Krabi, Thailand - Anyone been? Ao Nang Beach etc?
Discussion
Hi im,
We were there in 07.
Krabi is the province, Ao Nang is the biggest beach resort in that province, but the brochure definition of 'Ao Nang' stretches from the 5* uber-expensive Rayavadee just to the East of the town proper around the coast and up a little way towards Phang Nga Bay (James Bond Island). Make sure your resort is by the coast though - inland is fairly rural and quiet!
We stayed in Ao Nang town itself - fairly typical Thai seaside tourist town, far from unspoilt but not over-touristified. Not sure it'd be the first place we'd go back to (too many other places to see in the world), but it was nice, and there was no 'bar/club' culture like you get in e.g. Chaweng (Koh Samui), so aside from a couple of pushy stall-holders it was nice and relaxed. Nice choice of restaurants, but nothing 'posh' in town itself. Still good, proper Thai food though, if that's what you're after. Beach in town is nice, but IS NOT 'beautiful white sand'. However, a long-tail-boat trip to Railay beach (which the Rayavadee sits just behind) doesn't take long, and that IS beautiful. You can also do a day-trip around 4 small islands or a day-trip to Phi Phi, which are all, again, picture-postcard stuff.
Round to the West (if I were you I'd google for a map of the place which show where the resorts are - otherwise you could find yourself out on a limb) the only access to/from the town is the road or a walkway which goes around the headland - apparently not something you really want to do at night. Some of the 4* places (Sheraton for one) are round there, and they may have the pretty beaches. There are SOME restaurants near them though, but I suspect your budget may need to increase. We didn't do that bit - might be worth the extra - certainly closer to Phang Nga Bay, which we didn't get to but which apparently looks like a mini Halong Bay.
Pics here of our hols (inc. Bangkok and Chiang Mai) - "K-Ao Nang07..." is of the town itself, "K-4Islands07..." is the boat-trip, so you can see the difference.
http://s101.photobucket.com/albums/m54/martin-w/Ho...
I'd put it above Chaweng in a heartbeat, it seems to be well-regarded vs Phuket too, but it's not going to match-up to e.g. the Maldives...except in food quality and genuine warmth from the locals - we had some fantastic fresh seafood there!
We were there in 07.
Krabi is the province, Ao Nang is the biggest beach resort in that province, but the brochure definition of 'Ao Nang' stretches from the 5* uber-expensive Rayavadee just to the East of the town proper around the coast and up a little way towards Phang Nga Bay (James Bond Island). Make sure your resort is by the coast though - inland is fairly rural and quiet!
We stayed in Ao Nang town itself - fairly typical Thai seaside tourist town, far from unspoilt but not over-touristified. Not sure it'd be the first place we'd go back to (too many other places to see in the world), but it was nice, and there was no 'bar/club' culture like you get in e.g. Chaweng (Koh Samui), so aside from a couple of pushy stall-holders it was nice and relaxed. Nice choice of restaurants, but nothing 'posh' in town itself. Still good, proper Thai food though, if that's what you're after. Beach in town is nice, but IS NOT 'beautiful white sand'. However, a long-tail-boat trip to Railay beach (which the Rayavadee sits just behind) doesn't take long, and that IS beautiful. You can also do a day-trip around 4 small islands or a day-trip to Phi Phi, which are all, again, picture-postcard stuff.
Round to the West (if I were you I'd google for a map of the place which show where the resorts are - otherwise you could find yourself out on a limb) the only access to/from the town is the road or a walkway which goes around the headland - apparently not something you really want to do at night. Some of the 4* places (Sheraton for one) are round there, and they may have the pretty beaches. There are SOME restaurants near them though, but I suspect your budget may need to increase. We didn't do that bit - might be worth the extra - certainly closer to Phang Nga Bay, which we didn't get to but which apparently looks like a mini Halong Bay.
Pics here of our hols (inc. Bangkok and Chiang Mai) - "K-Ao Nang07..." is of the town itself, "K-4Islands07..." is the boat-trip, so you can see the difference.
http://s101.photobucket.com/albums/m54/martin-w/Ho...
I'd put it above Chaweng in a heartbeat, it seems to be well-regarded vs Phuket too, but it's not going to match-up to e.g. the Maldives...except in food quality and genuine warmth from the locals - we had some fantastic fresh seafood there!
