Thailand decision

6ix

I'm going to Thailand with my girlfriend in a few weeks. I'll be spending a 2 nights in Bangkok, then 5 more in Chiang Mai and then 9 nights in the south before returning to Bangkok. I'm looking for advice on the 9 nights in the south. We'll be flying between destinations to maximise our time.

Do you think with such a timeframe that it would be better to stick to one coast rather than travelling between the coasts? With the wealth of choice of islands/mainland areas to visit, it's hard to decide! Many friends have recommended both Phi Phi and Phangnan but I'm not sure if going both would be a good idea. We won't make a full moon party when we're there either.

We'd prefer doing activities rather than sunbathing most of the time, (although it's good to have a balance), so I suppose we'd be looking for somewhere that's not too quiet.

Any opinions?

Glowing

Both Phi Phi and Phangnan are beautiful, but I imagine Phi Phi would be more touristy than parts of Phangnan (you can really get off the beaten track there)

Both the east and west coasts have very different climates - so that could be your decider... they have monsoons at different times of the year.

Koh Tao is great too btw, particularly if you're interested in Scuba ...

Edit: Please stay off the elephants over there ..... horrible horrible industry.

Lil Miss MJ

If i were you I definatley would decide on a coast. ive spent the past three summers over there and havent made it to the east coast yet. Phi Phiis such a cool place we keep goin back.Truely is paradise! Its soo laid back in the daytime and depending on what kind of nyts out u like it has realxes beach bars to banging beach bars to just the normal Irish/sports places. Definatley fly - Air Asia was the cheapest this summer - Last year it was Nok Air - but they seem 2 have limited their flights! If u have ur dates sorted maybe look at Air Asia now - they had real cheap flights if you book in advance.