where is the best way to spend holidays thailand? phuket, phi-phi or somewhere else?

Question

i am going to phuket and i need ideas on how, where to spend it. i have been to phuket before and i find it more attractive to spend it on the outlying islands , eg phi-phi, than on phukets. any idea?

Answer 1

Besides the islands and resorts in the south, why don't you try the north or the northeast of thailand. They're different to the beach resorts but worth to make visits.

I just came back from Mae Hongsohn some few hundred km from Chiengmai. I rent a car from Bangkok (you can do so from Chiengai airport) and drove it all the way to Pai (~90 km north of Chiengmai), stay one night at Pai and continue the trip to Maehong sohn, stay another nght and drove back to Chiengmai the other day and spent another night in Chiengmai. There're 874 curves to MHS if you reverse the direction I made. On the way back to Bangkok, I visited Sukhothai (Thai's capital 700 years ago) and Kampaengpeth. You'll see the ruin cities and they give you another feel of the visit.

There're lot of attractions and better to spen at least double more times in both Pai and MHS. There're lot to see and enjoy (treking, canoeing, elephant riding, meet the hill tribes people, etc). The weather is fresh, clean and real nice! Temp varies from low 10 (0-4 deg C on the hill) at night to low 20 deg C in the noon time

Since I'm a thai living in Bangkok, I'd say that the people of MHS won my heart and impressed me a lot (villagers, police officers, forestry officials, restuarant waitress, local vendors, and all people living there). They're so friendly, nice, soft spoken, willing to help people, broad smile, not tricky, etc. They're the the good old Thai I knew many years ago in Chiengmai, Chiengrai and Lampang. Please note, good meal there may cost you less than 100 baht a meal (you will see how 10 baht coin is worth there)

Try it and you'll feel great to have a real touch of the north. Northeasteran provinces are also recomended for your future visit.

Answer 2

Phi Phi is great, but wears thin in a few days. After phuket and Phi Phi, why don't you take the boat that goes to Aonang? It's a beautiful beach, and smaller, more peaceful place with lots of cute shops and restaurants. There is also a little soi with clubs when you want to party.
It's about and hour from Phi Phi and I believe right now there is a boat from Aonang directly back to Phuket. Whatever you choose, enjoy!

Answer 3

Why are you going to phuket if you prefer other islands? If you have already done these islands try the main land. You can get a hire car on the mainland and travel all over thailand, there are so many interesting places to stay. live with the locals in grass huts, fish with them in rivers, go trekking with elephants on non tourist trips. All you have to do is stop in villages everyone is so friendly and they just love to show off their country. Be more adventerous and forget tourist areas so much more fun. Have a great trip

Answer 4

Koh Samui or Koh Chang: Relax with Thai massage, beautiful beach and luxuary spa.

But if you prefer the crazy nightlife, better go to Pattaya, Phuket or Bangkok.

Answer 5

Sounds like you have a better idea of what you like than i will but why don't you try venturing around.. have the fun of finding your own spot.. maybe go north of Phuket to Ranong on the Burmese border - - the journey is the thing!! Enjoy..

Answer 6

Well what is your question then? Phuket is not your goal,islands like Phi-Phi,Koh Samui etc. you might know already. A beautyful hyde-a-way is Kho Racha (expensive) and other "secret" places!Pls be more specific...

Answer 7

Consider the beach resorts in Krabi and Phang-nga, as well as their outlying islands.

Answer 8

Koh Samui is another good one.

It's really up to you.

Answer 9

i guess u could try diving (if u have a divers cert) on one of the islands!!

Answer 10

Pattaya - just back from there...

enjoy your holiday~