Thailand is an amazing place, only spent 4 months out there but it was absolutely brilliant! I actually like Phi Phi, but I was with a group of lads so we were just boozing and relaxing. Cannot recommend Koh Tao enough either, it was a beautiful and the best time I've ever had. In total spent about 4 weeks there staying near the Lotus bar.
Koh Tao is great, I spent a couple of years there about a decade ago. If you have any interest in learning to dive it's the best value for money diving instruction you'll find. Personally i'd stay in one of the smaller resorts around Au Leuk or the New Heaven resort overlooking shark Island. Have fun.
So so much to see .. most of the great places already mentioned ... you will have a superb time. I've been there a few times and my son went back-packing around the country a few years ago and also loved it - he particularly liked Koh Phan Ngan.
Phuket is one of my favourite places ... small enough to get around the whole island in a few days and some great spots there.
I am going out to Thailand for five weeks all over xmas and new year. Has anyone ever been there over xmas. Where is the best place to spend christmans etc? I am going with my GF. cheers
I am going out to Thailand for five weeks all over xmas and new year. Has anyone ever been there over xmas. Where is the best place to spend christmans etc? I am going with my GF. cheers
I've been near Pattaya for a few Christmases and spent one in Samui before it was busy, but it's not very Christmasy, to be honest. You'll find some pubs selling Christmas dinner with all the trimmings often served with undrinkable wine. But, there won't be much Yo Ho Ho - more like any other day. They are Bhuddists after all!
Of course, if you are in the Brit bar areas, you will find a decent quotient of Brits drinking themselves into oblivion. Find a quite beach, buy a nice bottle of wine and enjoy is my advice.
Thanks guys, well we fly to singa on the 30th of November and plan to spend a couple of days there, then fly to Bangkok for a couple of days before heading down south to the islands. Still not sure how to get there yet or what route to take. NYE we are planning on the full moon party, just because it makes sense (any tips?). We are up for a good time and both like a drink, but on the other hand well into chilling out and seeing loads of nature etc. We are undecided on what to do xmas day so was just after some ideas
Well I'm a fan of Christmas day in Bangkok. Contary to what Thai Malaysia Addick said, I'd say Christmas is now quite a big event here. For the first time it is a national holday in some provinces. Bangkok is great for Christmas - 5 star hotels have awesome all day buffet meals for about 20 quid each and the 'good' British pubs around Sukhumvit are set up for the day. All good fun. I've also done Christmas in pattaya and phuket. Pattaya avoid unless just going to one of the big hotels, phuket is ok.
Fair comment, Bangkok Dave. I've never been in bkk at christmas. If you're travelling up from Singapore Air Asia and Tiger fly cheaply to various parts of Thailand. Bangkok Airways also fly Singapore direct to samui.
Have done Xmas in Samui which was good, but tsunami was next day (luckily didnt affect Samui), and everyone was a bit dazed for a few days. was still there for NYE which was great on Chaweng beach and the hotel did a gala meal and show which was already paid for with your room. Had previously done a full mooner at Koh Phangan so didnt bother going across there for the NYE beach party, just stayed on Samui.
A few years since I spent Christmas in Bangkok, sounds like it has improved. I don't really recommend Phuket if you want a Christmassy time unless you are into hotel compulsory Christmas Eve dinners which are often a bit naff and expensive.
You have plenty of time to fit the islands in. Tried and trusted route would be Phuket/Phi Phi/Krabi/Samui/Phangan (full moon)/ Koh Tao then back to Bangkok.
Quieter places include Koh Lanta, Koh Lipe and Koh Phayam.
Sadly for you it's the most expensive time of year for accommodation in Thailand. Use websites like agoda or booking.com for decent deals. These two sites also have hostels and guesthouses if you are on a tighter budget.
I'm in the hospitality business in Phuket so don't hesitate to ask for any info.
Can anyone give me the low down on Krabi......a few of us (mixed couples mostly in our mid 60's) are seriously considering renting a Villa there in January.
Soundas it is an amazing place! Prices will be expensive as it is high season here then. Krabi for me is the place to get that picture postcard experience. Ao Nang is a resort town - many hotels and restaurants but not the prettiest, however a good launchpad to other areas in the province. I'd go for Railey beach if you can find something around there - amazing sunsets, beaches and food.
Soundas it is an amazing place! Prices will be expensive as it is high season here then. Krabi for me is the place to get that picture postcard experience. Ao Nang is a resort town - many hotels and restaurants but not the prettiest, however a good launchpad to other areas in the province. I'd go for Railey beach if you can find something around there - amazing sunsets, beaches and food.
