Hi,
I've gone through LOADs of peoples post and can't seem to find the answers i need!
My and my friend are heading to Thailand for 5 weeks at the end of September 2010. We are staying in Bangkok for 3 nights and then heading up to Chiang Mai- We have made a reservation at Julies and plan on doing some trekking then heading off to explore the South Islands.
We want to be in Koh Phangan for the Full Moon Party on the 23rd and this is where we are having the most trouble! Everywhere we look is already full and the only other places are 45 mins away from all the action. We dont want to be in the centre of the party but at the same time we don't really want to have to travel too far after all the parties are over. Especially as there will just be the 2 of us...Does anyone have any suggestions for good places to stay. We would like a bungalow for around 600-700Bht a night and we arent too bothered about staying the min of 7 nights as long as its a nice place. It doesn't have to be party mad.
I'm sorry if this has all been asked before! but there are jsut so many resorts and such i couldn\'t look through anymore!!!
Thanks in advance :D Sal x
Reply to this For starters dont worry about accommodation! I was at the full moon in Oct & Nov '09 and had no problem getting accommodation. There vast majority of places that are not online or have websites. If you are there 4 days before the party you will have the pick of accommodation. Trust me, regardless of what guide books or other travelers tell you.
We got a nice bungalow, 5 minutes walk from all the action, but still had loads of bars, shops & restaurants beside us. The room was 300B per night if we booked for 5 nights(3 before, 2 after). It was called Oasis bungalows. Small little white ones if your looking for them. The vast majority do not take advanced bookings. They set prices as they feel, so if its busier than normal they up their prices and take on a first come first served basis. The places that are already full are probably booked by holiday makers as such, and not travelers. The main party people on the island are Israeli's and they generally take over a hotel or resort to themselves. This is another reason why some places are already fully booked. I could be mistaken but I think one of their important holy days is around that time, although it could have been in Nov, but I do vaguely remember something.
Anyway, I rambling! Dont worry about finding accommodation. Trust me!
Turns out I was there Nov & Dec '09 which would be even busier than Oct.
Full Moon Party - Nov '09 Reply to this great info, i will be heading there in Oct too!
i will be heading from bkk, any advise to travel to Koh Phangan by bus or train?
which is a faster route? as i will be there from 20th - 26th.
Reply to this Train from Bkk is most comfortable. When you get off at Surat Thani there'll be enough bus companies to take you the rest of the journey (including boat). Beware of people messing through your bag while its below the bus. It happened to us.
Reply to this thanks for the info.
the travel is really helpful too.
I just can't wait to go now! :D
Reply to this hmm, thankss. hate it when ppl mess through my bag. arghhhhh
Reply to this "hmm, thankss. hate it when ppl mess through my bag. arghhhhh......."
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Most of the time when I read about bags and packs being rifled through it has almost always been buses booked through Khao San Road travel agents or on buses frequented by young travelers. Koh Phangan draws a lot of young tourists.
When you put your bag or pack in the storage area on a bus make sure you do not leave any money, electronics, jewelry, passport - anything small and of value - in that bag! Make sure you can lock your bags too! If your bag or pack has no way of being locked you can have some D-rings sewed on for a padlock.
Stories of bus loads of kids being held up or the midget in the storage area stealing stuff from bags have been around for many years but rarely ever from regularly scheduled buses you get directly from bus stations. Most of the time the buses in question have been those that travel agencies book for you or private hires.
Good luck.
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