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hip-hop boy78 · Joined: 02 Dec 2004 Posts: 90 Location: Hip-hop land

Hi everyone Very Happy

I'll be coming to Thailand on the 28th of December for 5 nights/6 days and I'll be spending about 2 nights in Bangkok before moving on to an island for another 3 nights. This will be my third trip to Thailand so I'd like to visit one of the islands closest to Bangkok..i.e. either Koh Samet or more likely Koh Chang since I've already been to Koh Samui and Phuket. Basically I was just wondering if anyone has been to one of these two islands and if they could tell me what the place is like and which part of the island is better.
Also since I'll be arriving in the high season would it be best to try and reserve a hotel room in Bangkok/Koh Chang now or will I still be able to just turn up and find something when I arrive on the 28th? Any hotel/ beach bungalows you'd like to recommend would also be very much appreciated. Thanks!

moot point · Joined: 22 Feb 2005 Posts: 441

I visited Koh Chang about the same time of year as you're planning to go, albeit about 5 years ago. Prices certainly go up at this time, but you should still be able to find accommodations.

For myself, I booked a mini-bus through the Malaysia Hotel near Lumphini Park which rushed us down the highway and to the boat terminal for a comfortable ride. The boat ride was quick and we found a little bed-bug ridden bungalow on the beach in a matter of minutes.

Comparing Koh Chang to places further east (especially near the Cambodian border and beyond), the value for the dollar isn't that good. It's a nice atmosphere with your usual conveniences of massages on the beach, lots of grass, bars set up with pool tables, etc., but you can find much better rooms and beaches if you're willing to risk heading a little further east.

Personally, I recommend Cambodia but if you don't want to go that far and deal with the subsequent visas then I'd suggest hiring a cab in Trat (the drop-off point for those heading to Koh Chang) and tell him you're looking for a prime beach with a bit of local culture. Offer him a good fare and I'm sure he'll find you something to suit your tastes.

Kent F. Kruhoeffer · Joined: 22 Jan 2003 Posts: 2129 Location: 中国

If you decide to head south,

this party sounds pretty cool:

http://www.hotel-krabi.com/greenspirit//

It's a 3-day New Year's Rave on Krabi.

I might end up there myself,

schedule permitting.

Sfumato · Joined: 20 Oct 2005 Posts: 14

Kent F. Kruhoeffer · Joined: 22 Jan 2003 Posts: 2129 Location: 中国

Hi John

Sfumato · Joined: 20 Oct 2005 Posts: 14

hip-hop boy78 · Joined: 02 Dec 2004 Posts: 90 Location: Hip-hop land

Thanks for the replies and the tip about Hua Hin but I think I'd rather head to Koh Chang this time around. I've tried reserving a hotel off the website Koh-Chang.com but so far haven't heard back anything so not sure where that leaves me. Anyone got any other ideas?

Sfumato · Joined: 20 Oct 2005 Posts: 14

hip-hop boy78 · Joined: 02 Dec 2004 Posts: 90 Location: Hip-hop land

Yep thanks for the advice...I'm actually considering Pattaya as an option now aswell...anyone been there?

Welshguy · Joined: 06 Jan 2005 Posts: 143

For my two bobs worth Pattaya sucks bigtime and is best avoided.

Kent F. Kruhoeffer · Joined: 22 Jan 2003 Posts: 2129 Location: 中国

^ Pattaya is certainly 'commercially oriented'

but I had a jolly good time when I was there.

It would not be my first choice as a holiday

destination, but for a quick get-away from

the din of Bangkok, it's OK in my book.

hip-hop boy78 · Joined: 02 Dec 2004 Posts: 90 Location: Hip-hop land

I've booked two nights at the New Siam II hotel in Bangkok and then will probably spend the next three days in Pattaya before heading home.
Where is a good place for souvenir shopping in Bangkok? Such as buying T-shirts, cheap books, other small paraphernalia. I've heard about the MBK shopping mall. How can I get there from the Banglamphu area?

Kent F. Kruhoeffer · Joined: 22 Jan 2003 Posts: 2129 Location: 中国

It's not far at all.