Me and Mrs Ghost were there a few years back and it was very nice. Since then a few new hotels have gone up apparently but it is still less developed than other parts of Thailand.
The hotel to have a look at is the Centara according to friends who have been recently
http://www.centarahotelsresorts.com/ckbr/ckbr_defa...
This was built after we were there and is set in it's own bay just around the headland from the main strip apparently. We have used the sister hotel in Kho Samui and it is excellent.
One good trip we did was on a jet boat to Kho Phi Phi islands with stops for snorkelling in the sea on the way out and back and a spot on lobster lunch to boot
The hotel to have a look at is the Centara according to friends who have been recently
http://www.centarahotelsresorts.com/ckbr/ckbr_defa...
This was built after we were there and is set in it's own bay just around the headland from the main strip apparently. We have used the sister hotel in Kho Samui and it is excellent.
One good trip we did was on a jet boat to Kho Phi Phi islands with stops for snorkelling in the sea on the way out and back and a spot on lobster lunch to boot
Edited by Grey Ghost on Wednesday 11th January 09:32
Hi Havoc 
Well, what a great report fella - brilliant, well above the call-of-duty, thank you very much. My wife and I also viewed all of your pics and you're quite the photographer too
Some questions, if you don't mind:
My wife and I LOVE white sand beaches are both Railay and Koh Phi Phi beaches white sand? What beach is it that your photos are of, the ones with white sand? It looks beautiful.
Railay beach: I assume this is reached by long-tail-boat so what are the logistics of this ie: Time on-board the boat (wife gets sea-sick after about 30 minutes), availabilty of the boats, cost of the trip.
Koh Phi Phi beach: I suspect this is the beach in your photos? Again, if this is a day-trip from Ao Nang is it overland or by boat? Any idea of cost, travel duration etc. Do you have to take drinks etc with you or are there places to buy these nearby the beach?
What else is there to see in the immediate Ao Nang area during the day or are we really saying Ao Nang is a beach only holiday?
Finally, What is there to do in the evening? Restaurants? Perhaps one Music bar or club? Or will we be bored rigid after 9pm at night?
I appreciate the Maldives are probably better for the white beaches but they're a little out of my price range this year for a 14 day holiday.
Sorry to be sooooo questioning but you and Grey Ghost are the victims of your own success - such great and knowledgable replies that I feel I can take your advice as fact.
Well, what a great report fella - brilliant, well above the call-of-duty, thank you very much. My wife and I also viewed all of your pics and you're quite the photographer too
Some questions, if you don't mind:
My wife and I LOVE white sand beaches are both Railay and Koh Phi Phi beaches white sand? What beach is it that your photos are of, the ones with white sand? It looks beautiful.
Railay beach: I assume this is reached by long-tail-boat so what are the logistics of this ie: Time on-board the boat (wife gets sea-sick after about 30 minutes), availabilty of the boats, cost of the trip.
Koh Phi Phi beach: I suspect this is the beach in your photos? Again, if this is a day-trip from Ao Nang is it overland or by boat? Any idea of cost, travel duration etc. Do you have to take drinks etc with you or are there places to buy these nearby the beach?
What else is there to see in the immediate Ao Nang area during the day or are we really saying Ao Nang is a beach only holiday?
Finally, What is there to do in the evening? Restaurants? Perhaps one Music bar or club? Or will we be bored rigid after 9pm at night?
I appreciate the Maldives are probably better for the white beaches but they're a little out of my price range this year for a 14 day holiday.
Sorry to be sooooo questioning but you and Grey Ghost are the victims of your own success - such great and knowledgable replies that I feel I can take your advice as fact.
Hi Grey Ghost
Again, brilliant mate! Thanks VERY much. I clicked on your link for the hotel and filled in my dates but there's no rooms available for the time I'm going (24/11/12 for 14 days).
The hotel looks lovely mind and right on the beach too!
Thanks again fella....I'll certainly want one of those lobster lunches (the wife and I love lobster/crab etc)
Again, brilliant mate! Thanks VERY much. I clicked on your link for the hotel and filled in my dates but there's no rooms available for the time I'm going (24/11/12 for 14 days).
The hotel looks lovely mind and right on the beach too!
Thanks again fella....I'll certainly want one of those lobster lunches (the wife and I love lobster/crab etc)
No worries fella.
