Thailand east or west?
Discussion
A friend and I are looking into a trip to Thailand. We are thinking end of November/ early December. So far we definetely want to do 2/3 nights in Bangkok and similar in Chang Mai. We cant decide which area to base ourselves in the south. Any suggestions whether east or west coast would be best at this time of year? Any other suggestions for places to stay or things to see welcomed. Thanks in advance (in our late 40s if that changes anything).
East coast (Gulf) IMHO has less to offer (Samui, Koh Pha ngan) - I did it as part of back packing because, I had the time to see it all, and I'm not a fan of Samui, and KPG has lost a lot of its charm.
West coast (Anderman) has lots more variety, from Phuket (if that's your thing - too touristy and big for me), Koh Lanta, Ao Nang (Krabi), Phi Phi, Lanta, Jum, Muk, Lipe. Saying that, in Nov you "might" get some overcast weather, in which case it can be much more reliable in the "North" (Koh Chang) but that is a decision we make on the fly depending on the weather at the time. December is more reliable.
If you prefer the more resort type holiday then where that resort actually is is less important. The sea is the sea, and sand is still sand, wherever you are. It's all beautiful.
Absolutely do a few nights in BKK and if you have time, an overnight "Day trip" on the train to Kanchanaburi whilst you are there. If you can't fit in Chiang Mai then a day trip from BKK to Ayutthia is a cheap fast sort of alternative.
Once you have chosen specific places I can help with accom advice, bepending on your tastes and budget. It's a constantly changing market mind you.
West coast (Anderman) has lots more variety, from Phuket (if that's your thing - too touristy and big for me), Koh Lanta, Ao Nang (Krabi), Phi Phi, Lanta, Jum, Muk, Lipe. Saying that, in Nov you "might" get some overcast weather, in which case it can be much more reliable in the "North" (Koh Chang) but that is a decision we make on the fly depending on the weather at the time. December is more reliable.
If you prefer the more resort type holiday then where that resort actually is is less important. The sea is the sea, and sand is still sand, wherever you are. It's all beautiful.
Absolutely do a few nights in BKK and if you have time, an overnight "Day trip" on the train to Kanchanaburi whilst you are there. If you can't fit in Chiang Mai then a day trip from BKK to Ayutthia is a cheap fast sort of alternative.
Once you have chosen specific places I can help with accom advice, bepending on your tastes and budget. It's a constantly changing market mind you.
I think it comes down to what you want. At that time of year both will be prime season.
Phuket is known for being little Russia these days. Its generally cheaper than Samui though and more choice.
Samui is generally more expensive and you will generally find nice accommodation there.
Much smaller and less built up though.
If you are talking about mainland then half way house would be Hua Hin but I don't know if I would bother for a short stay its more of a long stay slow paced sort of place.
In the south expect a chance of rain, but will only be showers.
In BKK and the north it will be rare to get rain in Nov or Dec.
Be aware the further north you go and the later you go the more likely is they will be burning which can be quite bad at times.
Phuket is known for being little Russia these days. Its generally cheaper than Samui though and more choice.
Samui is generally more expensive and you will generally find nice accommodation there.
Much smaller and less built up though.
If you are talking about mainland then half way house would be Hua Hin but I don't know if I would bother for a short stay its more of a long stay slow paced sort of place.
In the south expect a chance of rain, but will only be showers.
In BKK and the north it will be rare to get rain in Nov or Dec.
Be aware the further north you go and the later you go the more likely is they will be burning which can be quite bad at times.
fooman said:
To be fair, most places do the latter
LOL most places do all, but some places its a bit less obvious. There is no point recommending a tropical paradise island if they want full on "you GI Me so horny" (the woman who played that prostitute in FMJ was from London and played a police woman in The Bill for years :P )
nikaiyo2 said:
What are you looking for? Resort? Luxury? Adventure? Sex bars, Lady boy & ping pong shows?
This really ^^^^The nightlife of Pattaya is great but not for everyone, and Hua Hin is nice and quiet but still a fair bit to do on the West Coast. At some point they will have a nice new railway linking up Bangkok and Hua Hin as well.
Thank you for all the advice so far. Its two girls going and want to spend time exploring the first week and then second week a bit more relaxing. It looks like the south West coast might be the better option for the second week. I think some stunning views and island hopping, along with a bit of night life but nothing too crazy.
As a first visit, 3 nights Bangkok, 3 nights C-Mai and a week on a beach sounds about right - gives you a flavour for the different areas.
