Discussion
Hi guys,
I have 2 weeks in Phuket booked, flying out on Monday. Booked a package deal for myself and the girlfriend as it was only marginally more than flights alone. We're staying at Thavorn Beach Village near Patong. Idea was to use this as a base and try and visit some other places as regional travel seems to be cheap...
We were thinking 2 nights in Bangkok. Any other recommendations for a couple of nights? Have heard mixed reviews about Krabi, and she was keen to visit the Phi Phi islands.
Any points of interest or fun things to do would be appreciated.
Anything to avoid?
I've heard Bolt is the go-to for taxis.
I'm aware we are on the cusp of monsoon season, we've been regularly checking the forecast and it seems to be good for now so fingers crossed.
Cheers.
I have 2 weeks in Phuket booked, flying out on Monday. Booked a package deal for myself and the girlfriend as it was only marginally more than flights alone. We're staying at Thavorn Beach Village near Patong. Idea was to use this as a base and try and visit some other places as regional travel seems to be cheap...
We were thinking 2 nights in Bangkok. Any other recommendations for a couple of nights? Have heard mixed reviews about Krabi, and she was keen to visit the Phi Phi islands.
Any points of interest or fun things to do would be appreciated.
Anything to avoid?
I've heard Bolt is the go-to for taxis.
I'm aware we are on the cusp of monsoon season, we've been regularly checking the forecast and it seems to be good for now so fingers crossed.
Cheers.
I would extend Bangkok by another night to begin with, IME it is one of the best and most vibrant cities of the planet. It is a blend of chaos, nightlife, luxury, great food, temples, tropical parks and run down side streets.
Patong is home to Bangla road, one of the most infamous and vibrant streets in Thailand. You will either love it or hate it but its probably worth a stroll at night just to be nosey.
Karon beach is just down the road and much quieter, Kata is even quieter and a decent beach. Patong beach is to be avioded.
Phuket town is quite interesting for an evening and not that touristy but it is quite run down in places. That is also where you will be getting the ferry from to Phi Phi etc.
Krabi is quite a large area but a good location for island exploring and its airport. Ao Nang is the most developed resort with endless restaurants etc but not much variety. Very much an ideal family resort that is hassle free. Personally I prefer something more rustic and basic that you get on the smaller islands.
Railay beach is next door and worth a day there, nice beach with some reggae food/drink wooden shacks and a viewpoint with a hidden lagoon.
Check out Koh Lanta if you want a chilled island.
Patong is home to Bangla road, one of the most infamous and vibrant streets in Thailand. You will either love it or hate it but its probably worth a stroll at night just to be nosey.
Karon beach is just down the road and much quieter, Kata is even quieter and a decent beach. Patong beach is to be avioded.
Phuket town is quite interesting for an evening and not that touristy but it is quite run down in places. That is also where you will be getting the ferry from to Phi Phi etc.
Krabi is quite a large area but a good location for island exploring and its airport. Ao Nang is the most developed resort with endless restaurants etc but not much variety. Very much an ideal family resort that is hassle free. Personally I prefer something more rustic and basic that you get on the smaller islands.
Railay beach is next door and worth a day there, nice beach with some reggae food/drink wooden shacks and a viewpoint with a hidden lagoon.
Check out Koh Lanta if you want a chilled island.
RichFN2 said:
I would extend Bangkok by another night to begin with, IME it is one of the best and most vibrant cities of the planet. It is a blend of chaos, nightlife, luxury, great food, temples, tropical parks and run down side streets.
Patong is home to Bangla road, one of the most infamous and vibrant streets in Thailand. You will either love it or hate it but its probably worth a stroll at night just to be nosey.
Karon beach is just down the road and much quieter, Kata is even quieter and a decent beach. Patong beach is to be avioded.
Phuket town is quite interesting for an evening and not that touristy but it is quite run down in places. That is also where you will be getting the ferry from to Phi Phi etc.
Krabi is quite a large area but a good location for island exploring and its airport. Ao Nang is the most developed resort with endless restaurants etc but not much variety. Very much an ideal family resort that is hassle free. Personally I prefer something more rustic and basic that you get on the smaller islands.
Railay beach is next door and worth a day there, nice beach with some reggae food/drink wooden shacks and a viewpoint with a hidden lagoon.