The white sandy beaches are all from the '4 islands' day-trip - we didn't get to Phi Phi. Railay looked very similar, and I'd expect Phi Phi to as well, from what I've heard.
Railay - can't remember the duration (long enough - 20mins?), but the long-tails are a bumpy ride! And then there's the petrol fumes too, if the wind's blowing wrong. Suggest your wife takes some of those wrist-bands, or extra-strong seasickness tablets. Boats - loads of 'em, lined up on the beach, cost is pretty small to be honest. Facilities at Railay amount to a public toilet block and (I think) a couple of stalls - not a lot. Albeit that was 4 years ago...
Phi Phi - never been, worth a google on TripAdvisor forums.
Ao Nang nightlife. I'm sure there were a couple of bars, plus all the hotels have their own bars, but there's not a lot, to be honest. Other stuff to see / do - day-trip to Phang Nga Bay, day-trip to Phi Phi, boat trip, erm...and I can't think of anything else. There may be something inland now, but there wasn't when we were there. It IS just beach/coast round there.
I'd be tempted to book maybe 7-10 days there, and then the rest of the time either just in Bangkok (cool place - if you've not done it before you really must - 3-4 days would be enough in the centre) or maybe between BKK and Chiang Mai (also very nice...small city but had a nice vibe to it...another flight to catch there though).
The white sandy beaches are all from the '4 islands' day-trip - we didn't get to Phi Phi. Railay looked very similar, and I'd expect Phi Phi to as well, from what I've heard.
Railay - can't remember the duration (long enough - 20mins?), but the long-tails are a bumpy ride! And then there's the petrol fumes too, if the wind's blowing wrong. Suggest your wife takes some of those wrist-bands, or extra-strong seasickness tablets. Boats - loads of 'em, lined up on the beach, cost is pretty small to be honest. Facilities at Railay amount to a public toilet block and (I think) a couple of stalls - not a lot. Albeit that was 4 years ago...
Phi Phi - never been, worth a google on TripAdvisor forums.
Ao Nang nightlife. I'm sure there were a couple of bars, plus all the hotels have their own bars, but there's not a lot, to be honest. Other stuff to see / do - day-trip to Phang Nga Bay, day-trip to Phi Phi, boat trip, erm...and I can't think of anything else. There may be something inland now, but there wasn't when we were there. It IS just beach/coast round there.
I'd be tempted to book maybe 7-10 days there, and then the rest of the time either just in Bangkok (cool place - if you've not done it before you really must - 3-4 days would be enough in the centre) or maybe between BKK and Chiang Mai (also very nice...small city but had a nice vibe to it...another flight to catch there though).
Hello fellow TVR nut 
I am just lucky enough to have visited a few places around the globe that I really enjoyed and now keep tabs on the local developments in case I want to go back.
The far east in probably my favourite part of the world with Penang and Langkawi also well worth a visit if you get the bug for that part of the world. Add a 2 night stay in KL on the way home for a spot of shopping and all is well
I am just lucky enough to have visited a few places around the globe that I really enjoyed and now keep tabs on the local developments in case I want to go back.
The far east in probably my favourite part of the world with Penang and Langkawi also well worth a visit if you get the bug for that part of the world. Add a 2 night stay in KL on the way home for a spot of shopping and all is well
Right, Havoc, my fellow Accountant and Grey Ghost my...
...car stealing friend! 
OK...I'm booked!
With your advice SWMBO and I decided that Thailand was too far to go without actually 'doing' at least a day or two in Bangkok.
Consequently we've paid a deposit to Hayes & Jarvis on 2 nights in Bangkok and 12 nights in Ao Nang, Krabi.
Bangkok: We're booked into the Shanghai Mansion which is in the middle of China Town. Apparently its done out very stylishly as can be seen here:
http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g293916-...
...and gets some great reviews for 3/4 star boutique hotel.
Mrs im wants to do some shopping so I've done a bit of 'Googling' and it seems that Chatuchuk weekend market is the place to head for if only for the sheer scale of it - but I'm open to suggestions. I'm also told Khao San Road is worth a wander down at night but again thats just net-chat.
Krabi: 12 nights at the La Playa hotel in Ao Nang:
http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g1507054...
Reviews range from "Hidden Gem" to "Disappointed" on Trip Advisor but it is (apparently) shielded from street noise whilst being well located in Ao Nang and gets 4/5 from Trip Advisor. It's also very convenient for 2 beaches although which 2 I don't know but presume 1 of them is the main beach.