Thanks Dave...you are confirming all I've been told. It's either Krabi or Goa....it's not just up to me, so let's see what the others decide.
Cheers people some great advice on here. Do you think it is wise to just book hotels for the main days i.e Xmas eve/day/boxing day and NYE etc? or for other days? We were just looking to rock up on other days for accomodation. My GF is Padi trained and wants to dive out there, I would like to get trained up and looking to do it out there...any tips on this? I have missed the boat to get a PADI UK side.
It really depends where you want to go. It is high season. I'd decide on where you want to be for Christmas and New Years and book that and then the rest will fall into place. Use agoda.com - best rates by far.
I'm looking to go out for a couple of weeks over Xmas. I'd love to get away from Xmas full stop. We love quiet places, not bothered about nightlife, like nature and taking in a new culture.....not too bothered about boating etc as I get really sea sick, love the Ocean but can't sit on a beach all day. We would be looking to be back in Oz around the 28th as my step daughter is expecting her first baby. Oh..... I like my creature comforts being an old fart now :-)
Cheers people some great advice on here. Do you think it is wise to just book hotels for the main days i.e Xmas eve/day/boxing day and NYE etc? or for other days? We were just looking to rock up on other days for accomodation. My GF is Padi trained and wants to dive out there, I would like to get trained up and looking to do it out there...any tips on this? I have missed the boat to get a PADI UK side.
Book hotels/guesthouses after about the 20th December, before that you should be OK to turn up. Depending upon your budget, larger hotels are generally cheaper on agoda than you will get by showing up, guesthouses will be open for negotiation and the price will depend upon how busy they are.
As for PADI, Koh Tao is the cheapest place to do it but if you are in Koh Phangan for New Year it doesn't make sense to go to Koh Tao early in your trip. Phuket, Phi Phi or Krabi all have accredited dive shops and it'll cost between 250 and 300 pounds at that time of year to take a PADI open-water course. No need to book in advance.
agree about Kho Tao, 100s of places to learn to dive, and it's the cheapest place to learn. Bann's are OK if you want huge groups and a factory approach to learning (but good fun socially) or there are smaller places if you want more individual attention. My brother taught (me) at Sunshine Divers so I recommend them, though he isn't there now
Heading out there on friday for a month and just wondering if anyone had any recommendations for a decent tailor? Need a couple of suits and shirts made
Heading out there on friday for a month and just wondering if anyone had any recommendations for a decent tailor? Need a couple of suits and shirts made
I know a good one in Pattaya and a bad one in Bangkok.
Heading out there on friday for a month and just wondering if anyone had any recommendations for a decent tailor? Need a couple of suits and shirts made
Heading out there on friday for a month and just wondering if anyone had any recommendations for a decent tailor? Need a couple of suits and shirts made
Where are you going?
Staying in Bangkok for a few days before heading to the full moon and the islands. Before coming back up to loas for the last week. Think Bangkok would be easiest as I have the most time and can pick it up before I leave rather than carry it around
Comments
Phuket is one of my favourite places ... small enough to get around the whole island in a few days and some great spots there.
Of course, if you are in the Brit bar areas, you will find a decent quotient of Brits drinking themselves into oblivion. Find a quite beach, buy a nice bottle of wine and enjoy is my advice.
Had previously done a full mooner at Koh Phangan so didnt bother going across there for the NYE beach party, just stayed on Samui.
You have plenty of time to fit the islands in. Tried and trusted route would be Phuket/Phi Phi/Krabi/Samui/Phangan (full moon)/ Koh Tao then back to Bangkok.
Quieter places include Koh Lanta, Koh Lipe and Koh Phayam.
Sadly for you it's the most expensive time of year for accommodation in Thailand. Use websites like agoda or booking.com for decent deals. These two sites also have hostels and guesthouses if you are on a tighter budget.
I'm in the hospitality business in Phuket so don't hesitate to ask for any info.
It's either Krabi or Goa....it's not just up to me, so let's see what the others decide.
As for PADI, Koh Tao is the cheapest place to do it but if you are in Koh Phangan for New Year it doesn't make sense to go to Koh Tao early in your trip. Phuket, Phi Phi or Krabi all have accredited dive shops and it'll cost between 250 and 300 pounds at that time of year to take a PADI open-water course. No need to book in advance.