Thailand - help me plan destinations?

Zascar

I'm heading to Thailand in late September for just over 2 weeks. I have been before and did Bangkok, Koh Samui and Joh Tao for diving. I did not like Koh Samui much really. This time I'm going with a friend who has never been before. I was thinking of doing a few days in Koh Tao, then head to Chang Mai as I hear its much nicer, more 'real Thailand' - but I have no idea what to expect or what do do when I'm there.

My friend wants to go to Phuket after that, I'm not sure if its as trashy and commercial as Koh Samui, but i'll give it a shot and maybe explore the surrounding areas. Maybe some of the islands? We'd prefer to be active not just lying on beaches all day.

I would really appreciate any suggestions people can give me as to what to do where. I know Bangkok well, I think I'll spend a couple of days there on the way in and way out, but I'll have 12 or so days to spend between a few more places, Chang Mai and then down south etc. What is my best bet??

Any advice greatly appreciated
Thanks!

6ix

I spent just over 3 weeks there a couple of years ago around the same time of year. I went Bangkok- Chiang Mai - Phuket- Phi Phi - Railay - Bangkok.

Chiang Mai is great, I loved Bangkok but preferred Chiang Mai. Nice sized city and can be as chilled or hedonistic as you want it to be. Great spot to do a trek from too.

I would advise avoiding Phuket, it's really not that nice and you don't have a real sense of being in Thailand. I stayed in Kata when I was there and apparently it's not the worst spot (Patong being the main 'resort') but in comparison to Phi Phi or Chiang Mai, it really didnt compare. Some nice beaches, but that's about it.

I'd recommend Phi Phi, and if you're doing the trip to Maya Bay ("The Beach") my one piece of advice would be to get up early (7/8am) and charter a longboat and get there before all the big tourist boats full of people arrive at 10/11am. It's a bit more expensive to charter a longboat than to go on a standard tour, but you can bargain the lads down and should be about €20 to do a tour of the area surrounding Phi Phi islands including Maya Bay (which is on Phi Phi Ley island). If you get to Maya bay nice and early you'll have the peace and quiet to chill out, go for a swim and enjoy it for what it is. I did this my my girlfriend and we had the entire Phi Phi Ley island to ourselves for about half an hour!

I'm not someone who has to have solitude on holidays but it's one place that I'd rather have this than this

Railay is really nice although it was a bit quiet at that time of year. Beach is lovely and it was a novelty to be only able to access the area by boat but there was little to do. Great for chilling though.

There's tons of info on Boards if you do a search.

Lanta1

Chiang Mai is gorgeous - an amazing experience and a really beautiful city full of fabulous temples and also great to visit the hill tribes and go elephant trecking. However if you would rather stay in the south and visit the islands give Koh Lanta a try. It's my favourite place on the planet. Totally unspoiled and one of the least touristy islands of Thailand. From Koh Lanta it is only a quick boat ride to Phi Phi (the ferry takes about an hour and a half or so). Phi Phi is also beautiful, more touristy and crowded than Lanta but fun in its own way.

If you're going to Koh Lanta try to stay on Kantiang Bay. The beach is amazing and it's the best view on the island. I've sat on the beach and watched a pod of dolphins leaping about in the water for about an hour - fantastic.

Awesome-O

Koh Tao was most definately my favourite place in Thailand, Phuket is very similar to Ko Samui, maybe even more so in your face tacky, if you are going there just stay one night on your way to Phi Phi, a lovely island, no cars make it laid back, beautiful beaches on one side of the island and great nightlife on the other. We went to Railey, I wasn't too keen on it - very quiet and zero nightlife. If you are looking for activitiy however it's a great spot for rock climbing. Msybe hit a full moon party (23rd Sept), book accommodation in advance if you plan on staying on Koh Phangan, we stayed on Ko Samui and got the boat across which I would recommend if you are short on time because on Koh Phangan there is a minimum stay everywhere during full moons. Boats getting back can be overcrowded so I would advise trying to get an early one back!
If you're headed to Chang Mai there's lots more to do there than in Bangkok, we did a cookery course on of the days, went to Chang Mai womens prison and got a thai massage from a prison (probably the best massage we go, I would highly recommend this experience) and if you are planning on visiting tigers, skip tiger kingdom in Bangkok and go to the one in Chang Mai where you get to spend 15minutes in a cage with fully grown tigers (although we were more nervous around the cubs as they were friskier and more playful!).
Also another lovely and slightly more expensive day trip is to an elephant sancuary, here is their website

http://www.elephantnaturepark.org/index.htm

I found this to be one of my favourite memories, it was heartbreaking to hear and see the stories of how the elephants in this park had been mistreated before they were brought here and so rewarding to see how loving and playful the elephants were - and how similar to humans! During the day you get to meet all the elephants, at lunch and dinner time you can hand feed the elephants before you get your own lucng (lovely food) and later in the day you go into the river to help clean (and play with) the elephants during bath time. An extremely enjoyable day and while it is expensive and there is no negotiating a price the money all goes to the care of the elephants so well worth it.

Hope I was of some help, have a great time