coast of the island and would have no hesitation in recommending them. Exceptionally clean (some of the newer bungalows have hot %26amp; cold showeres). Large and varied menu in their small restaurant/bar, scooter rental and internet. The views were spectacular!
Mak
I agree with Mak, also a great idea.
There %26#39;are%26#39; plenty of islands and beaches around that vary from very basic and rustic upwards. Koh Ngai, Koh Mook / Muk and others are popular with %26#39;travelers%26#39; of which there are still many. There are also small islands off the Andaman side.
Very often you can read about beaches and islands all being over commercial but there are just so many places around.
Do a search on Google for those places and you will find there is plenty of information.
A good tip is also to go to Google Images and search for place names as you then get a lot of photos and that quickly gives you and idea of what they are like.
November to March the south would be good, from now until September the Gulf area better.
There are so many places that I would call %26#39;like the good old days%26#39; and for those who ventured around Thailand say longer than 10 years back they know these places !
I%26#39;m sure you know this - but if you do a search on Google when the results come yp you can click on the tope left for %26#39;Images%26#39;
or
http://images.google.com/
and just the same, you can put in those place names and then see photos and quickly gives you an impression, also you often see maps also.
Just a word of caution - you can find different places in Thailand with same name, for example the well known %26#39;Koh Chang%26#39; plus another less known %26#39;Koh Chang%26#39; different side of the country. Paataya is famous, there is also a %26#39;Pattaya beach%26#39; on Koh Lipe !
So take care of different places with same or similar names.
We just stayed in Baan Krut one night but have stayed their previously. Beautiful beach. Quiet. Stayed at Baanklangaow Beach resort. www.baanklangaow.net.
You will see it on the internet. Not sure about WiFi.
Bill and Wannee Shaw
hi, hoping to travel to thailand around the 1st to 6th april for 2 weeks but with it being easter holidays here in the uk, koh samui was coming out a lot more expensive and very limited avaliability, the travel agent is suggesting hua hin and pattaya but doing a little bit of research I am leaning towards hua hin as we have a 13 year old son , is the right choice? also pref want to be beach location and not too far from resturants etc.. but at the same time want lots of fun things to see and do any help or guidance would be much apprecaited, thanks for any advice, michelle, ps any recommendations on hotels for our needs would also be great
Hi actiondaisy,
You won%26#39;t regret staying in Hua Hin, it is very laid back, and easy to get around. Plenty of things to do and see. Depends on your budget what type of accomodation you prefer, we stayed at the Sofitel
( beautiful hotel) as it was right in town and we could walk everywhere. There are many hotels right on the beach and some a little way out of town if you prefer that and it%26#39;s just a short tuk tuk ride into town.
Let us know what you like doing and your hotel preferences and we will try and help you decide.
Sue
Good choice, you have the beach but you also have 2 national parks within about an hour, Krachan national park is more jungle style, Sam Roi Yot is coastal with beaches, caves, temples, wetlands, river etc.
In town you have restaurants, seafood at restaurants over the water plus plenty of Thai and almost every other cuisine you could think of.
A few hours away snorkeling off Koh Talu island, great for day-trip. Bridge on the River Kwai is a whole day trip.
Elephant rides, water sports etc.
Pleasant night markets, freindly and not pushy.
Cheap to get around using tuk-tuks or songthaews.
Weather - should be hot, dry sunshine.
That%26#39;s the good news - 1st 2 weeks April will be very busy indeed though if it is not a particular hotel or resort you are after if you move quick you should be ok
Upper range - Sofitel ( superb ), Hyatt Regency, Hilton, Anantara, Marriott, Sheraton, then towards Cha Am Courtyard by Marriott, Holiday Inn, Springfield etc.
You need to tell us your budget
actiondaisy,
We stayed at the Hilton for 6 nights early November -our son was getting married at the Anantara along the coast but we%26#39;d had the Hilton recommended to us due to its great location. Had heard some negative reports about the Hotel but we needn%26#39;t have worried as the Hotel was excellent. We stayed on the Club floor whilst our two daughters and husbands and infant granddaughter stayed in the standard rooms.
Hilton location is the best, easy to walk to market, fish restaurants, internet cafes etc, and a lovely ambience especially the main entrance which is beautifully lit with candles at sunset. Overall lovely place to stay but not worth the extra money to stay on the Club floor.