The hotel is marked on this map:
There appear to be 2 beaches here, 1 is north of the bit of headland sticking out into the sea and 1 is south. I suspect the 1 to the north is the main beach but could be wrong.
I'll certainly be doing the Koh phi phi thing and...is it Railay (Rai Leh?) Beach? I dunno, but we'll certainly have a scout about.
Overall cost for the 2 of us for 14 nights (B & B in both hotels, Departing in late November) is approx £2,700
Chaps - Thanks for all your time taken formulating replies - very helpful - and planted the seed for the split holiday
Now if Grey Ghost will just give me his address I'll come and get my car back
...car stealing friend! OK...I'm booked!
With your advice SWMBO and I decided that Thailand was too far to go without actually 'doing' at least a day or two in Bangkok.
Consequently we've paid a deposit to Hayes & Jarvis on 2 nights in Bangkok and 12 nights in Ao Nang, Krabi.
Bangkok: We're booked into the Shanghai Mansion which is in the middle of China Town. Apparently its done out very stylishly as can be seen here:
http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g293916-...
...and gets some great reviews for 3/4 star boutique hotel.
Mrs im wants to do some shopping so I've done a bit of 'Googling' and it seems that Chatuchuk weekend market is the place to head for if only for the sheer scale of it - but I'm open to suggestions. I'm also told Khao San Road is worth a wander down at night but again thats just net-chat.
Krabi: 12 nights at the La Playa hotel in Ao Nang:
http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g1507054...
Reviews range from "Hidden Gem" to "Disappointed" on Trip Advisor but it is (apparently) shielded from street noise whilst being well located in Ao Nang and gets 4/5 from Trip Advisor. It's also very convenient for 2 beaches although which 2 I don't know but presume 1 of them is the main beach.
The hotel is marked on this map:
There appear to be 2 beaches here, 1 is north of the bit of headland sticking out into the sea and 1 is south. I suspect the 1 to the north is the main beach but could be wrong.
I'll certainly be doing the Koh phi phi thing and...is it Railay (Rai Leh?) Beach? I dunno, but we'll certainly have a scout about.
Overall cost for the 2 of us for 14 nights (B & B in both hotels, Departing in late November) is approx £2,700
Chaps - Thanks for all your time taken formulating replies - very helpful - and planted the seed for the split holiday
Now if Grey Ghost will just give me his address I'll come and get my car back
im said:
Now if Grey Ghost will just give me his address I'll come and get my car back
Now you have booked yourself a stay in Bangkok have a google for "Siam Paragon" and enjoy the experience.....large central store (think House of Fraser), 5 further floors of shops from the simple Thai household shop to a Porsche and Ferrari dealer, ground floor food hall that is excellent and cheap (plenty of decent restaurants as well), basement houses an aquarium which is worth a visit and the top floor has a multi screen cinema, i-max and a large ten pin bowling alley with karoke rooms if you are that way inclined
You will be hooked
I've been to Thailand 3 times with my backpack.
I went to stay on Railey beach 3 times, simply because it's the nicest place I've been to on the planet.
I'll be blunt here, I took the boat with the intention of staying at Ao Nang, and got the next boat out.
Don't fret, you can get to Railey in around 30 minutes I think.
I went to Koh Phi Phi 3 times too, the last was after the Tsunami and it wasn't the same. To be fair though, I think it changed into something you are looking for, a bit more upmarket. Being a bit older now, that's what I would want now too.
If you arrive on Railey from Krabi, you land on the crap side. It's a mud swap. Don't worry, the proper bit is round the corner.
Take some immodium and some rehydration powder if you get the squits, it's a shame to lose a day or two of your holiday because of it.
Don't expect too much from the food in that neck of the woods either, despite the fresh fish and whatnot most places haven't got a clue what to do with it unless you head into the nicer hotels.
If you come from a large city in England, be expected to be quizzed on the local football team. Failure to know every result from Manchester United or Liverpools 87/88 season will be met with a bewildered look (I'm exaggerating a bit here) Take a little football present or something typically English as a gift for someone who looks after you, and they'll appreciate it like you wouldn't believe.
Walk around nodding and saying 'Sa wat di' http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdI9654EF0s any time of the day and they'll respect you for it.
