Chang Mai and Koh Samui

Party_Animal

Didn't want to hijack the other thread but I'm looking at going somewhere nice to celebrate a big birtday next Jan. I thought of 3 nights in Chang Mai and possibly 11 in Koh Samui, if that's possible. There are 4 of us. We've all done Bangkok but that's all we've seen of Thailand. I've checked the Waterfront reviews and it looks good. Has anyone done a similar trip? We don't want to spend any time in Bangkok. Are we better booking flights and hotels ourselves, as I normally do, or getting a package? Can anyone recommend a company?
Thanks

Donnie

It will always be better to book independently. Most packages include Bangkok.
Accommodation recommendations are dependant on your requirements and personalities.

Party_Animal

Donnie, thanks for your help. I've been searching the net for more info. Everything looks good, just one concern, I was checking out the diving and it says that the best time to dive the Gulf of Thailand is between May and September. Does this mean that the vis is not good in early feb?
Thanks again

Donnie

Depends on the weather. No one dives off Samui anyway. Most go to Koh Tao; http://www.kohtaoonline.com/

cundall

Donnie wrote: »

Depends on the weather. No one dives off Samui anyway. Most go to Koh Tao; http://www.kohtaoonline.com/

OT

Well infact they do, they go to sail rock which is half way from Koh pangyang to koh tao. Not very good as too many people go diving at that one place (only one good bit is an air pocket where you can take your reg out, well its good for the first time).

Koh tao is not very good anyway its more like a factory. Dive sites are so so.

If you want some diving without doing a live-aboard i would koh phi phi and do the koh bida sites which are good though you can get there from koh lanta as well but they only go there around 2-3 times a week.

Donnie

If something is between Koh Pha Nghan and Koh Tao, then I would say it's off Samui.
The sites are listed in the link that I have provided.

EagerLearner

Samui is ok, and was somewhere we loved until we went for Xmas 06/07 - too much building work going on and as we had spent the previous week in Chang, we wished we had been there for the 2 weeks instead. We were very surprised. Chang is far more natural still and has some lovely places to chill and enjoy the beach/cafes and bars, although to celebrate a birthday you would want to be on the beach itself where it's busiest. Samui is also so much further away from Bankgok you will all waste alot of time travelling (we did the bus), unless of course you are flying to/from Samui to BKK?

cundall

Donnie wrote: »

If something is between Koh Pha Nghan and Koh Tao, then I would say it's off Samui.
The sites are listed in the link that I have provided.

Well dive schools in koh samui do travel to sail rock even koh toa! Though its all speed boat diving (with a price to match)

Donnie

I don't go to Samui any more. They are ruining the place.

I menat actual diving, not the booking of diving trips. Yes there are many places to book diving trips on Samui and still a few nice places to stay.
If you're a newbie, you may actually enjoy it.

I

odowdchr

Party_Animal wrote: »

Didn't want to hijack the other thread but I'm looking at going somewhere nice to celebrate a big birtday next Jan. I thought of 3 nights in Chang Mai and possibly 11 in Koh Samui, if that's possible. There are 4 of us. We've all done Bangkok but that's all we've seen of Thailand. I've checked the Waterfront reviews and it looks good. Has anyone done a similar trip? We don't want to spend any time in Bangkok. Are we better booking flights and hotels ourselves, as I normally do, or getting a package? Can anyone recommend a company?
Thanks

Might be tempted to do Chiang Mai and Krabi and get a triangle flight package from BKK on Thai Airways.
You can go straight from BKK without staying overnight if you get the timings right....get to Chiang Mai about 6pm and it's an easy ride into town. Brilliant place, hotels very central and cheap.

Not sure if it's still the same, but Bangkok Airways always had exclusive landing rights at Samui so there was a lot of messing about with changing airlines and going back though BKK to fit in with schedules. Krabi's got perfect access to PhiPhi if you did want diving stuff and Railay beach is as good as anywhere.

Donnie

The last airline you should choose is Thai Airways if you wish to save money. Lots of alternatives available.