The Hilton is nice but it is a high rise, but good location, the Sofitel is same area and much more Thai style to it. Marriott is a %26#39;long walk%26#39; from center but people do walk it or a few minutes by tuk-tuk or try a samlor - bicyle rickshaw for fun.
You also hop on the local songhtaews for 10 baht per person either to the central market or if you want to head south to Khao takiab for water sports etc
Marriott resort is right on the beach and walking distance to the new large mall and also near Grand Plaza night market.
But for anytime between about 12th and 19th April week you really do need to book very soon indeed.
Hua Hin is certainly better than Pattaya especially if you have a young lad with you, just as I am having my 13-y old with me also in beginning of this April. Hua Hin has a lot more appropriate to offer, as you have probably read in the other replies.
The nature is a lot closer and you can see and learn very nice things at the same time as relax.
I%26#39;m flying to Hua Hin this march and I intend to stay for at least one year. Does anybody know what kind of vaccinations I need for a trip this long?
None are needed but it may be a good idea to consult your doctor. Hope you%26#39;ve checked out the visa situation.
Echo Dragonc%26#39;s comments on vaccinations, but do check on what visa%26#39;s you%26#39;ll need for a one year stay plus next month unless something changes you%26#39;ll also have to do a 250 kilometre round trip to sort it all plus 90 day reporting to the same place.
Thank u guys, Visa should be no problem. Im going to Webster and they take care of that.
I was going to echo about Visa but I pressume if you are with Webster University they know what they are doing.
Vaccinations, nothing really, though it is a worthwhile reminder that things such as tetanus lasts ( I am no expert at all ) about 10 years and sometimes people forget to %26#39;renew%26#39; it.
I pressume you have sorted out medical insurance, if not don%26#39;t forget to do that, something people sometimes forget about.
Hi, I suppose this comes somewhat late but if you want to travel all over the country and stay that long, this is what I advise: tetanus, hepatitis A%26amp;B (Twinrix), Japanese encephalitis, rabies (yes, there are a lot of stray dogs! I was bitten once in the countryside and had to be immunized several times asap, it麓s a deadly disease). You do not have to worry about malaria unless you go near Myanmar border or stay over night by rivers (like river Kwae), and the most important thing is to prevent mosquitoes to bite with repellent and clothes in evening.If you do not have all the vaccinations, I suppose a local private hospital can take care of them as well.
I used to stay in Thailand for 4 1/2 years and go back with my kids now in March as well.
Enjoy your stay!
There are not many mosquitoes but anywhere in the tropics prevention is better - it is not just the normal health risk but many people forget that a bite is like a small cut and people tend to scratch these, so any bites treat them with antiseptic and pay attention to them.
If you go from Hua hin for treks into the jungle and mountains take care also of any scratches or grazes.
Tetanus, Hep A, Typhoid and Hep B are shots everyone should have as a matter of course - travelling or not.
Yeah, forgot Typhoid -the vaccine is rather new. Not that anybody or anyone I know or knew got that or the disease.
And really, be careful with all kinds of even minor wounds.They do get infected easily.Antibiotics are needed a lot more frequently than in cold climates.
Hi there,
I will be flyting to Bangkok in the fall and have got 10 days to spare. Can anyone please suggest an itinerary, must see, etc? Will I have time to see anything outside Bangkok? If so, what?
Many thanks,
Anita
Anita,
Are you planning on staying in Bangkok or seeing the rest of the country. I think you could do 10 days in Bangkok depending on your interests but there are many other amazing parts of the country. Chiang Mai was our favorite.
I think 10 days is too long in Bangkok, personally. We thoroughly enjoyed the city, but wouldn%26#39;t want more than 4 or 5 days there at any given time. You can definitely take some day trips out of the city, for instance to Ayuthaya, or a bike trip around the floating market and coconut plantations south of Bangkok. The Grand Palace and Wat Pho take at least a half a day. A river trip and Wat Arun can take another half a day. A day and some evenings for shopping are a must.
