BootsnAll Travel Community

I finally got my tickets to Bangkok! I'll be there the whole of septmber and 1st week of october and most of the time I´ll be travelling through northern thailand and laos. But I definately want to spend a few days laying on a hammock on the beach before I get back to madrid. I don't know how long I'll be at the beach because I don't know how long I'll be travelling around N Thailand and Laos, but I suppose I'll end up having one week. I narrowed my options down to three. Krabi (and around), Koh Pha Ngan/Koh Tao or Koh Chang. Krabi sounds the most appealing to me, besides Air Asia seems to have really cheap flights so I wouldn't waste much time travelling there. but given the fact that I´ll be travelling during the monsoons, it may not be the best option weatherwise. Koh Pha Ngan or Koh Tao seem great too, but they don't seem to have all those karst things that the andaman coats have and that I´m really interested in seeing, besides, it seems to take quite long to get there compared to the 1 hour flight to krabi (I know you can fly to samui, but it isn't that cheap). Then Koh Chang, it sounds nice. Is there a way to get there without having to go through BKK? I'll be coming down from Vientiane, so do you know if there are any conections from Isan to Trat?

Do not know about direct bus runs as most seem to radiate out of BK and cross countryruns could be with less reliable services, most Thais I imagine heading into or out of BK rather than than heading between other points.

Just for your info, Koh Tao was having flooding as late as November last year so you could get monsoon extended wet weather wherever you go.

Have you considered a cheap flight to Singapore and then across to Bali to get out of the monsoon region.

We're in Koh Pha Ngan right now and have finally found the beach we were looking for after 2 months travelling in SEA!

I had my heart set on Koh Lanta (near Krabi) but when we got there it was right at the end of the season. There wasn't a lot open and it lacked atmosphere.

We're staying at Hadd Yao (or Hat Yao) on Koh Pha Ngan and love it. A beautiful beach. Much better than those which stretch on for kilometres and are a bit dull.

It's a very quiet season here but there are just enough people about to make it a laid back, friendly atmosphere.

We chose to fly to Samui from Bangkok due to lack of time. It cost as far as I am copncerned. You even get free stuff in the 'Courtesy corner' at Bangkok airport (internet access, drinks , cakes, etc).

KG

koh phi phi! koh phi phi! my paradise. But its so small and you cant fly in there, so second after that I'd say koh pha ngan.

Krabi seems kind of limiting to me. It is a decent jumping off place for Phi Phi and Lanta.

But, I tend to prefer Phuket as it is not difficult to get from there to Krabi, Phi Phi, Lanta, Khao Sok National Park, Khao Lak, etc.

Away from the tourist areas - Phuket has a lot to offer. Unfornately many people have only visited and staying in Patong/Kata/Karon and think they know Phuket.

The northern part of the island is much less crowded, some beaches are almost deserted, rural villages abound. Quite different.