Thai people can seem a bit too friendly, maybe a bit too subsrviant, just let it go and try not to be 'too British', it's how they are. They non stop smiles can seem to be insane after a while ...
Enjoy, I know you will.
I went to stay on Railey beach 3 times, simply because it's the nicest place I've been to on the planet.
I'll be blunt here, I took the boat with the intention of staying at Ao Nang, and got the next boat out.
Don't fret, you can get to Railey in around 30 minutes I think.
I went to Koh Phi Phi 3 times too, the last was after the Tsunami and it wasn't the same. To be fair though, I think it changed into something you are looking for, a bit more upmarket. Being a bit older now, that's what I would want now too.
If you arrive on Railey from Krabi, you land on the crap side. It's a mud swap. Don't worry, the proper bit is round the corner.
Take some immodium and some rehydration powder if you get the squits, it's a shame to lose a day or two of your holiday because of it.
Don't expect too much from the food in that neck of the woods either, despite the fresh fish and whatnot most places haven't got a clue what to do with it unless you head into the nicer hotels.
If you come from a large city in England, be expected to be quizzed on the local football team. Failure to know every result from Manchester United or Liverpools 87/88 season will be met with a bewildered look (I'm exaggerating a bit here) Take a little football present or something typically English as a gift for someone who looks after you, and they'll appreciate it like you wouldn't believe.
Walk around nodding and saying 'Sa wat di' http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdI9654EF0s any time of the day and they'll respect you for it.
Thai people can seem a bit too friendly, maybe a bit too subsrviant, just let it go and try not to be 'too British', it's how they are. They non stop smiles can seem to be insane after a while ...
Enjoy, I know you will.
Late Nov - take lightweight raincoats - it might rain, but if so it'll be a downpour for a little while then pass...they don't tend to get the grey/miserable days we do, so it's not a huge problem.
- the top-left beach isn't up to much - muddy sand, IYSWIM.
- the bottom-centre beach is the main town beach, the one you can see in a couple of my photos. Decent golden sand, bit of gentle surf, very nice for a stroll. (see my pics suffixed 07050, 07148, 07402b and 07402c, plus most of the sunset-y photos)
- the woody bit jutting out in between is actually a great big hill. (see my poolside pic suffixed ...07220)
- there's a 'run' of 5 or 6 restaurants jutting out over the nice beach - where the road leaves the coastline to head north towards your hotel, they're literally right there, running NW away from the road along the beach-line*
- the core of town is along the bottom of the map, starting half-way between your hotel and the coast and running along the coast road and then a few hundred yards out the other side when the road heads inland just south of your map.
- if you follow the road off the map to the NW you get to the Sheraton etc.
- Railay beach (Rai Leh is the same thing) is off the map roughly due south (offset right a bit from centre), as is the Rayavadee. I don't recall landing on the 's
t part' when we visited via Longtail though...
Anyway, Bangkok:-
- Chatuchak is HUGE!!! (and more !!! for good measure - try 3-4 football pitches in size - i've seen smaller airfields) You can get everything from some doughnutty-things on sticks to food for dinner (including live chickens) to pets to a fake rolex to clothing to electrical goods to...well, think of something it's probably there. But it's a market - an experience more than a shopping trip.
- There's a few decent 'shopping malls' along the Sukhumvit Road, think near the 'Siam' skytrain stop. Don't expect Harrods, but more westernised shopping, so more familiar.
- That said, with only 2 days in BKK I'd not spend a second shopping (well, except for #4 below). My 2 days would be:-
1) 2-3 hours in the Royal Palace. Stunning, beautiful, wow - the colours are amazing, and the long painted fresco from the Ramayana is pretty cool too.
2) Cross the Chao Phraya river to visit Wat Arun (Temple of the Dawn) - worth a short stroll around, pretty interesting place.
3) Book a dinner cruise on the river. Very touristy, but a good way to get a boat trip and we enjoyed it.
4) Stroll around Patpong market after dark, just for the experience (watches, t-shirts, jewellery). As long as you don't go in any of the bars lining the sides, that is (Hint, if a bloke in a suit offers you a 'menu' to look at, it's NOT got food and drink on it... )
5) If you're not templed-out, you could go to either the Golden Mount (good views) or the Reclining Buddha (Big Buddha).
6) Otherwise, maybe just take a stroll around some of the riverside areas, soak up some of Bangkok.