I would strongly recommend heading up to Chiang Mai. It was also our favorite. The temples there are beautiful, including the ones inside the moated old city and Doi Suthep up on the mountain just outside the city. The shopping there is great, as well as the eating. Everything is less expensive than in Bangkok including the spas if you are into that. It is easy to take tours into the hills to see Elephants, go rafting, visit hill tribes etc.
If you are into the beach, it%26#39;s a quick flight to Phuket or Krabi. We enjoyed both locations.
Have a great time.
We spent 6 days in Bangkok in April 2008 and found we ran out of time. Tours we have done so far are: Temples, the Palace, River Kwai, Death Railway, Tiger Temple, Rice Barge trip, Klong ride and of course shopping. I must say still didn%26#39;t get to the Floating Markets, Ancient City, didn%26#39;t do all the shopping centres, didn%26#39;t get to the night markets. I think 10 days isn%26#39;t too long as it takes a day or two to get your head around the hustle bustle.
We spent 6 days in Bangkok in April 2008 and found we ran out of time. Tours we have done so far are: Temples, the Palace, River Kwai, Death Railway, Tiger Temple, Rice Barge trip, Klong ride and of course shopping. I must say still didn%26#39;t get to the Floating Markets, Ancient City, didn%26#39;t do all the shopping centres, didn%26#39;t get to the night markets. I think 10 days isn%26#39;t too long as it takes a day or two to get your head around the hustle bustle.
Hi,
Many thanks for all your tips. Can you please advise me on a place to stay in Tokyo? I am not looking for anyhting fancy
Anita
what%26#39;s the best way to get to Chiang Mai? How long is the journey?
We could not have spent 10 days only in Bangkok. We spent 2 days in Kanchanburi and took our time over the tiger temple, bridge over the river kwai etc and a couple of days in Pattaya. Both of these are only a couple of hours from Bangkok. We also did got up to Chiang Mai which an hour by plane (but hate flying) so we did overnight coach - 12 hours-ish.
Bangkok:
TOURS
Make sure you check out the Grand Palace by the river. Inexpensive day tours can be arranged by travel agents,wherever you stay; the hotel travel desk will be more expensive.You need to have your arms and legs covered when visiting temples. Try and get a massage. They are inexpensive and will help easy the head/shoulders/foot pain at the end of the day.
Shopping:
The key is not to get stuck in Bangkok traffic. For shopping it%26#39;s best to stay close to the BTS or skytrain, near the MBK/Siam Square or Sukimwit neighbourhoods. This will give easy access to the many Malls and the famous week-end Jutujuk market. The road traffic in these areas is terrible; like a parking lot.
OUTSIDE BANGKOK
Chiang Mai is the second most popular town. Laid back night markets and day trips to see hill tribes, elephants, trekking and temples abound. Also it%26#39;s a less expendive town. Try living in a walk up guest house. For half the price in Bangkok, twice the serenity.
Oh yes. There is the overnight train Bangkok to Chiangmai. Just not up to western standards or comfort and arrives around 7 am in Chiangmai. Most western tourists book 2nd. class. Privacy with curtains aling the lower and upper bunks are good.
For us it has lost it%26#39;s charm. Usually we just fly using Air Asia. It 40% more, but you can book the flight online. The train is best booked in advance using a travel agent. The lower berth is best and they disappear quickly.
Has anyone seen the new Banyan ?
I know it is pool villas and there is the Golf Course but wondered about the villas and whether they overlook the Golf course or are just nearby.
Any golfers out there seen the Banyan yet ?
Hi Monica.
Have driven past it quite a few times, but not gone in. From the main road its looks like the villas have been laid out much like a normal estate and not overlooking the golf course but there%26#39;ll probably be a few very expensive ones that do. Currently there is an exhibition in the Village Market showing a small scale model of the place and looking at it this morning would seem as I%26#39;ve said.
They also have a web page which is
http://www.banyanestatehuahin.com/ which might be worth your looking at.
A golfing friend went there recently, and said lovely golf course but needs to mature a bit, rather expensive to play there (but are not most of the decent courses around here), nice clubhouse but again not the cheapest by any means for food and drink and no doubt the villas are expensive for what they are with suggestions of rentals at 5000 Baht per night for those that buy as an investment.
