Korean Job Discussion Forums

joeteacher · Joined: 11 Jul 2007

I know there has been about a thousand threads about Thailand but.....for all you seasoned vets out there, where would you go if you had 9 days to spend (this, I imagine, will my first of many there)? I'm looking to do a relaxing sort of trip on the beach, more on the cheap side but would rather not sleep (or hang out with) roaches. So spending a little dough is alright. Oh, and I'm flying into Bangkok......thanks in advance. Ok, GO!

Drew345 · Joined: 24 May 2005

Well, the rains started about 2 weeks ago. Good news is floods shouldn't come until October.
The rainy season is wetter on the the Phuket (west) side, so I would go to the Samui (east) side. I would say fly to Samui as soon as you can (because you can alway see Bangkok on the return trip). If Samui is too built up for you, the take a boat over to Koh Pha Ngan. There was a great thread about Koh Pha Ngan here recently, but I can't seem to find it now.
You can fly Bangkok Airways to Samui Island directly; but they are expensive. Other option is to take the overnight train / ferry combo (careful of your bags). Or you can fly to Surat Thani and connect with the ferry.

waynehead · Joined: 18 Apr 2006 Location: Jongno

If you don't want to venture too far from Bangkok then I highly recommend Koh Samet, as it's only a few hours away from the city and is a great place to just chill...also, Pattaya's on the way, if you want to stop over for a day or two.

conbon78 · Joined: 05 Jun 2008

I did Ko Samui and Ko Phangan, plus my friend then ventured to Ko Tao, which she loved. We stayed in relatively nicer places - not as cheap as most of our friends and were able to stay in good spots. Loved both the islands that I saw. The islands are more expensive, so if you want to save money, stay around Bangkok.

joeteacher · Joined: 11 Jul 2007

Thanks for all your replies. Much appreciated!! Cheers.

Looney · Joined: 23 Dec 2008

joeteacher · Joined: 11 Jul 2007

The Gipkik · Joined: 30 Mar 2009

There are also some pristine islands in the Andaman Sea. I believe some can only be reached by ferry. Also there is Ko Tarutao and Ko Chang, if you want to get away from the sleazy tourist trade.

Moldy Rutabaga · Joined: 01 Jul 2003 Location: Ansan, Korea

My first trip to Thailand was to Jomtien, which is just south of Pattaya and is much less sleazy. From there I went to Ko Samet, and then finished the trip with a day in Bangkok. These areas are not far apart and I did the trip in nine days as well.

Ken:>

Fishead soup · Joined: 24 Jun 2007 Location: Korea

AllisonL · Joined: 24 Jul 2009

how long is the flight

Moldy Rutabaga · Joined: 01 Jul 2003 Location: Ansan, Korea

Things may have changed because this was four years ago. But when I was there with my wife and daughter, Jomtien felt a lot less sleazy and there were far fewer neon go-go clubs. The beach seemed much cleaner. I would still recommend it, if only because the hotels I found in Ko Samet were generally more expensive and had fewer amenities. But there are some really nice beach seafood restaurants on Ko Samet.

Ken:>

joeteacher · Joined: 11 Jul 2007

Fishead soup · Joined: 24 Jun 2007 Location: Korea

The best beaches are in Krabbi. You can fly direct to Krabbi. Stay on Au Nang beach. From there you can get anywhere including Phuket, Phi Phi Island, Kho Lanta. James Bond Island You can do day tours that include snorkeling equiptment, lunch transportation.

Hornbill · Joined: 09 Sep 2009

Do a Phuket/Phi Phi/Krabi roundabout. If you have time, go to Khao Lak up north of Phuket as well.

This trip would be the bomb.