7) ...or give in and go to Chatuchak for a morning!
Don't eat in the hotel...no point spending that much money. You're riverside, so I can't really recommend 'Cabbages & Condoms' (along Sukhumvit, something like Soi-10 to Soi-13 ("Soi" are the roads crossing it, numbered as you head away from the river) as the taxi fare would be too much. But there'll be tons of decent places near the river to pick from...
* (OK it's 4 years ago already, but we found one of the middle ones to be best - 3rd or 4th along - they had a glass-fronted ice-lined 'fish counter' on display in the walkway and we ate on the balcony overlooking the beach/sea each evening...REALLY cool, and the fresh fish was always good. Not sure what sneijder expects from his food, but a few of the places there did decently cooked and VERY flavoursome seafood, plus the usual curries etc. Certainly not Michelin star, but who goes to Thailand for that???)
im said:
The hotel is marked on this map:
There appear to be 2 beaches here, 1 is north of the bit of headland sticking out into the sea and 1 is south. I suspect the 1 to the north is the main beach but could be wrong.
Good location - we stayed in the same general area as you, think one of the neighbouring hotels. With reference to that map:-There appear to be 2 beaches here, 1 is north of the bit of headland sticking out into the sea and 1 is south. I suspect the 1 to the north is the main beach but could be wrong.
- the top-left beach isn't up to much - muddy sand, IYSWIM.
- the bottom-centre beach is the main town beach, the one you can see in a couple of my photos. Decent golden sand, bit of gentle surf, very nice for a stroll. (see my pics suffixed 07050, 07148, 07402b and 07402c, plus most of the sunset-y photos)
- the woody bit jutting out in between is actually a great big hill. (see my poolside pic suffixed ...07220)
- there's a 'run' of 5 or 6 restaurants jutting out over the nice beach - where the road leaves the coastline to head north towards your hotel, they're literally right there, running NW away from the road along the beach-line*
- the core of town is along the bottom of the map, starting half-way between your hotel and the coast and running along the coast road and then a few hundred yards out the other side when the road heads inland just south of your map.
- if you follow the road off the map to the NW you get to the Sheraton etc.
- Railay beach (Rai Leh is the same thing) is off the map roughly due south (offset right a bit from centre), as is the Rayavadee. I don't recall landing on the 's
t part' when we visited via Longtail though...Anyway, Bangkok:-
- Chatuchak is HUGE!!! (and more !!! for good measure - try 3-4 football pitches in size - i've seen smaller airfields) You can get everything from some doughnutty-things on sticks to food for dinner (including live chickens) to pets to a fake rolex to clothing to electrical goods to...well, think of something it's probably there. But it's a market - an experience more than a shopping trip.
- There's a few decent 'shopping malls' along the Sukhumvit Road, think near the 'Siam' skytrain stop. Don't expect Harrods, but more westernised shopping, so more familiar.
- That said, with only 2 days in BKK I'd not spend a second shopping (well, except for #4 below). My 2 days would be:-
1) 2-3 hours in the Royal Palace. Stunning, beautiful, wow - the colours are amazing, and the long painted fresco from the Ramayana is pretty cool too.
2) Cross the Chao Phraya river to visit Wat Arun (Temple of the Dawn) - worth a short stroll around, pretty interesting place.
3) Book a dinner cruise on the river. Very touristy, but a good way to get a boat trip and we enjoyed it.
4) Stroll around Patpong market after dark, just for the experience (watches, t-shirts, jewellery). As long as you don't go in any of the bars lining the sides, that is (Hint, if a bloke in a suit offers you a 'menu' to look at, it's NOT got food and drink on it...
)5) If you're not templed-out, you could go to either the Golden Mount (good views) or the Reclining Buddha (Big Buddha).
6) Otherwise, maybe just take a stroll around some of the riverside areas, soak up some of Bangkok.
7) ...or give in and go to Chatuchak for a morning!
Don't eat in the hotel...no point spending that much money. You're riverside, so I can't really recommend 'Cabbages & Condoms' (along Sukhumvit, something like Soi-10 to Soi-13 ("Soi" are the roads crossing it, numbered as you head away from the river) as the taxi fare would be too much. But there'll be tons of decent places near the river to pick from...