Check out Koh Lanta if you want a chilled island.
Useful stuff! Cheers. Patong is home to Bangla road, one of the most infamous and vibrant streets in Thailand. You will either love it or hate it but its probably worth a stroll at night just to be nosey.
Karon beach is just down the road and much quieter, Kata is even quieter and a decent beach. Patong beach is to be avioded.
Phuket town is quite interesting for an evening and not that touristy but it is quite run down in places. That is also where you will be getting the ferry from to Phi Phi etc.
Krabi is quite a large area but a good location for island exploring and its airport. Ao Nang is the most developed resort with endless restaurants etc but not much variety. Very much an ideal family resort that is hassle free. Personally I prefer something more rustic and basic that you get on the smaller islands.
Railay beach is next door and worth a day there, nice beach with some reggae food/drink wooden shacks and a viewpoint with a hidden lagoon.
Check out Koh Lanta if you want a chilled island.
Will definitely look at staying another night in Bangkok then.
Noted on Patong beach, Katon and Kara. Will look into Krabi again as I'd dismissed it early on as a colleague had said there wasn't a lot there.
Appreciated.
You can fly Phuket - Ko Samui - Bangkok providing an extra dimension to the journey if you want. Bangkok is manic so you need to like cities.
It’s the Grab app you want for taxis and takeout food.
Taking cash out in Thailand is expensive and most (smaller) places want cash, so either take plenty with you or check up on the rates.
Phuket is packed full of Russians so much that the airport announce flights in Russian.
It’s the Grab app you want for taxis and takeout food.
Taking cash out in Thailand is expensive and most (smaller) places want cash, so either take plenty with you or check up on the rates.
Phuket is packed full of Russians so much that the airport announce flights in Russian.
RichFN2 said:
They could be referring to Krabi town which is just an average sized town with nothing worth seeing for a tourist, it just serves a purpose for locals.
If you need the airport and/or ferry terminal Ao Nang will suit a tourist more if you don't mind the family resort feel.
If you need the airport and/or ferry terminal Ao Nang will suit a tourist more if you don't mind the family resort feel.
Did Ao Nang 15 years ago (so my knowledge may be out of date). The beach in town is surprisingly uninspiring (felt and looked a bit muddy in parts), but everywhere else nearby (Railay, Phang Nga Bay, 5 Islands) is beautiful white sand and turquoise water.
Depends what you're after though - Ao Nang is essentially a small resort (may have got bigger) with shops, restaurants etc., while the surrounding area is more private hotels with fewer off-hotel amenities.
Also note the different water types on the two sides of the peninsula - Gulf of Thailand (Koh Samui and other party-style islands) tends towards smaller beaches and rougher water, while the Andaman Sea (Phuket, Phi Phi, "Krabi" (province) is usually calmer, more of the tropical-style white beach / turquoise water, and the resorts (certainly used to) tend to follow that theme - nightlife in the east, chill-out in the west.
The rainy season hits the two coasts at different times as well, so when your holiday is may influence your choices.
Heading off to Thailand later this month, to celebrate kids finishing A levels and GCSEs. We're flying Air France premium economy as it was cheaper than flying direct in economy 
We're doing 4 nights in Bangkok, 2 nights in Chang Mai, 5 nights in Ao Nang, 2 nights in Koh Jum off Krabi.
Cannot wait - except for the local carrier flight from Chang Mai to Krabi - nervous about that
(other internal flights are Thai)
We're doing 4 nights in Bangkok, 2 nights in Chang Mai, 5 nights in Ao Nang, 2 nights in Koh Jum off Krabi.
Cannot wait - except for the local carrier flight from Chang Mai to Krabi - nervous about that
(other internal flights are Thai) Defo use Grab over Bolt. Just remember in BKK that traffic can move very, very slowly. So the MRT is a better option most of the time.
Its rainy season but its not the end of the world as the rains normally only last a couple of hours and most hotels / attractions will be much quieter.
If you want some "fun" then order a Grab moped taxi just for a laugh.... I took a few and I can tell you its an experience. (a near death one!)
Its rainy season but its not the end of the world as the rains normally only last a couple of hours and most hotels / attractions will be much quieter.
If you want some "fun" then order a Grab moped taxi just for a laugh.... I took a few and I can tell you its an experience. (a near death one!)
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