If it’s just Sun and you don’t mind a nine hour flight, Barbados or even a fly cruise around the Caribbean, are you taking the future ex wife with you? She’ll love it.
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Holidays
- Thread starter Betterdeedthan red
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aka blue jambo
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Have a look at Railey Beach, Ao Nang.
Northern Phuket is also a good shout as others have said. I've stayed at the Marriott Phuket Beach Club and would definitely recommend.
Kamala is a great resort in Phuket
Lovely beachfront town
aka blue jambo
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I’m considering going to Thailand with the missus, but I’m not really sure the best location to stay.
I’m after more of a relaxed, chilled out holiday, with some touristy things to do. I’ve had a look at the various islands, but I’m not quite sure - Ko Samui looks decent. Anyone on here got any recommendations?
Double check what weather is like when you are visiting
Weather can vary wildly
Ie samui in June is good but terrible in Phuket
aka blue jambo
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Hong Kong, Bangkok & Phuket in a couple of weeks time. Any must dos? Never been that part of the world.
Do all the tourist stuff just in case you don't go back.
PragueBlue
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That is correct. They are pretty much the opposites in terms of weather. When it's dry season in Phuket, it's rainy season in Samui and vice versa,Double check what weather is like when you are visiting
Weather can vary wildly
Ie samui in June is good but terrible in Phuket
aka blue jambo
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A mate of mine just gon to Thailand for the first time, I'd like to go one day. Need to knock the booze on the head and save up
Do it pal you won't regret it!!
aka blue jambo
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That is correct. They are pretty much the opposites in terms of weather. When it's dry season in Phuket, it's rainy season in Samui and vice versa,
I know it sounds simple but a lot of first timers make that mistake
Manchester_lalala
Well-Known Member
I’ve been to Thailand more times than I can think back, I’m there now.I’m considering going to Thailand with the missus, but I’m not really sure the best location to stay.
I’m after more of a relaxed, chilled out holiday, with some touristy things to do. I’ve had a look at the various islands, but I’m not quite sure - Ko Samui looks decent. Anyone on here got any recommendations?
Keep away from Phuket, it’s not a proper Thai experience. Patong Beach is absolutely nuts, if you want a chilled holiday don’t even entertain it. The beaches are busy, volume of people is just to much, other better places to go in Thailand.
Koh Samui on the other hand gives you the best of both worlds. Chewang Beach is quiet during the day but has enough nightlife at night to make it worthwhile going out. Also has some very nice waterfalls and viewpoints across the island. You can take trips to either Koh Phangan or Koh Tao.
My favourite islands are Koh Chang/Koh Mak/Koh Kood which is east Thailand close to the Cambodian border. Koh Kood has hardly been touched, not 7/11’s, no chain shops/restaurants, just bliss. Koh Chang is gorgeous, some great restaurants which are either Thai or international cuisine and hotels are fairly good price. Only thing about these islands is I often think you need to have been to Thailand before to properly enjoy them, as they are off the beaten track and you could feel overwhelmed.
I could go on all day about the places to visit but the best bet is to stick to Koh Samui for the first time and venture off to the two islands close by. That’s the best thing to do in Thailand, going to other close by islands. Just don’t go to Thailand between June-October, high chance of a washout. Rainy season lasts till December in Samui too, I think some posters have already mentioned. Although I was there last November and had no rain at all. On the other hand I’ve been in December and they’ve had major floods. Proper roll the dice weather sort of holiday at the time of year.
Highly recommend going in mid April for Songkran, no other party like it in the world. Water fights for days, like being 10 years old again.
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Cheadle_hulmeBlue
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I’ve been to Thailand more times than I can think back, I’m there now.
Keep away from Phuket, it’s not a proper Thai experience. Patong Beach is absolutely nuts, if you want a chilled holiday don’t even entertain it. The beaches are busy, volume of people is just to much, other better places to go in Thailand.
Koh Samui on the other hand gives you the best of both worlds. Chewang Beach is quiet during the day but has enough nightlife at night to make it worthwhile going out. Also has some very nice waterfalls and viewpoints across the island. You can take trips to either Koh Phangan or Koh Tao.
My favourite islands are Koh Chang/Koh Mak/Koh Kood which is east Thailand close to the Cambodian border. Koh Kood has hardly been touched, not 7/11’s, no chain shops/restaurants, just bliss. Koh Chang is gorgeous, some great restaurants which are either Thai or international cuisine and hotels are fairly good price. Only thing about these islands is I often think you need to have been to Thailand before to properly enjoy them, as they are off the beaten track and you could feel overwhelmed.
I could go on all day about the places to visit but the best bet is to stick to Koh Samui for the first time and venture off to the two islands close by. That’s the best thing to do in Thailand, going to other close by islands. Just don’t go to Thailand between June-October, high chance of a washout. Rainy season lasts till December in Samui too, I think some posters have already mentioned. Although I was there last November and had no rain at all. On the other hand I’ve been in December and they’ve had major floods. Proper roll the dice weather sort of holiday at the time of year.
Highly recommend going in mid April for Songkran, no other party like it in the world. Water fights for days, like being 10 years old again.
Thanks mate. I really appreciate your recommendations. Koh Samui sounds like a good choice - more chilled and it gives me the chance to travel around as well.
