nice thai beach area?
Discussion
There are loads of beachy places to go in Thailand. I think it depends on what you want.
We went to Khao Lak with Trailfinders in April - it is about an hour North of Phuket and definitely not one of the louder resorts.
The beach was lovely and the day trips to the Similan islands were even better if you like crystal clear blue water etc.
Would recommend it as a place to go. Would also recommend Trailfinders, we went in, explained what we were looking for and the chap tapped away and came up with exactly what we had asked for.
Bob
We went to Khao Lak with Trailfinders in April - it is about an hour North of Phuket and definitely not one of the louder resorts.
The beach was lovely and the day trips to the Similan islands were even better if you like crystal clear blue water etc.
Would recommend it as a place to go. Would also recommend Trailfinders, we went in, explained what we were looking for and the chap tapped away and came up with exactly what we had asked for.
Bob
For a 'nice' beach holiday there is only one place, either N or SE of Pucket, Ko Somui and Pucket are Blackpool with sun. The rest of the west side Gulf of Thailand is small places where thais go for the weekend. I'll ignore the east side of the gulf around Patia, awfull place.
North of PUcket is discussed already SE then Krabie, Ah Nang is OK but getting more like Pucket every day, Pi PI is OK but if you get SE of Krabbie into Trang there are loads of beaches, but with nothing on them except a few simple places to stay, Pak Meng, Ya Ya etc, get the Lonely planet guide on the beaches and see what you want, the real quiet beaches are just that quiet. Ah Nang is good for a first vist, no need to book, the Best Western in Ah Nang is 30 pounda night bed and breakfast if you book on arival.
North of PUcket is discussed already SE then Krabie, Ah Nang is OK but getting more like Pucket every day, Pi PI is OK but if you get SE of Krabbie into Trang there are loads of beaches, but with nothing on them except a few simple places to stay, Pak Meng, Ya Ya etc, get the Lonely planet guide on the beaches and see what you want, the real quiet beaches are just that quiet. Ah Nang is good for a first vist, no need to book, the Best Western in Ah Nang is 30 pounda night bed and breakfast if you book on arival.
el stovey said:
Is it trail finders where they're all on commission based pay and simply charge you above a minimum cost what they think you can afford? Best dress down and wear a crap watch. Tell them you've just been made redundant or are a student or from Yorkshire. 
No.Trailfinders publish their rates and quote over the phone too.
Their service is good and their knowledge is extensive (subject to talking to the right individual)
OP - as has been said, describe what you are looking for, check the weather in your proposed destination and give an idea of budget. I'm sure you'll get a huge amount of help.
Berw said:
For a 'nice' beach holiday there is only one place, either N or SE of Pucket, Ko Somui and Pucket are Blackpool with sun. The rest of the west side Gulf of Thailand is small places where thais go for the weekend. I'll ignore the east side of the gulf around Patia, awfull place.
North of PUcket is discussed already SE then Krabie, Ah Nang is OK but getting more like Pucket every day, Pi PI is OK but if you get SE of Krabbie into Trang there are loads of beaches, but with nothing on them except a few simple places to stay, Pak Meng, Ya Ya etc, get the Lonely planet guide on the beaches and see what you want, the real quiet beaches are just that quiet. Ah Nang is good for a first vist, no need to book, the Best Western in Ah Nang is 30 pounda night bed and breakfast if you book on arival.
When you say Ah Nang do you mean Ao Nang?North of PUcket is discussed already SE then Krabie, Ah Nang is OK but getting more like Pucket every day, Pi PI is OK but if you get SE of Krabbie into Trang there are loads of beaches, but with nothing on them except a few simple places to stay, Pak Meng, Ya Ya etc, get the Lonely planet guide on the beaches and see what you want, the real quiet beaches are just that quiet. Ah Nang is good for a first vist, no need to book, the Best Western in Ah Nang is 30 pounda night bed and breakfast if you book on arival.
el stovey said:
Is it trail finders where they're all on commission based pay and simply charge you above a minimum cost what they think you can afford? Best dress down and wear a crap watch. Tell them you've just been made redundant or are a student or from Yorkshire.
STA and Flight Centre certainly do that.I used to enjoy making up prices in my head based on how knowledgeable customers seemed to be.
Much like any type of sales I guess though.
I think TrailFinders are a little better, but I had the distinct impression I'd tried too hard to look like a poor Yorkshire student divorcee redundant bloke as they barely wanted to speak to me when I went for a flight quote
ijm said:
Berw said:
For a 'nice' beach holiday there is only one place, either N or SE of Pucket, Ko Somui and Pucket are Blackpool with sun. The rest of the west side Gulf of Thailand is small places where thais go for the weekend. I'll ignore the east side of the gulf around Patia, awfull place.
North of PUcket is discussed already SE then Krabie, Ah Nang is OK but getting more like Pucket every day, Pi PI is OK but if you get SE of Krabbie into Trang there are loads of beaches, but with nothing on them except a few simple places to stay, Pak Meng, Ya Ya etc, get the Lonely planet guide on the beaches and see what you want, the real quiet beaches are just that quiet. Ah Nang is good for a first vist, no need to book, the Best Western in Ah Nang is 30 pounda night bed and breakfast if you book on arival.
When you say Ah Nang do you mean Ao Nang?North of PUcket is discussed already SE then Krabie, Ah Nang is OK but getting more like Pucket every day, Pi PI is OK but if you get SE of Krabbie into Trang there are loads of beaches, but with nothing on them except a few simple places to stay, Pak Meng, Ya Ya etc, get the Lonely planet guide on the beaches and see what you want, the real quiet beaches are just that quiet. Ah Nang is good for a first vist, no need to book, the Best Western in Ah Nang is 30 pounda night bed and breakfast if you book on arival.
krabbi or one of the of flying island resorts always gets my vote.
West Railay - Heaven, lovely place to stay and you can pop across to East Railay for some bars and more choice of food. Only accessible by Longtail boat from the ferry (E.g. from Phuket) of from Ao Nang. Lots of nice walks and places to explore.
Koh Phi Phi - Stay on Long Beach outside of TOnsai bay for a nicer beach, less crowded and nicer accommodation, most likely on the beach. Longtails run late from Tonsai, so get out there before the last one and grab one back at any time for a cheap price. Also easy to get a tour of Phi Phi lay (Film 'The Beach').
Those places are heaven on earth and did them this Xmas gone.
Koh Phi Phi - Stay on Long Beach outside of TOnsai bay for a nicer beach, less crowded and nicer accommodation, most likely on the beach. Longtails run late from Tonsai, so get out there before the last one and grab one back at any time for a cheap price. Also easy to get a tour of Phi Phi lay (Film 'The Beach').
Those places are heaven on earth and did them this Xmas gone.
Now that interesting I hate Railay these days, which is why I didn't mention it, you should have gone 15 years ago it was great. but was spoilt when they allowed swiming pools and two story buildings, and fat Germans, stay in Ah Nang and go for the day to Railay to swimm at Princess Cave, The beach to the N that you have to walk to from railay east is cool, and like Railay used to be, but I can't remember the name at the mament, and don't want to sart another Thia spelling war.
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