Korean Job Discussion Forums

[ovid]

Hi, I've been working in Korea for the past year, but before I come back I want to have a needed rest. I have lots of fun in Korea, but being from california, I need my warm and relaxing weather.

So, I wanted to travel in mid December to early January and immediately Thailand came to mind. But upon doing some research, a lot of people have been telling me it's not the cheap paradise it once was. I just want some advice on something cheap and within asia that would be fun and inexpensive.

Bear in mind, I don't plan to drink excessively or really go through clubs or whatever. I really just want to go to the beach, relax, and maybe go to a few touristy places. Any advice on places to go to, including Thailand, please let me know. I'm trying to keep my budget below $1000.

[ttompatz]

[bucheon bum]

If that doesn't include airfare, thailand is definitely do-able with that amount of cash for a month or less.

Malaysia is possible but a bit more difficult financially. Monsoons hit the east side of Malaysia that time of year too, so probably not the best option.

Your money would go further in indonesia, which also has what you're looking for.

It is also the best time of year to visit India, but I imagine airfare would be a lot higher to get there than s.east asia.

Last suggestion is Vietnam. It has some nice beaches. Halong Bay, Hanoi, and Hoi An are all worth visiting too.

[Atavistic]

You're from California. Thailand is cheap. Vietnam is dirt cheap.

[ovid]

hi, thanks for all your responses. I've been looking at some hotels down in Phuket and they're pretty cheap.. about $400 for 10 days at a pretty nice hotel. I'm still considering other places, but Thailand has such gorgeous beaches.

Now, I'm just worried how many tourists are going to go show up..

[Atavistic]

Down by Phuket, there's a place uh...Casa Brazil? Great place, HUGE rooms, esp if solo, nice people.

[oxfordstu]

^ Yeah, that place is good. 700 baht a night I think. Keep in mind that Phuket is the most expensive place in Thailand, and having never been to the country before, you will probably spend more because you won't know how to find the bargains. Koh Phangan on the other side is a little cheaper and has gorgeous beaches as well. $1000 for a few weeks is doable, but it's going to be tight.

[ovid]

well now i'm kinda worried. All I want to do is eat and go out and just relax pretty much. Is Phuket really going to be costly? Bare in mind I only want to keep that $1000 for the hotel/food/touristy stuff. The ticket is going to be separate, so i'd probably have 500-600 for that.. is there a place similar to Phuket that might be cheaper?

I really would love to spend time at a beautiful beach...

[demaratus]

$1000 is more than enough for what you want in Phuket. Stay at a guesthouse, if you stay a block or two off the beach the price drops a lot. I stayed at a great place 5 minutes from the beach in Patong for $10 low season, it had cable, very clean, good bathroom, great bed, great food, laundry service ect. It should be as cheap or cheaper in Kamala or other beaches. $1000 is plenty for the time you wanna spend.

As some others mentioned, Vietnam is dirt cheap, the Philippines would also be a great option.

[ttompatz]

[ovid]

thanks for all your responses. it has really helped me want to really travel out and i definitely want to check out those places later on. indonesia would be great, but the weather now.. seems perfect for the thailand area, and i'm guessing surrounding vietnam as well.

i decided to go to Kon Phangan and I'm really excited about it. i've done a little research and although i wanted to check out northern thailand (very foresty from what i've read), this place seems like a cheaper, less crowded Phuket. Thanks again all!

[chris_J2]

Avoid Patong Beach in Phuket. I stayed at Kamala last January, which was great. Other beach resorts in Thailand worth considering are Ko Samet, Hua Hin, Ko Tao, Ko Pha Ngan, Ko Samui, Krabi (Ao Nang / Railay Bay) & Ko Lanta.

Avoid Haad Rin on Ko Pha Ngan, unless full-moon parties, drugs & excessive binge drinking appeal.

http://www.kohphangan.com/

Thong Nai Pan Yai & Noi are about the nicest beaches, imho.

[kat2]

Are you going by yourself or with someone? We stayed (hubby and I) at a place at Mae Haad on Koh PHangan. We ate three meals a day, had a drink every night, bungalow for 7 days. All was about 8,000 baht for the two of us. But its very remote and wouldn't be good to go to alone b/c you would get bored and lonely. It's absolutely gorgeous though and you can walk right out of your bungalow and into the water for some excellent snorkeling over the reef. Let me know if you are interested. But like I said, i wouldn't recommend it if you are traveling alone.

[oxfordstu]

If you go to Koh Phangan, Thong Nai Pan Yai and Noi are great --- nice swimming and good restaurants behind the resorts. I was there 2 months ago, and although both beaches are getting crowded with boats are tourists (2 years ago there were only 60 people on the beach - now around 200), it's still a nice place.

But my favorite beach is Haad Yao on the west side. I was there after Yai and there are very few tourists there. It's quite hot, but the water is very shallow and the coral provides some good snorkeling. It's been called "the perfect beach" by some. There are bungalows right on the beach that you can get for 300 baht a night (although they are hard to secure). We paid 500 baht a night at Sandy Bay. I'll post some pics later.

I've heard Haad Salad is also good.

[oxfordstu]

Haad Yao:




Thong Nai Pan Noi:


Thong Nai Pan Yai: