Thailand - Phuket

Doshwaster

Mr_Wang wrote: »

Just to add a different skew on things, I think Krabi is much better for exploring the region and Phi Phi etc.

I also think that the beaches on Samui are far superior to Phuket and then you can launch off to Phangnan and Koh Tao.

Completely agree with Chiang mai and Bangkok.

I cannot comment - yet - on Krabi but I'm going there next month for the first time on my annual sojourn in Thailand. I've heard good reports. I won't be going back to Phi Phi though as I was underwhelmed and disappointed by it previously.

Yes, for beaches Samui beats anything Phuket can offer both in terms of quality and safety - the beach at Karon is notorious for it's killer rip tides.

PompeyPete

I must be in the minority in not really liking Chiang Mai. For me it's a mini Bangkok, too many two and four-strokes, the air's polluted, and every time you cross the road you're dicing with death. You really need [imo] to plan a visit there and get out of town as much as possible.

My favourite 3 places in Thailand apart Bangkok with the obligatory 2 or 3 nights to kick-off or end a visit are...

- The Kanchanaburi area for WWII history and scenery...

http://wikitravel.org/en/Kanchanaburi

http://www.seat61.com/Bridge-on-the-River-Kwai.htm#.Ui6zA9KTjW8

- Prachuap Khiri Khan, 50Km south of Hua Hin...

http://wikitravel.org/en/Prachuap_Khiri_Khan

There's a gorgeous crescent shaped bay there surrounding Ao Manao Beach. The beach is in a unique setting being inside the Wing 5 Thai RAF Base, and you have to cross the runway by bike or on foot to reach it. On Monday to Thursday it's practically deserted, but it's invaded by bus loads of folk from Bangkok at weekends.

- Nong Khai. A laid back border town between Thailand and Laos in the North East. It's easy to reach by overnight sleeper train from Bangkok...

http://wikitravel.org/en/Nong_Khai

A great guest house to linger at for a few days is...

http://www.mutmee.com/

lovesgshp

Wifes son lives in Phuket and has for the last 9 years, with a short break after the Tsunami, which he experienced, albeit out at sea, as the wave passed underneath the dive boat he was teaching people on.
He now says that Phuket is the biggest s****le in Thailand. He runs a business there, not a retail type, but web design, plus a hydropic vegetable unit, so more difficult for him to move on, without a large loss.
From loving the place, he now says it is so bad that even he does not go out at night.
It is so expensive there now that is starting to overtake Bangkok.
Go to Kho Samui, a much nicer island.

Doshwaster

lovesgshp wrote: »

It is so expensive there now that is starting to overtake Bangkok.
Go to Kho Samui, a much nicer island.

In my experience Phuket has been more expensive than Bangkok for many things - especially taxis. In Bangkok it's easy to find good value accommodation, food and drink but that's a lot harder in Phuket.

Even Samui is catching up in terms of costs. It was a great place 5 years ago but it is getting more expensive every year. There may be a recession in Europe but the Australian tourist market is still healthy and there has been a massive increase in the number of visitors from India, China and Russia.

totallybored

Charliec45 wrote: »

Hmmm ok well you guys have well and truly put me off Phuket - any other suggestions for places in Thailand to go instead?

Not Thailand but how about Cambodia? Only a £50 or £60 one hour flight from Bangkok.