As a sidenote, been in town most of the day, had some very welcome rain but no wind so surprised to get home to the west of the town and found we must have had a very strong wind as many potted tree%26#39;s had blown over and my pool and carp pond covered in Frangipani and Bougainvillea blossoms which has taken me some time to clear up - and I was looking forward to a dip and a sunbathe!!!
Hi Monica.
Have driven past it quite a few times, but not gone in. From the main road its looks like the villas have been laid out much like a normal estate and not overlooking the golf course but there%26#39;ll probably be a few very expensive ones that do. Currently there is an exhibition in the Village Market showing a small scale model of the place and looking at it this morning would seem as I%26#39;ve said.
They also have a web page which is
http://www.banyanestatehuahin.com/ which might be worth your looking at.
A golfing friend went there recently, and said lovely golf course but needs to mature a bit, rather expensive to play there (but are not most of the decent courses around here), nice clubhouse but again not the cheapest by any means for food and drink and no doubt the villas are expensive for what they are with suggestions of rentals at 5000 Baht per night for those that buy as an investment.
As a sidenote, been in town most of the day, had some very welcome rain but no wind so surprised to get home to the west of the town and found we must have had a very strong wind as the power had been off for 45 minutes and many potted tree%26#39;s had blown over and my pool and carp pond covered in Frangipani and Bougainvillea blossoms which has taken me some time to clear up - and I was looking forward to a dip and a sunbathe!!!
Thanks so much, there seem to be so many places being built.
Glad you had some rain, I think it was needed !
Dy out the bourganvilia leaves and make a potpourri, there%26#39;s always a plus side !
check at tothailandhotel.com
I just arrived back from a golf trip to Hua hin. We played Springfield, Black Mountain and Banyan. All were beautiful but Banyan was my favourite. Took my breath away.
Sorry, can%26#39;t help with villas etc. though.
Hi,
Firstly thanks to everyone who has already helped me out with answers.
After MUCH research, I think I have finally decided on my trip - am in late 20%26#39;s like to party but also to chill in nice beach bars.
Could anyone please help with the following info:
1. Am planning Koh Samui for 5 nights at the Samui Paradise - can%26#39;t decide between Deluxe villa or junior suite - is the latter worth the extra??
2 Then transferring to Ko Panghan for 6 nights - am torn between the Panviman which looks gorgeous (again though the superior cottage or the Deluxe? Is it worth the extra cost??) or the more basic Baan Panburi in the ocean/beach hut.
I apprecaite that there is probably a lot of difference between the 2 resorts in Ko Phanghan but is the Panviman really worth the extra?
3 Beach near the Panviman am I right in thinking that there is only a few restaurants, but a few bars where it is possible to have drinks etc??
I%26#39;m sorry this is so long, but really want to get it right. Thanks for all your help!!!
i am going to bangkok in november 2008 if anybody finds pandora beads let me know
regards
croydon girl66
Hello CROYDONGIRL66, If you find some Pandora things email mee.
Im also going to BKK 18 November, from Sweden.
And if I find some I can Email you.
Best regards.
Ralph at Bizzniz Import.
I am so addicted to Pandora Charms! If you manage to find some in bangkok, please post some pics or let me know what the quality is like. You know what those same same but different items can be like hehe.
I found 2 pandora charms on the beach, a silver car and a tea cup, so I am eager to increase my collection!
there are some cool blogs on Pandora beads and charms I have found, and you can also get decent deals on ebay. But as always, it is the luck of the draw if they are fakes or not..here are a couple of sites I have found..
http://www.pandoracharmsbracelet.com.au
http://www.beadsandgifts.com.au/
Regards
Christine
Hi,
Let us know if you%26#39;re interested in high quality sterling silver Pandora-style beads in Bangkok.
Thanks.
Hi
When we were there (Bangkok and Phuket) in August last year there were lots of ';Pandora style'; beads, but they were definately not originals.
All pretty just the same - but there were lots to be found.
Safe travels
PS Do a search on this forum of pandora and you will find lots of messages about where to find in Patong, but they really were in lots of places.
The authentic Pandora beads can only be obtained from your country%26#39;s distributor. You still can find a lot of Pandora-style beads in Thailand but most of them are not threaded and not very good quality or poorly designed. There are some very nice ones with thread but don%26#39;t expect to see them on the street at very low prices.
