Guidance for traveling Thailand Islands over a months period

socialize

Hi All,

I am due to travel to Thailand soon.

My intention is to arrive into Bangkok, see it for a few days and then move off to Northern Islands. Ko Tao, Ko Pha-ngan and Ko Samui.
Get my Diving Cert (PADI) then move down to the Southern Islands. Phuket and Ko Lanta etc...

Would you recommend this trail over 1 month period?

If so, what would you recommend doing over this trail...

Cheers All

gaillimhabu

I'd recommend Chiang Mai up North for a 3 days jungle trek. The city itself isn't that great but I loved the jungle trek. Walking with guides and staying in little villages along the way. Such nice people. A elephant trek was involved too.

As for the islands I stayed in Ko Samui for a week and loved it. Also went to Ko Pha-ngan for the night and got attacked by locals at at full moon party. So that island wasn't such a great experience but I'm sure it had it's nice bits

Bangkok is unreal busy and smelly but ok for 2 or 3 days

discombobulate

gaillimhabu wrote: »

I'd recommend Chiang Mai up North for a 3 days jungle trek. The city itself isn't that great but I loved the jungle trek. Walking with guides and staying in little villages along the way. Such nice people. A elephant trek was involved too.

As for the islands I stayed in Ko Samui for a week and loved it. Also went to Ko Pha-ngan for the night and got attacked by locals at at full moon party. So that island wasn't such a great experience but I'm sure it had it's nice bits

Bangkok is unreal busy and smelly but ok for 2 or 3 days

+1 on the Jungle trek. Highlight of my 2 months.

Frisbee

Make sure you plan your dates properly in order to get a FMP in Phangan in. Yes they're overhyped but it's the main reason peple go there.

When I went I was there for 7 weeks and did the following:

Bangkok
Samui
Phangan
Tao
Phi Phi
Chiang Mai
Vang Vieng (Laos)
Phangan (we had a week or so left before our flight home so we decided to catch another Full Moon Party)
Bangkok
Home

Chiang Mai is great and all but if you are only in Thailand for a month it is very far out of the way and I'd suggest just doing the islands. If you wanted to go to Chiang Mai though I'd suggest heading there straight from Bangkok so as not to waste a day travelling up. Then you can either make your way down to the islands via train and bus and a boat from Surat Thani or fly straight to Ko Samui from Chiang Mai via Bangkok.

wallpaper12

You can fly for very cheap from Phuket to Chiang mai with Air asia

socialize

I'm thinking of just doing the islands...
Maybe 3-4 days when I fly into Bangkok.
Then
Ko pha ngan
Ko Samui
Phuket
Ko Yao
Ko Lanta
Krabi
Back to Ko pha ngan for full moon. (full moon in 3rd week of travels)
Back to Bangkok

Do you recommend changing anything?
Which islands are nicest and relaxing to stay on etc...
Where do you recommended booking hotels/beach huts etc...

Thanks for all the guidance!
Much appreciated

dRNk SAnTA

Just got back from there.

Bangkok - 2/3 days max.

Phuket and surrounds should be avoided imo.

I was in Koh Pha Ngan, not for FMP, loved it - stayed on an isolated beach (boat access) called Haad Yuan on the east coast. Would recommend it, very relaxing. If you go there, stay at 'Big Blue' and not the Lonely Planet recommended 'Barcelona'.