Hey fellow travellers =)
I am heading down to Thailand in June for three weeks and am planning on seeing a few main places and basing ourselves there. So far the plan is once we arrive in Bangkok we are going to catch a train to CHIANG MAI, stay there for 3-4days then head to PHUKET and stay near Patong for 6 days, then we move off to Phi Phi Island for 1 -2 nights depending, then to KRABI for a few days and hopefully then we will go to KOH SAMUI and back to Bangkok to finalise the travelling.
Can anyone offer me advice on whether places like Krabi and Koh Samui are worthy as bases or can be done as day trips? Is it hard to use trains and ferries to get to each of these places?
What is there to do in each place? What is a good amount of time in places like Krabi and Koh Samui?
I would really appreciate any feeback! thank you muchly =)
Reply to this Hi Traveller,
As first You can go to Koh samui by ferrie boat from Surathanee provience that far from Bangkok by bus and train for 600 KM. but you can go by air take 1hr. from bangkok , For Krabi you can go by bus directly (10 Hr.)and air from Bongkok via Surathanee or Hatyai and then take a bus to Krabi .
The other similary place is Phang nga and Koh Mai Ton this island is nearly vergin place but far from Phuket around 1.5 hr. by speed boat
About Chaingmai you can take the train ,Air,Bus direct from Bangkok
Other information concern please visit
Travel Guide Blog
Have a good trips!!
Reply to this Hello Becthetraveler 😊
Personally I would not recommend Koh Samui to go to at all. It has become a real tourist trap. They are tearing up the whole island to build concrete hotels etc. It is no longer the hippy paradise it used to be. But some people like it there. If u like places like Patong u will also probably like Koh Samui.
It is quite easy to get to. Once u get to the train or bus station in Surat Thani(a town near the pier where the boats go from) there will be plenty of travel agents waiting to try to sell a boat ticket. They will also take u to the pier. Use the one which most of the travellers seem to be going with. One thing to note is that it will be the rainy season. This means the seas are sometimes too rough for the boats to go. U can either be fliexible about when u take the boat or fly directly to Koh Samui from Bangkok.
I think going to Koh Samui for a day is too short. Go for at least a few days.
I dont know anything about Krabi because I have never been there.
Mel
Reply to this Thank you Mell and Bennee for you advice =) i am really quite unsure as to what to expect from Koh Samui, ive read good things about Krabi but havent heard from travellers about their thoughts on the place.
Would you think it would be better to book accomodation before hand or just decide when we get there whether it is worth travelling too?
We are steering clear from travelling by plane around the island as train/buses/ferries seem the cheaper go!
Reply to this I was in Koh Samui during the high tourist season without having booked accomodation. I had no trouble getting a place. No need to prebook. Besides the best deals are not prebookable.
The main tourist bedlem is located on Hat Chaweng and Hat Lamai. If u are into clubbing, bars and parties they are the ones to choose. If u want something quieter choose Hat Bo Phut or Hat Mae Nam.
Another island to consider is Koh Pha Ngan. I liked that one better than Koh Samui. U can also get a boat directly to it from the pier near Surat Thani.
Mel
Reply to this Phi Phi island was beautiful as well Koh Samui was nice. I spent a few nights in Krabi and I felt it to be a lot quieter and sorta boring compared to PHi Phi and Patong. But thats coming from someone who likes to drink and party so if your not looking for that kind of scene and want something a little more quiet than Patong may not be your slice.
Reply to this If you interested for Diving I would like to introduce you for SURIN ISLAND (Koh Surin)
Skill Diving : Surin Island Group(Koh Surin) is famous for skill diving in Thailand and National group of islands Surin park are topmost coral water shallow line pretty most of Thailand because from the beach arrives at line coral end has the wideness about 1200 meter which abound most in Thailand and found fish breed more than 200 kind , corals are 250 kind have no the allusion anything will narrate arrive at the mightiness and the beauty have of group of Surin islands everything must acknowledge with the sight and touch with your feeling by oneself
Reply to this My advice is to spend 2 or 3 days in Bangkok on arrival, this will allow you to get used to the heat and time changes. You could sign up for some local tours or go on your own. Places like Ayuthaya, River Kwai, Floating Markets, Crocodile farms, National Parks, etc. You wouldn't have to worry about having enough time to get to the train station, you would have a couple days to plan your moves. You could even get your train tickets to Chiang Mai a day or two before your ride in person! Unless you have a dinner cruise or other evening tour you have all night for partying or quiet dining - up to you!
In Bangkok young travelers head for Khao San Road (KSR) other experienced travelers stay near the Skytrain route (Sukhumvit or Siam for instance.) The Skytrain is an overhead rapid transit system that can get you to many popular areas in Bangkok. No Skytrain in the KSR area! Taxi cabs are cheap in Bangkok IF you only pay the meter charge! Don't bargain any taxi rides in Bangkok - meter is cheaper! Air conditioned taxi cabs are cheaper than tuk-tuks too (unless you speak Thai!) The price you pay for a taxi ride in Bangkok is for everyone in the taxi, not per passenger!