* (OK it's 4 years ago already, but we found one of the middle ones to be best - 3rd or 4th along - they had a glass-fronted ice-lined 'fish counter' on display in the walkway and we ate on the balcony overlooking the beach/sea each evening...REALLY cool, and the fresh fish was always good. Not sure what sneijder expects from his food, but a few of the places there did decently cooked and VERY flavoursome seafood, plus the usual curries etc. Certainly not Michelin star, but who goes to Thailand for that???)
A Nang has changed a lot in the last two year, (since the starbuck opened at the south end of town) a lot more touristy today, but a good place to stay, loada of good resourts, I always stay at the Beach Terrece Hotel, at the North end of town, it is the only hotel that has access to the beach, all the others you have to cross the service road, some of the exensive hotels in the next bay north of the town access the beach as well but the bay terreca is 25 pound a night with American Breakfast for two,
You can access all the thai tourist things from Ah Nang, Elephant treck, white water etc and the long tail goes to Pi Pi,
Railay bay today is awfull, all built up, and you have to keep to the paths, but worth a day trip on a long tail (froom center of Ah Nang beach) just to visit Princess cave bay and the lagoon.
At the right time of year you can goo diving, but in the monsoon this is retricted by the swell.
Go to the tiger tempel in Krabbie and walk to the top.
You can access all the thai tourist things from Ah Nang, Elephant treck, white water etc and the long tail goes to Pi Pi,
Railay bay today is awfull, all built up, and you have to keep to the paths, but worth a day trip on a long tail (froom center of Ah Nang beach) just to visit Princess cave bay and the lagoon.
At the right time of year you can goo diving, but in the monsoon this is retricted by the swell.
Go to the tiger tempel in Krabbie and walk to the top.
Chatujak Market is good for an experience but its very hot in there, you can see pretty much all of the same stuff but in MBK.
Don't go shopping down Koh San it's at least 1/3 more expensive than MBK.
Paragon shopping mall is nice but mostly western shops, Central World which is once stop on the BTS before Siam Paragon is nearly finished being rebuilt.
You also have two shopping malls attached to Paragon, so walk through Paragon towards Siam Discovery, when you pop out the other side MBK is in front of you, you can't miss it.
Across the road from Paragon (looking at the True shop) there's loads of soi's that have more Thai designers knocking out nice gear. Hard Rock cafe is there too.
If you like wine after shopping go to a bar called 494 at the Erawan Hotel, they have happy hour 7-9 with loads of wines at 99thb a glass.
If you don't want western shops then a new mall has just opened at Asok BTS called Terminal 21, and that's just full of Thai designers.
There's loads more I could say, as I was living in Bangkok for 3.5 years up until 6 weeks ago, so if there's anymore you want to know then just ask away.
Don't go shopping down Koh San it's at least 1/3 more expensive than MBK.
Paragon shopping mall is nice but mostly western shops, Central World which is once stop on the BTS before Siam Paragon is nearly finished being rebuilt.
You also have two shopping malls attached to Paragon, so walk through Paragon towards Siam Discovery, when you pop out the other side MBK is in front of you, you can't miss it.
Across the road from Paragon (looking at the True shop) there's loads of soi's that have more Thai designers knocking out nice gear. Hard Rock cafe is there too.
If you like wine after shopping go to a bar called 494 at the Erawan Hotel, they have happy hour 7-9 with loads of wines at 99thb a glass.
If you don't want western shops then a new mall has just opened at Asok BTS called Terminal 21, and that's just full of Thai designers.
There's loads more I could say, as I was living in Bangkok for 3.5 years up until 6 weeks ago, so if there's anymore you want to know then just ask away.
Long tail times, Krabbie to Ray lai 45 min, from Krabbie new pier ro RL 30 min, ok almost all the time, Ah Nang to Ray Lai is 15 min but can be rough in the SW Monsoon, No need for long tail to Ko samui, there is a ferry evry 30 min in the day,
Pi Pi from Hrabie new pier in a speed boat 1 hour, again no need fo along tail speed boat is reguler
7 years ago ray lai was great but in the last 6 there has been loads of building.
For a quiter beash go SE from Krabbie to Pak Meng and Trang, you will be the only European there.
Pi Pi from Hrabie new pier in a speed boat 1 hour, again no need fo along tail speed boat is reguler
7 years ago ray lai was great but in the last 6 there has been loads of building.
