Korean Job Discussion Forums

[mikesaidyes]

So I'm going solo for Christmas vacation. 12/22-12/30. I am not afraid of traveling alone, but I'm having a hard time sorting all the islands out.

I arrive Sat at 9 PM. I've found a hostel in Solim (gayborhood for the gay in me) that is also popular and busy, so that's that. I'm thinking two nights in Bangkok...

Head south on Monday. I was thinking of making my way by train to Koh Phangan for the proper Full Moon Party, BUT all of the hostels are a ridiculous 50,000 KRW and require a full week's stay. Ridiculous. I love to party, but not that much.

So where else should I go? Ko Samui? I was thinking of a train pit stop in Hua Hin just for one night (seems like halfway)....

All the peeps in my hood say Ko Phi Phi?! AHH. Too. many. islands.

[fezmond]

if you're heading to KPH for the full moon party then you should either get in early or not sleep in a hostel.

you could just turn up on the evening via boat and party all through the night or hook up. it will be damn crowded though.

as for the other islands - never been to samui but hear it's ok. phi-phi don is very nice but expensive, can't stay on phi-phi leh.

have you thought about railey beach near krabi? it's a peninsula with a decent vibe (been a few years) and some decent beaches. could be completely different now but worth looking at

[John Stamos jr.]

There should be quieter places on the other side of Ko Phangan. It's small enough to rent a motorbike to get around but be careful since the roads are/used to be horrible. I had a bad crash there the night before the FMP and had to go to Ko Samui for proper medical treatment. A ton of people were coming from Ko Samui just for the party as I was leaving. I think samui is obviously more resortish and expensive and Phangan is the opposite. I dug it, though, and spent two weeks there figuring out how to wipe and jerk south paw.

Phi Phi stinks, IMO. There are better/cheaper places to spend your time. And I heavily endorse fezmond's Krabi/Railay beach advice. My friend and I found this crazy chilled out beautiful beach around there that you could only get to by climbing over these huge rocks, wow. Some rasta Thai guy spiked my coffee when I said I wanted it "real strong... real strong [shady smile]?... yeah" and I spent six hours swinging on a vine in the middle of the jungle. Very interesting vibe to the place, but that's the area I'd go to if I were in your position. Absolutely beautiful.

[wishfullthinkng]

if any hostel is requiring 50k a nite with a week minimum just stay at a hotel. hotels aren't much more and don't require the week minimum stay. plus you don't have to worry so much about bedbugs, unsanitary conditions, waiting to use the bathroom, theft, etc.

[mikesaidyes]

I'll definitely look into the Krabi Railay Beach area. It's also kind of easy-ish to get to. The flights are like 250 USD from BKK because it's high season, so it's a loong ass train for me.

What about beaches southeast of Bangkok? In the other direction? Anything good?

[mikesaidyes]

What about Ko Chang or Ko Samet?

[fezmond]

[John Stamos jr.]

I just did a google and that's it, Tonsai. I completely forgot about all the loons there climbing those crazy rocks, too. Big rock climbing place, I guess. I remember we stayed there because, like you said, there was construction going on everywhere. Think it wasn't long after that big tsunami. Anyway, yeah, that place was pretty cool. Great beach and that jungle all up the mountain with random hammocks everywhere. Strange vibe like you said with the drugs, reggae, fire shows, isolation, and rasta Thai guys. But I like all those things except for maybe rasta Thai guys. Can't beat a place where you can wake up, get a big plate of eggs and juicy bacon, drink some meth coffee, then spend all day swinging on a vine.

[lemak]