The Skytrain can connect you to bus stations and the subway at the Asok stop. The subway can take you to the national train station for your ride to Chiang Mai. No direct train service from the airport just yet (in the works though!) From the airport you have to take a taxi (especially late at night close to midnight.) There is bus service to Bangkok also. A cheap city bus runs from the airport bus station (shuttle required, it's free.) There is an Airport Express bus that leaves directly from the terminal and can take you to many areas of Bangkok for 150 baht. However, 2 people in an air conditioned meter taxi will be around the same price and half the time!
For Chiang Mai use the overnight sleeper train, this way you would also save the price of another night in a hotel. The overnight train arrives in Chiang Mai early in the morning and you have the whole day ahead of you. I would also plan on spending the last night in Bangkok for final shopping and to make sure you do not miss your ride home because of connecting flights being late or canceled!
In Chiang Mai (same as Bangkok) you can check out some of the many travel agents for local tours or do it on your own! Travel agents act as tour brokers and have a whole menu selection of tours you can take. Tours take you to the hill tribe villages, Long Neck Villages, Golden Triangle in Chiang Rai, etc. You can also visit the night market and even consider a cooking school.
From the many choices of "beach" areas you are probably young! You don't have to be at a beach to get a tan, all of Thailand has summertime weather! Even in Bangkok or Chiang Mai you can get a tan just walking around town! Safe beach "sun time" in Thailand is around an hour! Other than Chiang Mai your choices are - beach, beach and beach again! Perhaps think about some other side trips to some popular tourists attractions of with cultural value! My advice is Bangkok, Chiang Mai by sleeper car, Phuket and then probably a side trip that is not beach related. Back to Bangkok for a final night of shopping and partying.
Just another opinion.
Reply to this thanks for all the advice guys! its great...! im still trying to make up my mind on Koh Samui??! let's put it this way, my cousin is 22 and i am 25 and we are very into travelling and exploring rather than getting a tan, so we are up for seeing different things!
Also, where can you get those photos with the tigers? i presume it's in bangkok? anyone got any good suggestions on places to stay in bangkok that are of good value and are close to the sky train?
Reply to this Bec id say steer clear of Phuket its a whole, its full of seedy bars and the sex trade not a nice place at all, Koh Samui is a bit built up, id suggest getting a flight to Koh Samui and getting the ferry to koh phangan and head round to head tien bay, its like a pice of paradise no 7/11, two eating places and a few beach huts, you can get a longboat from the west of the island very easily for about 150 bht, Krabhi was nice i stayed in ton sai bay were loads of travelers stayed, it had a good vibe and rock climbing, phi has nice beaches but is getting over developed, however phi is way nicer than phuket, i have not been to chang mai but all hear is good reports so go for it and bangkok is fun so spend a couple of days there seeing the grand place and downtown😊
Thx Mike😊
Reply to this Beware of the places which keep tigers to amuse tourists. Many of them do not take of the tigers well and do not use the money u pay to improve the conditions.
Since u are not into suntanning and seem to be interested in wildlife what about spending some time at Khao Sok. There is National Park there for u to explore. Also there is a lovely restaurant near the park where we used to hang out which has a natural pool beside it where monkeys often come to play. U can have dinner while watching them.
If u dont fancy hiking and exploring without a guide there are plenty of tours and guides advertised at most guesthouses and they have a good variety of activities on offer.
Mel
Reply to this Just a suggestion:
If u are interested in Elefant trecking and tubing then there are often advertisements for these in guesthouses in Thailand.
Mel
Reply to this Yes the is elephant trekking in Chang Mai and Kanchanurburi (possible spelt that wrong im useless at spelling)
Thx Mike😊
Reply to this Koh Phi Phi is larger and developed but better then Phuket. You will meet lots of travellers on Koh Phi Phi, nightlife is good, snorkeling is decent and the beaches are good. If you want a beautiful beach, chill scene, good rock climbing, check out Raleigh beach. Chiang Mai is great. Pai was even better, small with amazing scenery. The group I was travelling with (random people I met in vietnam and laos during the trip) rented scooters and we spent a couple of days just driving around exploring the countryside. Also had an awesome time white water rafting on Pai River.
Enjoy the trip. Don't worry too much about making plans. Just show up and freeflow it. Talk to other travelers once you arrive, see what they have been up to. Everything can be booked last minute. Any plan you make will change.
Cheers,
Michael
Reply to this You could try the Historical Park at Sukothai, which is the first Thai capital. Unlike the Ayutthaya Park, it is completely separate from the new town of Sukothai. Another one near there is the Si Satchanalai_Chalieng Historical Park.
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