mark1980
newbie
Posts: 2

#1 Posted: 25/3/2008 - 21:19


Hi,
Please can you offer us some advice. We are travelling Thailand backpacking and intend to take the following itinery but as its peak season we want to know what we should think about booking ahead and whether we can just turn up at some places and get cheap/basic accommodation, we plan to take the following route (this year);
Chang Mai - 5-10 Dec
(Fly back to Bangkok)
Bangkok - 11-15 Dec
(Fly to Krabi)
Tonsai - 16-20 Dec
Phuket - 21-22 Dec
Phi Phi - 23-27 Dec
Lanta - 28-29 Dec
Lipe - 30 Dec - 3 Jan
Langkawi - 4-7 Jan

Would really appreciate the advise as I am going crazy trying to plan this.

somtam2000
admin
mahout
Posts: 2412
Located in:
Indonesia

#2 Posted: 26/3/2008 - 14:06


Two places stand out -- Phi Phi and Lipe.

For the latter reliable reservations can be tricky to come by, but if you're planning on showing up there on 30 December without a reservation, I'd almost guarantee you'll be sleeping on the beach... it's not too bad - at least the sand is soft ;-)

For Phi Phi, you'll eventually find a room, but unless you're very lucky I'd expect a poor quality, overpriced shack. There are some moderately-priced places on Phi Phi that are reliable with reservations: Phi Phi Relax Bis one which we highly recommend.

For the other spots, a reservation isn't so essential, unless you're set on a particular guesthouse/hotel.

A more general pointer, the southern section of your trip is very rushed. You start off on the right foot - five days in Bangkok, five in Chiang Mai, but going to Phuket and Lanta for two days a piece is a waste of time in my opinion -- I'd suggest skipping Lanta and getting to Lipe earlier (thus increasing your chance of a bed) and I wouldn't bother with Phuket at all, instead spend the extra days on Tonsai.

Hope that helps - more questions, ask away.

mark1980
newbie
Posts: 2

#3 Posted: 26/3/2008 - 17:30


Great reply, thanks.

Had another rethink and may do the following;
Chang Mai - 5-10 Dec
Bangkok - 11-15 Dec
Lipe - 16-21 Dec
Lanta - 22-27 Dec
Tonsai - 28Dec-3Jan
Phuket - 4-7 Jan

(Then flying from Phuket to Kuala Lumpur)

Is Phi Phi that much better than Lanta, will we be missing out if we dont go? If its going to be expensive its going to ruin our budget as we have a lot more travelling to do so maybe we should give it a miss, what do you think? Thanks again

Indy
newbie
Posts: 4
Located in:
Thailand

#4 Posted: 4/4/2008 - 14:03


wow what a good plan for your trip, im getting jealous you now, really wanna go down to the south too. I never been to koh Lipe but i heard about thai people talk about resort they used to stay there and seem impress them is http://www.mountainresortkohlipe.com/

other island u figure out ok:)

place to stay in bkk, i used to stay at PS guesthouse i like there, big room and clean with air con, and TV and private toilet. this guesthouse no website only email and number is+66 2 2552309 PSguesthouse@hotmail.com other place is http://www.ktguesthouse.com/ and other one http://www.suk11.com :) hope u like it.

tezza
flashpacker
Posts: 33

#5 Posted: 4/4/2008 - 18:04


I wouldn't say Phi Phi is better, but it is worth checking. I'd cut a day off 3 of the other southern places to fit in Phi Phi. I take it you plan to do Lipe-Lanta via Tigerline ferry or the speedboat service?