Thailand again… Phuket suggestions

Thailand again… Phuket suggestions

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carreauchompeur

Original Poster:

18,000 posts

211 months

Sunday 4th August
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Hi all,

Can’t stay away from the place, it seems. Wanted some winter sun and was nearly going to push the button on Bali until I realised it was peak monsoon there! Have 2 weeks in Feb flying into and out of Phuket. Not bothering with BKK at all this time, Qantas via Singapore. Had some great suggestions 18 months ago from griffith4ever and others.

I’m aware it divides opinions, but we really liked Phuket on a stopover last time, beautiful historic hotel in Old Town that is booked again. Also loved Koh Jum and its vibe but keen to branch out. Transited through Phi Phi for a couple of nights and it absolutely isn’t our thing!

Where’s good to go? Thinking a few days of National park/adventure and some beach relaxation. Quite happy to go simple accommodation-wise. Our Thailand level is around £30-£40 a night.

Are the Similan Islands worth a look?

Every day a journey

1,920 posts

45 months

Monday 5th August
quotequote all
Big Buddha at sunrise is quite a sight

Nai Harn beach is lovely

The seashell museum (yes really) in Rawai is surprisingly interesting

Patong is..................hmmm

Phuket zoo is crap.

Every day a journey

1,920 posts

45 months

Monday 5th August
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Said Buddha at sunrise


Old Merc

3,547 posts

174 months

Tuesday 6th August
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One of our best holidays was staying in Cape Panwa Hotel Phuket, lovely area.

Did a day trip out to Phang Nga Bay, stopping off at various islands, canoeing through bat caves and swimming in lagoons.
Avoid the James Bond Island though, it will be jam packed.
The other islands will be quiet and peaceful.

We also did a speed boat trip to Ko Lon and Ko Thanan islands for a bit of snorkelling in crystal clear sea water, absolutely amazing..

Old Merc

3,547 posts

174 months

Tuesday 6th August
quotequote all


Cape Panwa.

carreauchompeur

Original Poster:

18,000 posts

211 months

Tuesday 6th August
quotequote all
Lovely! Various people have suggested Cape Panwa but unfortunately is WAY over budget, speedboat trips can’t hurt though!

nikaiyo2

5,009 posts

202 months

Tuesday 6th August
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Can I suggest an elephant camp in the jungle of Khao Sok there are loads at all different price points only 2 hours from the airport.

https://www.khaosok.com/

anyoldcardave

768 posts

74 months

Tuesday 6th August
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Rent a motorcycle and go exploring, always do it, and around Phuket was where I enjoyed it most.

I would mot bother with a Phi Phi trip, unless you really want to, do a short one, it ain,t what it once was.Overnight was boring.

Found some fantastic deserted beaches, with a bike if you don,t like somewhere off you go, if the Welsh couple still have a bar, say hello if you happen to bump into it. Had some great nights there.

Would kill for Thai street food right now, hank marvin....

Enjoy.

carreauchompeur

Original Poster:

18,000 posts

211 months

Thursday 24th October
quotequote all
We arrive at 9pm ish. Thinking of maybe 2 nights in nice hotel near airport then renting car to get to Khao Sok or similar. Does this sound sensible?!

smifffymoto

4,754 posts

212 months

Friday 25th October
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Anything sounds sensible in Thailand.
If renting a car make sure you have s credit card,a debit card won’t be accepted.
It used to be ok but with the proliferation of speed cameras they take the same approach across the whole business.Unless you find a Thai that will rent you his family car then none of it applies.

Griffith4ever

4,686 posts

42 months

Friday 25th October
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carreauchompeur said:
Hi all,

Can’t stay away from the place, it seems. Wanted some winter sun and was nearly going to push the button on Bali until I realised it was peak monsoon there! Have 2 weeks in Feb flying into and out of Phuket. Not bothering with BKK at all this time, Qantas via Singapore. Had some great suggestions 18 months ago from griffith4ever and others.
It's an addiction :-) - we are off in 3 weeks time, 25 day private tour in India, then a beach villa in Goa for 10 days, then off to Thailand for 7 weeks ;-)

Koh Similian is very much a snorkelling thing. Unless its changed there is limited accom on the main island and nothing to do at all in the evenings. It was a long trip in a fast speedboat there, then fabulous snorkelling. Was supposed to be there 3 nights by bailed after 1 night and caught another boat back - might have just been us at the time.

Koh Sok was fascinating - did a trip there with an overnight stay in the jungle in a spider infested tree house. Canoe trips etc, and amazing tree canopy / zip line adventure. Hope you like heights :-)

This year we are going down further south than Jum to try out Koh Mook , Kraden & Ngai. Jum as well for sure. Then across to the other side for Chang and then try Lipe below - all in the air really - all I have booked is the flight from BKK to Krabi when we leave Goa.

daqinggregg

2,949 posts

136 months

Friday 25th October
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Head to Ranong a small market town, about four hours drive North of Phucket, up the coast of the Andaman Sea. On the way there, you will pass some lovely beaches, resorts and restaurants, all presenting decent stop off points on your journey.

The town itself is like a Thai version of Keswick; plenty of accommodation options to suit every pocket if your looking for authentic Thai food, you’ll find it here, because that’s the only type of Thai food you can find, however, there are other options. Local shops (hardware) and the like, garages, farm supplies etc.

There are plenty of places to visit nearby, hills, rivers/waterfalls, temples, beaches and the Namtok Ngao National Park.

This is very much a working town as well as border town. You can see Myanmar across the sea, it used to be possible to do a Kawthaung to Ranong border crossing, not sure at the moment.



Somebody

1,316 posts

90 months

Friday 25th October
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We're also going for 3 weeks next month. Bangkok, Hua Hin and Kanchanaburi. Then 2 nights in Abu Dhabi on the way back.