Thailand forum

Hi Samantha,

Welcome to Travelfish -- glad you like the site

Hotel on New Petchaburi -- not the Amari Atrium by chance?

In Bangkok there's so much to see it's difficult to know where to start, but whenever I have a frend going there for the first time, I suggest they see the following:
Jim Thompson's House
The Grand Palace & Wat Phra Kaew
Do a trip along the river
Visit Pak Khlong Talaat (the fresh flower market -- best visited after 11pm)

If you're a bit more adventurous, of want to try something a bit different, see the recent story we did on cycling trips in Bangkok

For water sports etc, look into Ko Tao -- perhaps fit some diving in when you're there. If it is kayaking then the west coast is better -- around Ko Phi Phi, but it will be a little rainy.

Foe massage - a standard massage in a no frills massage joint should cost around 400B for an hour.

One of our personal favourites is Best Massage -- it is underneath Times Square on Sukhumvit Road (closest skytrain stop Asok) -- they do amazing foot massages there...

No problem for vegeies!

One other thing! - sorry!! - If we decided to go to Ko Tao, if we went from Bangkok, what would be the best way to get there? - if flying, how much approx would the flight cost, and do you need to book in advance or can you jsut turn up at the airport?

Bangkok Airways currently have a special, on all flights if you book in advance you should be able to get the same price (plus 300B). I think there are about 20 seats per flight for this price.
Sorry not sure how long this lasts, but it may be on their website

Oh, one more thing!! - I forgot to mention, that, If we do decide to fly to Surat Thani, to get to Koh Tao, It looks like we'd be able to get a boat from Surat Thani to Koh Samui, and then get another one from there to Koh Tao, do you think this will be ok? From what I've read, there seems to be a higher frequency of boats from Surat Thani to Koh Samui, unlike Surat Thani to Koh Tao, where there only seems to be a few choices. Is this right?

Again, sorry for so many questions and thank you in advance.

Samantha.

Samantha,

On getting from Ko Chang to Ko Tao, there is one flight option that lets you avoid having to go all the way back to Bangkok. Bangkok airways has a daily flight from Pattaya-U Tapao Airport (which is really closer to Rayong than Pattaya) to Ko Samui for about 2,500 baht one-way fare.
(Bangkok Airways also has plans for a Trat to Ko Samui flight too, but it isn't clear when that route will begin service) You'd wind up paying more than the round-trip fare you got on AirAsia for BKK to Surat, but you'd avoid having to go all the way back to Bangkok, and you'd also be flying directly to Ko Samui instead of into Surat Thani, which puts you that much closer to your final destination of Ko Tao. It is your call of course, but worth considering, if you have the extra money to trade for the convenience. Regards.

Samantha,

Ko Chang can be a bit touristy in some areas, but it is a big island, and you should be able to find that mix of the secluded and the resort fun that most of us are looking for.

You should be able to book a snorkeling or other tour that will take you around to some of the smaller islands, or just hop a ferry to an outer island and stay a night or two as well. Ask around after you arrive to see what options appeal to you.

If the rainy season comes early, and you feel like you are getting rained out on Ko Chang, you can always make a strategic retreat to Ko Samet, a few hours closer to Bangkok. For whatever reason, they tend to get less rain on Samet.

My favorite place on Ko Chang was all the way to the right (north) on White Sand Beach. Wherever you wind up, I hope you have a great time.

Samantha,

Take a look at the Thailand Weather FAQ section (in the FAQ links section just to the right ----->). The average rainfall charts show that the rainy season usually begins in June on Ko Chang. Even so, you'll just get a bit wet and should still have lots of fun.

Hi Samantha,

Well it's funny you ask about Ko Chang as I've been busying myself over the last couple of days on Lamai Beach Ko Samui editing some 77 pages of notes on that very island turned in last week by one of our researchers.

Assuming all goes to plan it will be on the site in the next couple of days, but something that caught my eye was "Robinson Crusoe" experiences that the new TreeHouse (on Long Beach) are offering. They're 1,000B and for your money, they take you off to a totaly deserted island and leave you there for the night to fend for yourself, and give you only water, a bit of food, some fishing gear and a tent... perhaps not something for a gentle soul fresh out of hospital, but it certainly caught my eye!