For a quiter beash go SE from Krabbie to Pak Meng and Trang, you will be the only European there.
Sorry for coming into this late, i was there in 2009...and here is my 2p if you like
I went out there with a pal and we did the islands before heading back to Bangkok...We had to go via Krabi to get to Phi Phi (via ferry) and so we stayed more or less near the port. The little village looked completely empty so we went for a walk and stumbled on an outdoor market. It was brilliant, with music, food and very friendly people. No idea where it was which may not be what you need but that is all i can remember.
Phi Phi is where we went and it is definitely the prettiest of the islands from what I have seen and what I have been told…it is very small and therefore quite a bit of fun. If you do go there I recommend going to the Maya Beach (the beach from the movie…errr The Beach) and camping there over night…the island is yours! There are lots of places to stay, but you are not obliged with anything…we had a look at one place, but the hut they had for us was literally somewhere we would just get robbed in ten seconds…so we went and stayed in the furthest hut place on the island (5/7 minute walk from the main restaurant/bar area) and we paid something like £40 a night each…but we got luxury…great huts, clean, all the amenities…and well looked after…it is up to you really…
Places to see things to do (use one of the main tourist places…they are all linked together and it is very much like organised chaos…think our defence two years ago!)
Bay View Resort – Accomodation http://www.phiphibayview.com/villa-phi-phi.html
Maya Beach Overnight Camping (camping isnt what i would say, passing out on the beach is more appropriate) – Experience
Snorkelling Speed Boat Trip – Experience
Then back to Bangkok. We stayed in the Leboa State hotel, which is a very nice place, and we got a very good deal for it all the way back then...not sure what it is like now, after Hangover 2 fame. The shopping centres are nice, MBK is crazy...the other shopping centres would not look out of place in London, NY wherever. As also mentioned there are many tailors over the road, and we used a place called Rajawongse (www.dress-for-success.com) who were extremely good. Got me 4 made to measure shirts in 3 days. They are still worn today!
There are many nice clubs and bars and the people are generally extemely friendly. One restaurant that really stuck out was a place called Cabbages and Condoms...a very very good place to eat, the only place out of 3 weeks that got visited twice!
All in all, have an awesome time! Oh and if you are a good photographer take a camera...i am not, so i didn't and for this moment, i regret it...
I went out there with a pal and we did the islands before heading back to Bangkok...We had to go via Krabi to get to Phi Phi (via ferry) and so we stayed more or less near the port. The little village looked completely empty so we went for a walk and stumbled on an outdoor market. It was brilliant, with music, food and very friendly people. No idea where it was which may not be what you need but that is all i can remember.
Phi Phi is where we went and it is definitely the prettiest of the islands from what I have seen and what I have been told…it is very small and therefore quite a bit of fun. If you do go there I recommend going to the Maya Beach (the beach from the movie…errr The Beach) and camping there over night…the island is yours! There are lots of places to stay, but you are not obliged with anything…we had a look at one place, but the hut they had for us was literally somewhere we would just get robbed in ten seconds…so we went and stayed in the furthest hut place on the island (5/7 minute walk from the main restaurant/bar area) and we paid something like £40 a night each…but we got luxury…great huts, clean, all the amenities…and well looked after…it is up to you really…
Places to see things to do (use one of the main tourist places…they are all linked together and it is very much like organised chaos…think our defence two years ago!)
Bay View Resort – Accomodation http://www.phiphibayview.com/villa-phi-phi.html
Maya Beach Overnight Camping (camping isnt what i would say, passing out on the beach is more appropriate) – Experience
Snorkelling Speed Boat Trip – Experience
Then back to Bangkok. We stayed in the Leboa State hotel, which is a very nice place, and we got a very good deal for it all the way back then...not sure what it is like now, after Hangover 2 fame. The shopping centres are nice, MBK is crazy...the other shopping centres would not look out of place in London, NY wherever. As also mentioned there are many tailors over the road, and we used a place called Rajawongse (www.dress-for-success.com) who were extremely good. Got me 4 made to measure shirts in 3 days. They are still worn today!
There are many nice clubs and bars and the people are generally extemely friendly. One restaurant that really stuck out was a place called Cabbages and Condoms...a very very good place to eat, the only place out of 3 weeks that got visited twice!
All in all, have an awesome time! Oh and if you are a good photographer take a camera...i am not, so i didn't and for this moment, i regret it...
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