Just jump into a taxi.

Here's MBK's homepage in English:

http://www.mbk-center.com/en/index.asp

Another GREAT place for souvenir stuff is Chatuchak market;

a very short walk from the Mo Chit BTS Skytrain station.

It is the largest semi-outdoor market in Bangkok:

http://www.bts.co.th/en/map.asp (Skytrain)

At both places mentioned above, you can haggle with vendors a little.

Be polite but persistent - make an offer, and then start to walk away.

You'll save a few bucks.

Trust me. Very Happy

hip-hop boy78 · Joined: 02 Dec 2004 Posts: 90 Location: Hip-hop land

Kent,

Are the goods on sale at the MBK center real or fake? Is it acceptable practice to haggle in any store or just certain stores? I'm not too good at haggling Crying or Very sad

Anyway since you seem to be an expert on all things Bangkok or Thai-related I'll go ahead and ask you a couple of other questions too, if you don't mind.

1)Can you recommend a good pub/restaurant in the Khao San Road area? Any food except fish is ok.

2)Can you recommend a good hotel in Pattaya? Does it have a website?

3)Is it possible to take a bus from the Khao San Road area to Pattaya? How much does it cost and how long does the journey take?

Sorry to bother you, but would be grateful for any info you could give me. Thanks Very Happy

Kent F. Kruhoeffer · Joined: 22 Jan 2003 Posts: 2129 Location: 中国

You're very welcome,

but I'm no expert! Wink

re: haggling

The general rule of thumb is that you don't haggle in air-conditioned

department stores or malls where the products are clearly marked.

Outdoor markets, street vendors and small proprietors like the kind

you find at MBK will often entertain a reasonable counter-offer

if you are diplomatic and serious about buying something.

Just be polite and bargain on the more expensive items,

especially if you're planning to buy more than one of something.

re: real or fake?

If somebody offers you a 'genuine' Mont Blanc pen for only $5, it's fake. Laughing

re: Khao San Road

This area of town is a bit far from the Skytrain, so I don't get out that way too often.

Others may be able to provide better, more detailed answers to those questions.

In terms of food, you'll find everything from McD's to Italian cafes.

Here's the Khao San Road homepage:

http://www.khaosanroad.com/

re: Pattaya

There are thousands of hotels & guesthouses in every category & price range.

When I went last time, I stayed at a cheap hotel called The Honey Lodge.

At 500 Baht per night, it's clean, one block from the beach

with a swimming pool & all the basic amenities,

but it ain't exactly The Shangri La. Very Happy

They don't have a website, so here's a repost:

POST-MORTEM !!! 02 October 2005 @ 12 noon

Arrived back in Bangkok at 11 am this morning, safe & well rested.

Here are a few general tips for anyone who might want

to get out of Bangkok for a long weekend:

The air-con busses leave from Ekkamai or Mo Chit II Stations

and cost 110 Baht one-way. Take a window seat & enjoy the ride!

With normal traffic, it takes just under 2 hours each way.

In Pattaya, you'll find tons of hotels and guesthouses.

Honey Lodge (where I stayed) was only 500 Baht.

The hotel is fairly old, but the room was clean, and had

air, hot water shower, cable TV, a fridge and a balcony.

They also have a restaurant & a swimming pool.

Here's the contact information,

but they gladly accept walk-ins:

Honey Lodge

597/8 Moo 10 South Pattaya Road

tel: (+6638) 429133
fax (+6638) 710185

We're going into high season now ... which means

the 500 Baht quoted above may be a tad higher.

For general information and

a selection of Pattaya hotels,

try these few links:

http://www.pattayamail.com/ (Pattaya Mail)

http://www.pattayatoday.net/ (Pattaya Today)

http://www.pattayanet.com/ (PattayaNet.com)

http://www.mypattaya.com/ (My Pattaya.com)

http://www.pattaya-at-night.com/ (Pattaya-at-Night)

http://www.pattaya.com/index_eng.asp (Pattaya.com)

http://www.pattayacity.com/pattaya/index.html (Pattaya City)

Have fun!