Job Discussion Forums

[wuzza]

Hello,

Again, not a 'job' question, but I have found the members of this board to be a fountain of knowledge with regards to tourism hints in the past.

I'll be in Thailand for the next couple of weeks. I was wondering whether anyone has any reccommendations for someplace to go.

By 'someplace', I mean that I am looking for a quiet, secluded beach with few or no foreigners about.
Some friends advised "Bottle Beach" but are there any others you would
reccomend?
I am flying into Bangkok and any advice on how to get to the beach from there would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance,
Matt

[Sheep-Goats]

Try buying a Lonely Planet guide like everyone else...

There aren't any secret beaches in Thailand, but there are plenty of quieter ones, including Had Kuad or Bottle Beach, on Ko Pangan. This beach also tends to be a family / fat German / hippy place, though, so it's not for everyone.

Not getting to the beach would be harder to do than figuring out how to go there. Believe me, there are plenty of (fairly) honest Thais who'll get you down there. Train or bus, then ferry, usually. You can fly to Samui.

[wuzza]

Thanks for the advice.
I do have the Lonely Planet but figured anything in there wasn't really what i wanted.

[Kent F. Kruhoeffer]

안녕하세요 wuzza


I'm more of a city-slicker than a beach-bum.

However, you could try these links for some 'out of the way' ideas:


http://www.kohtao.com/

http://www.kohtaoonline.com/


~ Koh Tao


http://www.phangan.info/

http://www.rockyresort.com/

http://www.secretgarden.co.th/

http://andaman-island-hopping.com/

http://www.koyao.com/activities.htm

http://www.koh-chang.com/beach.html

http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Thailand/

http://www.ko-chang.info/kohchangbeaches/beachesbays.htm

[sigmoid]

As usual S-Goat is right. Tourism is one of Thailand's biggest industries and most every beach has been 'discovered' and developed, particularly very scenic and secluded places.

If you want to find a place with few or no foreigners you would have to leave the LP in your knapsack and explore places somewhat off the tourist trail like Ranong and Trang, or go to the southern Muslim provinces near Malaysia. You may not have time for that and in the latter area separatists are waging a campaign of terror.

Another factor that you should consider is that this month is the beginning of the rainy season which in terms of tourism means the low season so there will be few tourists anyway, so why not go to a place that is a bit developed where you can have a bit of comfort and convenience while waiting for those intense thunderstorms to pass by. The rainy season lasts through October.

Of course, it won't be raining all the time, most likely once a day in the late afternoon.

[struelle]

My favorite is Koh Chang, near Trat by the Cambodian border. Take a bus from the East station, you catch it near the Mo Chit BTS. It takes about 5 hours to get to Trat. Once there, you can probably find a driver or taxi to the ferry terminal, then grab a slow ferry to the island. Ferries depart every hour, to my knowledge.

There are many beaches you can check out that aren't so exploited by tourists, although you won't find a perfectly quiet beach. Best bet is to explore along the southern part of the island, near Lonely Beach or Ao Bailan.

The main town, can't remember the name, is nicely developed on a local model, and free of such corporate eyesores like McDonalds, Starbucks, Hyatt, etc. But they do have a 7-11

The eastern part of the island is worth exploring too, and is virtually untouched, full of local food stands, etc.

To my knowledge they tried to build a complete ring road around the island but the monsoon keeps washing out the south end. I rented a bike and tried to make the loop, but the road was totally washed out.

Motorbike rentals are also available for cheap bargains.

Locals are very friendly, as always, and you can sample the delicious Thai food all around the island.

Bungalows are extremely cheap, but you can spend more money on upscale accomodation if you wish.

And be sure to check out several of the waterfalls, jungle treks, and elephant rides!

It's a fabulous island. If I had more time, I would spend weeks there.

Steve

[tedkarma]

Most tourists are really quite lazy - so if you find any popular beach/island destination and head out of town for about 40+ minutes - you'll tend to leave the tourist hoards behind.

Phuket has Mai Khao Beach - some parts of it you could walk for two miles or more without seeing a foreigner. Just north of the island is NaTai Beach miles and miles of beautiful - basically deserted beach. Same with Thai Muang beach just a little farther north of there . . . Get the idea?

Khao Lak is very quiet nowadays too - but the beaches are even more beautiful than ever. Check out Pakarang at http://khaolaklovers.com/pakarang-drive.htm

Check out also Phuket's Best Island Drives for places even the local folks don't know about: http://phuketdelight.com/Best%20Island%20Drives.htm

[Miyazaki]

Ted,

It alwas amazes me when I see people say that they aren't interested in Phuket because of Patong.

I guess people just aren't aware of the possibilities up north on the island for beautiful, peacful beaches and scenery.

Yeah, it does seem that the tourists are 'lazy' in that they basically stay in the same area, patong and karon, for most of their vacation, never venture up north.

I guess it's good for people like me though.