PragueBlue
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Personally much prefer Phuket to Samui. It has its wilder side (Patong) but has plenty of quieter, more relaxing areas too. Plenty to do on the island and easy access to Krabi and Phang Nga. It can be as Thai or touristy as you want it to be. Something for everyone. It really depends on when you are going though as whether varies a lot between the 2 islands.Thanks mate. I really appreciate your recommendations. Koh Samui sounds like a good choice - more chilled and it gives me the chance to travel around as well.
hampshireblue
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I've pm'd you if you wanna give me a call. Far too hard to type it all out.Given your lengthy stay, can I ask about how you go about accessing funds with minimum fees and fuss for the duration? We’ll be heading to Vietnam for several weeks early next year, considering Revolut but have seen there are restrictions on number of atm withdrawals, Any suggestions? Thanks
Manchester_lalala
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If I went back to Phuket I’d stay around the kata beach area. Experience decent surf there a few years back, best I’ve experienced in Thailand.Personally much prefer Phuket to Samui. It has its wilder side (Patong) but has plenty of quieter, more relaxing areas too. Plenty to do on the island and easy access to Krabi and Phang Nga. It can be as Thai or touristy as you want it to be. Something for everyone. It really depends on when you are going though as whether varies a lot between the 2 islands.
PragueBlue
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I prefer the North West coast myself. Layan, Nai Thon, Nai Yang and Mai Khao beaches are my favourites as they are all very quiet (especially the latter 2). Rawai and Cape Panwa on the East costs are pretty decent too. None of them are good for surf though! Nai Harn on the South of the island was always reckoned to be the best for that.If I went back to Phuket I’d stay around the kata beach area. Experience decent surf there a few years back, best I’ve experienced in Thailand.
Kata is nice though, especially Kata Noi, and my favourite of the South Western beaches. I avoid Karon and Patong like the plague as they're not really my kind of thing. Way too busy and touristy. Kamala and Surin are ok but swimming there can be a bit dangerous due to rip tides at certain times of the year.
Manchester_lalala
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I went to Patong last year, it was my fourth time and proper see my arse with it. Busiest I’ve ever seen it, may as well had been in Benidorm. I think it’s an age thing, I loved it a few years ago in my twenties, just preferred the chilled life now. Currently in Koh Samet, lovely little island. Been meaning to go for years but never came round to it.I prefer the North West coast myself. Layan, Nai Thon, Nai Yang and Mai Khao beaches are my favourites as they are all very quiet (especially the latter 2). Rawai and Cape Panwa on the East costs are pretty decent too. None of them are good for surf though! Nai Harn on the South of the island was always reckoned to be the best for that.
Kata is nice though, especially Kata Noi, and my favourite of the South Western beaches. I avoid Karon and Patong like the plague as they're not really my kind of thing. Way too busy and touristy. Kamala and Surin are ok but swimming there can be a bit dangerous due to rip tides at certain times of the year.
franksinatra
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Just booked 4 days in Prague and restaurant recommendations, ideally for veggies or interesting places/areas to visit outside the main attractions.@KnaresboroughBlue
PragueBlue
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I can't stand Patong either but easy to avoid it. I lived in Phuket for around 15 years and never set foot in Patong the last 10 of those. I know some people who love it but they must have very different taste to me.I went to Patong last year, it was my fourth time and proper see my arse with it. Busiest I’ve ever seen it, may as well had been in Benidorm. I think it’s an age thing, I loved it a few years ago in my twenties, just preferred the chilled life now. Currently in Koh Samet, lovely little island. Been meaning to go for years but never came round to it.
Koh Samet is nice, just found it a bit limited. If someone just wants a relaxing beach holiday, it certainly does the job. I must admit I haven't been there in probably around 8 years though, so it may well have changed.
PragueBlue
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I'm probably about as much the opposite of a vegetarian as you can get, so probably can't help much on that score, though most restaurants offer vegetarian options these days.Just booked 4 days in Prague and restaurant recommendations, ideally for veggies or interesting places/areas to visit outside the main attractions.@KnaresboroughBlue
If you want to PM me regarding things that you enjoy or that interest you, I'd be happy to suggest some places to visit outside the main attractions.
doots
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I went to Koh Samui 4 years on the bounce, loved every minute of it.Thanks mate. I really appreciate your recommendations. Koh Samui sounds like a good choice - more chilled and it gives me the chance to travel around as well.
Mate ran a bar there(well, the police ran it).
I think the island's got a bit of everything from fantastic beaches,food places and night life to seediness,sex trade and anything that goes.
Rent a scooter and wizz round the island, plenty of different places to go.
The airport is the coolest, quirkiest I've ever seen too.
I'm a bit torn regarding where to go, Thailand or Goa, went to Goa in 2020 for the first time and loved it, I mean the people, the food and most of all the sun every day, lounging around the shacks and walking the miles of beautiful beach.
Am divorced now, so it's a different trip to last time, part of me thinks it's easier to go somewhere I'm familiar with but I hear so many good things about places like Phuket, Pattaya & Koh Samui and by all accounts if I leave it til late Dec/early Jan then I'll have the similar weather.
As for nightlife, well I'm an FOC now, still like a mooch about in the evenings and if I hit the right sort of place I've no problem staying out til sunrise, or beyond, no reins on these days.
It's a dilemma, I've even considered doing a 2 or 3 weeks at each, if I do Goa first I'm already half way to Thailand.
Am divorced now, so it's a different trip to last time, part of me thinks it's easier to go somewhere I'm familiar with but I hear so many good things about places like Phuket, Pattaya & Koh Samui and by all accounts if I leave it til late Dec/early Jan then I'll have the similar weather.
As for nightlife, well I'm an FOC now, still like a mooch about in the evenings and if I hit the right sort of place I've no problem staying out til sunrise, or beyond, no reins on these days.
It's a dilemma, I've even considered doing a 2 or 3 weeks at each, if I do Goa first I'm already half way to Thailand.