Korean Job Discussion Forums

Ilsanman · Joined: 15 Aug 2003 Location: Bucheon, Korea

It's down between Krabi and Koh Samui. We have lots of time to decide, thankfully.

It mihyt come down to price and availablity.

Tobias · Joined: 02 Jun 2008

Those two are great choices. You won't go wrong heading to those places. Someone in this thread mentioned Koh Tao, which is near Samui. That's another good place to go, but know that there is only a token police presence on Tao. Motorcyles going 40 mph on sidewalks are plentiful, though, so have travel insurance if you go to turtle island.

newinseoul · Joined: 22 Sep 2005 Location: Busan

Koh Samui is extremely touristy. If you're looking for a bit of peace and quiet, you may not find it. It is good that you can go to Koh Tao and even Koh Phangnan from there for good scuba diving.

Krabi is a great place. Krabi per se doesn't have a beach. The area called Ao Nang is a good place to stay. It is also the jump off point to Railay beach. I'd recommend staying on Railay beach which is a short boat ride from Ao Nang beach. Railay is gorgeous.
Koh Phi Phi is another suggestion of a place to visit or stay at.

Krabi has an airport so you can fly there from Bangkok. Check this website for more information on Krabi. I went in October and it rained off and on. November could be hit and miss with the weather. I'd suggest as others said to go in Dec, Jan, Feb, for the best weather.

http://www.1stopkrabi.com/

wormholes101 · Joined: 11 Mar 2003

Hanson · Joined: 20 Oct 2004

Tobias · Joined: 02 Jun 2008

Koh Samet isn't a place you would go for longer than a day or two. It's too small with too few accomodations. Koh Samui would be better. Best would be something on the Indian Ocean side, such as Krabi or Phi Phi. For SCUBA, head to Koh Tao, an island not far from Samui, in the gulf.

Ilsanman · Joined: 15 Aug 2003 Location: Bucheon, Korea

I will research all 3 and make a decision.

It might come down to which one has a cheaper package or ticket to.

Spongebob Squarepants · Posted: Tue Oct 21, 2008 7:05 am Post subject:

I lived in Thailand for 3 years, and my brother has been a PADI course director there for 9, between us we've been about everywhere there is to go.

OP, why do you want to do the touristy thing in Phuket or Samui?

Sure both these places are much better than Pattaya (or you could just go to Hua Hin), but why not go somewhere that doesn't have the in-your-face tourist scene including the hookers and lady boys (trust me Phuket and Samui are both overflowing with them.

First think about the time you want to go. The Andaman season (Phuket, Phi Phi, Krabi, Trang) is beginning now and will last until May. The Gulf (Samui, Pang Ngan) monsoon is now, and in May the Gulf side season starts.

Next, what scene do you want? If you want tourist things to do for a family of first-timers Phuket is nice (but you might be surprised at all the concrete and tall hotels), flights from BKK 2wice a day. Krabi and Trang provinces are less accessible, but offer great retreats away from your everyday tourist spot and are much cheaper: check out Koh Lanta, Koh Lipae, Koh Kradan.

Another option is Koh Chang in Trat province, or like another poster said Koh Samet (around 3 hours from BKK).

Keep in mind most of these places are national marine parks so beautiful beaches are to be found everywhere; they are basically variations of a theme.