Thailand Ideas

PompeyPete

Doshwaster wrote: »

I would really recommend looking elsewhere to Phuket - it's the most expensive and overcrowded resort in Thailand but I suppose it's a place most people will go at least once.

Disagree. We've been to Thailand 8 times, and places like Phuket are places to avoid. I've never met any like-minded Thailand lover who's been there either.
Go west from BKK to Kanchanaburi (3rd class train is best), or further west to Sangkhlaburi (on the Myanmar border) for a few days. Immerse yourself in real life away from the tourist hordes (the beer tastes the same!).
Then track back to BKK and get the overnight train to Nong Khai, and spend a few days on the banks of the mighty Meekong, and maybe even cross the Friendship Bridge into Laos.

shudd1967

Highly recommend Khao Lak which is about 1 hour north of Phuket, loveley beaches and little towns around. Gte a trip from there out to the Surin Islands for the most amazing scenery, snorkelling etc.

Didn't much like Phuket, also done Koh Samui and think its been ruined by tourism.

Doshwaster

PompeyPete wrote: »

Disagree. We've been to Thailand 8 times, and places like Phuket are places to avoid. I've never met any like-minded Thailand lover who's been there either.

In which case how will people know they hate it unless they have been? Even if you have no time for the main Patong resort there are quieter parts of the island and it's a useful base for exploring the region.

I would agree that many other parts of Thailand are nicer, friendlier, more authentic and cheaper but people get very snobbish about Phuket. It all depends on what you are looking for. I wouldn't go there for a 2 week holiday but I possibly would for a 2-3 day blow out.

PompeyPete

Doshwaster wrote: »

In which case how will people know they hate it unless they have been?

You don't have to have visited a place to know it ain't for you.
That's where pre-trip homework comes in.
I fell over a couple of years ago though by booking a couple of nights in Sukhumvit. Weird place, full of weirdos. Fortunately we had a decent hotel.
I know you didn't infer I was a snob, but I'm not anyway;)

Nobjocki

PompeyPete wrote: »

You don't have to have visited a place to know it ain't for you.
That's where pre-trip homework comes in.
I fell over a couple of years ago though by booking a couple of nights in Sukhumvit. Weird place, full of weirdos. Fortunately we had a decent hotel.
I know you didn't infer I was a snob, but I'm not anyway;)

The soft Northern lad is telling the truth.
Phuket is a sh!th@le full of frat-boy yanks and Russian gangsters - the beach is a toilet and everything is expensive.
Avoid it like the plague.

licklerose

I've recently returned from a month of travelling around Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam,so feel free to PM me if you have any specific questions.

We also spent a couple of nights in Phuket, although we stayed in a really remote area of the island, it was exactly what we were looking for after a busy few weeks of travelling.

PompeyPete

licklerose wrote: »

I've recently returned from a month of travelling around Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam,so feel free to PM me if you have any specific questions.

What was it like in Sangkthlaburi and Nong Khai? How was the overnight train to Chiang Mai? Much going on in Kampot?
It'd help people to ask questions if you told us where you went?

robj4y

absolute rubbish mate :mad: .... your talking surely about patong being a toilet full of scrots ? not phuket in general as most is lovely . ive been there quite a few times , you cant say bang tao , or mai khao up north by the bridge where 5* are is a toilet or full of scum , c'mon thats ridiculous ?

phuket is amazing , just tailor it to yourself :

1. if you want extreme fun full on style and all the loud wild partying you can ever imagine , go to patong and get smashed every night yehhhh . cmon not everyones 65 on here are they ? or go to ibiza lol ... party on .
2. if you want idyllic stuff try bang tao north , no tourists . or up the top by marriot hardly anyone either for miles . if you want a bit less hectic try karon or kata ...

i like phuket cos you can have a good mix of both of above . how about trips to get about - so many beaches within 30 mins drive on a chicken chaser scooter . or koh koh khao just over the bridge , or khao lak - neither that far , maybe a couple of hours drive from phuket onto amazing islands with NO PEOPLE for the whole 2 mile bay . avoid jetskis scams in patong and karon/kata , and know in advance what a tuk tuk fare is to aim for and youll have an superb time for hardly any money , shacks or 5* you choose what you want .

phuket is amazing , be it quiet or wild it has it all .

TIP! best start for anyones holiday [apart from martin lewis lol] is tripadvisor , there literally is ONLY 1 way to plan a perfect holiday , its on that site and their forums .

Nobjocki wrote: »

The soft Northern lad is telling the truth.
Phuket is a sh!th@le full of frat-boy yanks and Russian gangsters - the beach is a toilet and everything is expensive.
Avoid it like the plague.

robj4y

depends what u wanna do in phuket ? shopping is great ! near pratnum market , or mbk maybe ? or see the sights stay near river maybe ? look on tripadvisor to see what you wanna do , where is in general , then grab a hotel near there . 3 nights is PLENTY ! or is transiting thru bkk then grab a hotel as near as poss to airport !

the only real way to phuket is flying unless you wanna go by magik bus and ferry for about 12 hours or something daft . about 45 mins - 1hr flight . dead cheap like £60 return tio bkk . try low cost carriers firefly or air asia ,or usual thai airways etc .

again , plan al lthigns on trip advisor and their forums as well as martin lewis for pricing tips

ta

shazzzzza wrote: »

hi

I am looking to going to Thailand in Feb 2012, maybe going to Bangkok first then travel down to Phuket. anyone got any ideas on where to stay in Bangkok and the best way to get to Phuket from there, thanks

robj4y

central phuket is a brilliant base camp . i went there in january for a few weeks . couldnt get bored OF PHUKET [not patong] , cos we go-ped all over the island for a few quid a day . diff beach every day , never went to patong beach once ! been there a few times now , love it . done a lot of thailand places .
PATONG GOOD FOR PARTYING AND FOOD AND SHOPPING THO :coffee:

Doshwaster wrote: »

It all depends on what you are looking for. I wouldn't go there for a 2 week holiday but I possibly would for a 2-3 day blow out.