Beaches / which 'side'? Just to add to the comments above, the Andaman Sea (west coast) is the picture-postcard powdery sand and turquoise seas (well, except Ao Nang - mud more than beach), and some areas are worth snorkelling in. Gulf of Thailand (east coast) is typically choppier waters, but if you just want to chill on the beach it really doesn't matter. Weather at that time of year may be the bigger decider, but even if you do get rain it'll usually be a brief hard shower around lunchtime or so then clearing to blue skies.
I'd probably aim for a smaller / less-touristy resort to minimise the number of Russians I had to deal with, too.
Beaches / which 'side'? Just to add to the comments above, the Andaman Sea (west coast) is the picture-postcard powdery sand and turquoise seas (well, except Ao Nang - mud more than beach), and some areas are worth snorkelling in. Gulf of Thailand (east coast) is typically choppier waters, but if you just want to chill on the beach it really doesn't matter. Weather at that time of year may be the bigger decider, but even if you do get rain it'll usually be a brief hard shower around lunchtime or so then clearing to blue skies.
I'd probably aim for a smaller / less-touristy resort to minimise the number of Russians I had to deal with, too.
In that case I would do 3 nights BKK, nip up to Chiang Mai for 3 nights and then fly down to Samui for a week then home via BKK.
If time permits another 3 nights in BKK before home as they are girls don't underestimate the shopping in BKK.
You can spend a day in Icon Siam alone, a day in the Em Qtr malls and then a day between MBK (lots of fakes, sorry first copy) and Paragon/Central.
Tip - its usually a bit cheaper to fly through DMK to CNX. About £25 each way vs maybe £40-50. Although you can find deals.
Also be aware CNX-USM is a seasonal route and also can get a bit pricey if you book late.
Tip 2 - in BKK stay as close to a BTS station as you can. Like sub 200m... forget taxis for general movement it just takes too long due to traffic, so you want to use the BTS. The Novotel opposite Terminal 21 has direct station access. FWIW.
If time permits another 3 nights in BKK before home as they are girls don't underestimate the shopping in BKK.
You can spend a day in Icon Siam alone, a day in the Em Qtr malls and then a day between MBK (lots of fakes, sorry first copy) and Paragon/Central.
Tip - its usually a bit cheaper to fly through DMK to CNX. About £25 each way vs maybe £40-50. Although you can find deals.
Also be aware CNX-USM is a seasonal route and also can get a bit pricey if you book late.
Tip 2 - in BKK stay as close to a BTS station as you can. Like sub 200m... forget taxis for general movement it just takes too long due to traffic, so you want to use the BTS. The Novotel opposite Terminal 21 has direct station access. FWIW.
K77 CTR said:
Thank you for all the advice so far. Its two girls going and want to spend time exploring the first week and then second week a bit more relaxing. It looks like the south West coast might be the better option for the second week. I think some stunning views and island hopping, along with a bit of night life but nothing too crazy.
You wont' really do much island "hopping" in a week - just a heads up. Each time you move you lose the best part of a day - the travelling is interesting, but its' not sitting on the beach, it's in a minivan/boat/songthaew.On a 2 weeker I'd forego Chiang Mai, enjoy BKK fora couple of nights, then focus on one or two SW beach destinations, maybe 6 days on somewhere in the middle of quiet/developed - Koh Lanta, 4 or 5 days on a "paradise idle" like Koh Muk, then back to BKK for another day/night and home. Enjoy being in one place for at least a few days, unless of course you like it manic!
Travel between places in Thailand is easy, but, with a few exceptions, eats through a day. It IS fun, and fascinating, but just dont' try and move too many times on a 2 weeker.
Plenty of people do it though - I know some who have - they like to tick every box so if that's your thing, go for it.
gotoPzero said:
Tip 2 - in BKK stay as close to a BTS station as you can. Like sub 200m... forget taxis for general movement it just takes too long due to traffic, so you want to use the BTS. The Novotel opposite Terminal 21 has direct station access. FWIW.
100% this, we stayed opposite Terminal 21 and it only took 35 minutes to get to Suvarnabhumi Airport using the train and metro. Chinatown was about 15 minutes on the metro and Sanam Chai was perhaps 25 minutes and that is right by the Royal Palace, Wat Pho etc. Siam, Thong Lor and Phrom Phong are also only a short ride on the BTS.Gassing Station | Holidays & Travel | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff