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Originally posted by Skipper I'm headed to Thailand from Dec 22 - Jan 5/6. I'll probably only spend a day or two in Bangkok as I fly in from China, and after that I'm going to check out some of the islands along the gulf of thailand, such as Koh Tao and Koh Phangan. I know of the full moon party in Koh Phangan - there's one on Dec 24, then parties on Christmas day and New Years eve. It looks like a bit of a shit show, the kind of thing that needs to be witnessed once in your life, but the vids of the party on youtube all include really really horrible trance until the afternoon the next day! Has anyone ever been to Thailand and can offer some advice or suggestions on how to spend my time? I'll probably be alone most of the time.

Full moon was a disappointment, especially if going for the music. I spent most of my time either fending off pickpockets or trying to find a way off the island as we got scammed for the return ticket. If i had gone to full moon when i was 20 id probably liked it better. But musically it sounded mostly like some shit american bar in the middle of ohio half the time.

What you should do is spend a week in Riley Beach. If you do, stay at Highland Cottages. Its cheap, peaceful, and very scenic. You feel like you are on an island when in fact you are on a big peninsula thats cut off from the mainland by a huge rock mountain. It's also somewhat off the beaten path. I say somewhat because its still set up for faraang (foreigners) but its not quite as hectic as most tourist spots. Stay away from Phuket unless you are going there for the cheap market shopping or for little boys/girls (nasty.. and im not joking either)

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Originally posted by djbruuen agreed, it may be a little too much time on a plane for my liking, but i would like to explore as much as possible. I don't really have much interest in Jakarta, but i'm not sure if i'd be able to get direct flights to bali from the other places at a cheap price without stopping there first. Why the negative comments about phuket? i think it looks incredible from the pics, and close proximity to phi phi island.

I dont care about the commercial aspect of Phuket. That doesnt bother me. But i found a lot of it to be dirty, and trashy. And lots and lots of 8 year old hookers everywhere. It was disturbing to say the least. Especially Patong.

The very south tip of Phuket was nice but the rest of it isnt worth worrying about.

thanks for the tip...damn even though its so far away for me, i'm starting to get excited about going.

in regards to phuket, the resort i was looking at is on karon beach. would that area at least be recommended? (i'm kinda trying to devide my trip into 1 place relax, 1 place explore...so this would just be a relaxing for 4-5 days sort of place.


jayx: what are some of the most incredible things you did there that can't be missed when in thailand?

Karon Beach was nice. I stayed at the Hilton there. But still. Phuket is Phuket. Once you travel the rest of the country you will see why.

Incredible things? Well i definately recommend those Highland cabins in Railay Beach. If i go back to Thailand im headed straight there. Pi Pi Don is cool but heavily touristed. I still recommend it though. The scenery is nice there as well. Also, if you want to go diving for around $150 CDN for the whole day including lunch i can put you in touch with a diving instructor in Phucket (the diving was amazing). He's a French dude and his french neighbour also has an amazing little hotel thats clean and cheap and has a nice pool. Super friendly people too. Oh wait... around here this might be considered spam... i take it all back!

I'm just stumped as to what to do for NYE if not Koh Phangnan or Bangkok? I don't need an all night party or anything, but I want some kind of excitement.

I was just thinking of finding accomodation elsewhere on the island, checking out the party, but generally staying on the other beaches for my time there.

im in ibiza right now. leaving for thailand tomorrow for a month. catching the full moon party for october, then going into laos, then returning to thailand for christmas eve - christmas day - new years eve party.

traveling alone, if anyone wants to meet up and party, im up for it.

also heading to vietnam, cambodia, malaysia, china after if anyone wants to tag along. i speak lao, its similar to thai so I will be able to get around somewhat.

edit; pick up lonely planet - thailand islands and beaches

well worth the money, basically im following it, starting in bkk, going to cheng mai or however its spelled, then going all the way south to do island and beach hopping!

I just returned from living in Singapore and Thailand for the last almost 5 months.

Thailand is a magical place, I am sure that is why you are going. As far as I am concerned I never left, I wish I had planned to stay/live there longer.

Bangkok is a wild/crazy place. Crazy pollution and traffic, but shopping is fantastic and the food/people/sights and experiences that you will see and feel will be unreal. My suggestion is to stay as close to Ko San Road, just beware that it is loud, full of shopping, the only place I saw that you could buy insects and all other sorts of oddities to eat in Bangkok. I personally stayed in the D & D hotel and I was happy, it was basic and cheap and right in the middle of Ko San.

BUT MY BEST THAILAND SUGGESTION IS:
go to Kachanaburi to the ERAWAN FALLS, this place is stunning, like nothing I have even seen before in my life, it is in the very north of Thailand, actually right on the Thai/Myanmar border, and the falls are 7 tiered, with green blue surreal water, you can swim in 5 of the pools that the water falls into, and there are adorable little fish in each pool that disparately try to pass their time by giving you a free pedicure. Let it happen, it is alot of fun.

I loved the Thai Islands, the beauty is that there you can experience the true rustic beauty of island life without the BS of Caribbean fake resort nonsense. Drink a beer for 20 cents Canadian or rent a moped for dirt cheap in places like Samui & Phuket, it is the best way to really explore the coast lines and stop to take pics and meet locals.

I went to the Full Moon Party, it was not bad. The music is very good when it is good, lots of goa trance and techno, but it is sort of opposite to what you are in Thailand for. Hard driving music in calm peaceful islands with a million Westerners trying desparatley to find drugs is not the final image I wanted to have of paradise. PS. The backlog on the way back from the Full Moon Party is a nightmare. 1000's of people all waiting for their one boat, amongst 20 boats, in knee deep water when they are drunk is a recipe for disaster; keep friends close.

I am not a tour person at all, but in Phuket do the tour for Maya Bay (or Leonardo Dicaprio Beach) and if you go to Kachanaburi do the Erawan Tour, it is like 30 bucks Canadian, with food and EVERYTHING else. Tours are good also because you meet alot of friends .

oh and Singapore/bore is the worlds most overrated 3 day trip ever, and you'll spend more money there than in any casino in the world.

If you want more substantial help I'd be more than willing to help you out....or you can check my pics on facebook for an idea of some of the places I mentioned search Marc Dambrosio. If not have an amazing time...it wont be hard

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Originally posted by 7-4-7 If you want more substantial help I'd be more than willing to help you out....or you can check my pics on facebook for an idea of some of the places I mentioned search Marc Dambrosio. If not have an amazing time...it wont be hard

hey tried searching but there's 2 of you .. i'm assuming you're the big question mark (?)

http://ryerson.facebook.com/s.php?q=Marc%20Dambrosio

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Palm Trees > Pine Trees , Sand > Snow

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Originally posted by dEsidEL hey tried searching but there's 2 of you .. i'm assuming you're the big question mark (?) http://ryerson.facebook.com/s.php?q=Marc%20Dambrosio

REALLY?!?!...thats odd.

ok I'll search you...whats your full name?

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Originally posted by 7-4-7 REALLY?!?!...thats odd. ok I'll search you...whats your full name?

Gustav Uribe .. aka. u got PM

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Palm Trees > Pine Trees , Sand > Snow