Bangkok Phuket Singapore and Dubai - Easter 2015

Leanne1812

PompeyPete wrote: »

Been in the Khao Lak area on the Thai Andaman coast for almost 2 weeks.

It's good, But not as good as it's made to be.

Like so many places, killing off the goose that laid the golden egg comes to mind.

Hi PompeyPete,

Heading to Khao Lak in June for 10 days. Staying at the Ramada which tripadvisor highly recommends. Any advice?

We're familiar with Thailand but never visited Khao Lak yet. It appears to be much quieter than Phuket & not so much if any girly bars but still some nightlife.

lovesgshp

Khao Lak. What a difference to when we first went in the 90's. There were a couple of large hotels, mainly with German tourists, which we avoided. Stayed in a lovely family run hotel, which unfortunately was destroyed with the family in the Tsunami.
Went back again just after that sad time and it was still recovering, but now it looks to have become even more of a commercial area, just like Phuket.

MasterPoo

PompeyPete wrote: »

You're lucky they slept.
We flew out to Phuket on Thomson Dreamliner on 13 March.
it was more like Screamliner! One woman with 3 young ones. They took it in turns, so I don't think anyone got much skip.

:rotfl::rotfl: at Screamliner!

I was originally going to Phuket (as per title) but was advised on this thread to try Krabi, Koh Lanta. Doshwater (I think) recommended Krabi, arriving there on Monday afternoon! Reading from TA, Koh Lanta doesn't even have jet ski's, reports have stated "...been the only people on the beach" so FINGERS CROSSED!

I'll be sad to leave Bangkok, I LOVE it! Will come back later this year I hope, for a 1 week stay???!!!! Went to dinner tonight (UK time) on the street, bill came to 540 Baht (£11.50) for 3 of us, we had FIVE plates of food filling our table! BTS to get to Siam 102 Baht (£2.10) for 3 one way! :T:T:T

Caught a taxi back to hotel from Pat Pong for 100 Baht (£2.06):T:T:T

Doshwaster

MasterPoo wrote: »

:rotfl::rotfl: at Screamliner!

I was originally going to Phuket (as per title) but was advised on this thread to try Krabi, Koh Lanta. Doshwater (I think) recommended Krabi, arriving there on Monday afternoon! Reading from TA, Koh Lanta doesn't even have jet ski's, reports have stated "...been the only people on the beach" so FINGERS CROSSED!

Hmm... was it me? I don't want to be held responsible for the success of your holiday! As you say, fingers crossed!

MasterPoo wrote: »

I'll be sad to leave Bangkok, I LOVE it! Will come back later this year I hope, for a 1 week stay???!!!! Went to dinner tonight (UK time) on the street, bill came to 540 Baht (£11.50) for 3 of us, we had FIVE plates of food filling our table! BTS to get to Siam 102 Baht (£2.10) for 3 one way! :T:T:T

Caught a taxi back to hotel from Pat Pong for 100 Baht (£2.06):T:T:T

Great to hear that you loved Bangkok. Now you know why so many people go back time and time again. I'm just not sure that I could cope with it for a week though. Usually 3-4 days is enough for me and then I'm ready to escape the craziness.

Looking forward to hearing your next update.

PompeyPete

Leanne1812 wrote: »

Hi PompeyPete,

Heading to Khao Lak in June for 10 days. Staying at the Ramada which tripadvisor highly recommends. Any advice?

We're familiar with Thailand but never visited Khao Lak yet. It appears to be much quieter than Phuket & not so much if any girly bars but still some nightlife.

Hi Leanne. The Ramada is in a prime spot. It's right on the beach at Bang Niang, which is a v.nice beach, but not really a swimming beach because the surf is quite strong.

The Ramada is also v.close by foot to loads of restaurants. I think the main Bang Niang tourist strip is scruffy and in places chucks up. But at night you might not notice. We preferred Bang La On after dark, which is a short sonthew ride away. Try Walkers Inn, great food, run by a lovely down to earthbloke from Castleford [don't mention Maggie T].

PompeyPete

lovesgshp wrote: »

Went back again just after that sad time and it was still recovering, but now it looks to have become even more of a commercial area, just like Phuket.

I think you're spot-on.
The Golden Goose is slowly being killed off by greed. Of couse the DEs on Trip Advisor are very protective of their previous patch.
We moved on from Khao Lak to Nai Yang yesterday.

lovesgshp

Thailand places are getting very greedy lately. It has gone off our visit places list and have changed to Vietnam and Cambodia. Son has lived there since prior to the 2004 tsunami and says it is getting worse by the day. Greed and corruption rules, from what was a very friendly country.

Leanne1812

Ah, what a shame.

Last time I was in Thailand 2 years ago I said I was finished with it. I've been to Vietnam & Cambodia and love both & plan to return.

I suppose the flight sold me, we travel from Glasgow and usually need to do 3 flights to get to a beach resort in asia but with emirates we can fly Gla-dxb-hkt so reduces our travel time. The great price we got on the hotel helped seal the deal.

I'm sure we will have a nice stay providing it stays relatively dry.

Cheers for the advice.

Will definitely try out Walkers, I've read about it on tripadvisor and someone who likes talking politics is right up my street

PompeyPete

Leanne1812 wrote: »

Will definitely try out Walkers, I've read about it on tripadvisor and someone who likes talking politics is right up my street

Andy at Walker's is a Scargill man, no compromise! So unless you agree with Scargill it's better to discuss Rugby League!

lovesgshp

MasterPoo.
When you get to Singapore, try the Big Splash restaurant. You can pick your seafood from the tanks and then have it freshly cooked, otherwise they have a normal menu.
Visit Boogie Street and try the chilli crab, if you don't mind spicy stuff. Plenty of tissues though, as it can be messy!

http://www.bigsplash.com.sg/portfolio/the-seafood-international/