Thailand forum

Hi, I would just like to comment on Ao Nang . I think Ao Nang is great if you use it as a base and go out to surrounding islands. There is some good things to do around here including the fossil site - Susan Hoi.

I heard Ko Tao was only good for diving???

Samui isnt a bad island if you stay away from Cheweng.

Just my thoughts,
Jon_mak_mak

Personally I don't like Ao Nang and so that probably comes through in the write-up of it on Travelfish -- that said a lot of people disagree with me!

With just nine days I'd say you're on the right track limiting yourself to one coast (east or west). The west coast has a "richer" variety of islands and it's not a big deal to move from one to another.

Of the islands you list, Ko Yao Yai is the most "out of the way" -- there's a recent post by tezza in the trip reports section you may want to give a read to.

Other islands (just to confuse matters) look into the places off Trang -- we've recently updated the coverage for there (not the pics yet though) and there's a fair range out from there.

hi you might want to google tigerline ferries, they have a good website with all ferries that service the west coast with all the times for pick ups for various islands all the way down to langkawi.From memory you can get a minibus/ferry combo from Krabi and do a nice loop including Lanta and some islands off trang. well worth a look

The problem with Ao Nang is the amount of 'Family tourists there' - I mean, you got mum, dad, gran, granddad, aunty, and 3 kids for every family (or so it seems) and the place gets busy!

I don’t personally like this type of place, in fact, it’s the opposite of what I usually like but, the sheer beauty of the surrounding areas is worth putting up with the crowds for a short time. Also with an airport, its convinient too.

I think you would need more than 1 night in Krabi (Ao Nang) and maybe drop 1 of the islands?

"worth putting up with the crowds for a short time"

the crowds are pretty small and cover about 500m.

ao nang is a laid back place even though it is popular with euro familes. it's a lot quieter and smaller than patong or pattaya!

i really dont know why ao nang gets bashed as it's fine as a base. like most places in thailand the attractions you got to get out and see them not wonder around the tourist shops whinging about all the tourists

Chicken island = poda island.

It looks like a chicken head.

Hong Island is better than Bamboo island.

You can also do a daytrip to Phi Phi.

You can book a Khao Sok tour easily from krabi/ao nang or drive or bus it if you want.

There's nothing much to see or do on Lanta. Only go there if you want to relax.

Havent been to Jum but everyone says it's for kicking back as it's largely undeveloped.

You could easily spend a week or more doing trips from krabi.

i wouldnt worry about booking ahead either as there are many places to stay.

no snorkelling at lanta, you have to go to the trang islands on a boat

cooking courses are everywhere in thailand

national park isnt much

elephant trek isnt much

there's very little there at all

Many snorkelling trips go to bamboo island but the coral is poor. Hong, Poda and Phi Phi are better.

I think that you should do Ko Lanta... it is gorgeous and great for everything you have mentioned... you can do day trips to Ko Ngai, Ko Phi Phi and Krabi area... you can have a look at my travelblogs for ideas with Ko Lanta.. and do not miss a day with Lanta Long Tail day tours... they are fantastic and much better than doing the bigger more commercial tours...

Their website is www.lantalongtail.com
My blog is www.travelblog.org/bloggers/reet

and also Relax Bay Resort would be perfect for what you want.. it is a LITTLE rocky under the water for the first 20 meters or so but it rocks.. either go for a fan bungalow or the VIP rooms if you can afford it... dont do the aircon room as its a concrete box...

Feel free to contact me if you want further details but having done Phuket, Ko Phangan, Phi Phi, Lanta... I think Lanta is exactly what you are looking for!

Reet x

I personally think that there is more than just beaches and scenery that makes a place stand out as gorgeous.. the people, the food, the atmosphere, the activites, the list goes on..... we loved Lanta.. we felt like we were truly in Thailand and not just any old tourist beach destination... plus you have the advantage of taking day trips to phi phi, krabi, ko ngai etc...

"I personally think that there is more than just beaches and scenery that makes a place stand out as gorgeous.. the people, the food, the atmosphere, the activites, the list goes on..... we loved Lanta.. we felt like we were truly in Thailand and not just any old tourist beach destination... plus you have the advantage of taking day trips to phi phi, krabi, ko ngai etc"

Truly in Thailand LOL

The island has about 100 resorts.

Thai people generally do not like beaches and avoid the sun as they don't like to go too dark.

If you want to experience real thai living you won't find it on a touristy island like Lanta.

amz, better stay in the south as the northern beaches are horribly overdeveloped. Kantiang Bay is your best bet.

Travelrock,

I find your attitude really offensive. Why do you have to be so negative to my experience....

I personally found that it felt like I was in a
'different country' to my own when I got to Lanta having been to places like Phuket prior to arriving... I am aware that Thai people avoid the beach, how they feel about their skin colour and wasn't suggesting 'hanging out with the people of Lanta'... the food may not be any better than anywhere else.. in fact the food is pretty amazing EVERYWHERE in Thailand if you find the right places.....

We are all entitled to our own opinions, but please stop trying to analyse what I am saying and make it into some sort of joke... your condescending attitude to my post (and various others) really ruins peoples experience on the forum.

If you read the original post they had a certain criteria with what they were looking for, and in my opinion I felt that Lanta would be ideal for them...

The people are great, in so much that when you deal with everyone they are fantastic (yep I know they are all over thailand) .... the food was great (yep I know it is everywhere else too) ... the atmosphere... I loved it... it was alot less developed than other islands... I found it a happy medium between being too crowded and too deserted... the activites... were plenty.. hire a motorbike (the roads are great), do a cooking class at Time for Lime, do different day trips with Lanta Long Tail, wander around the tiny villages, go for a trek.... what more could you want....

Lanta certainly fits the bill for what the OP wants... I just dont understand why you have to be so negative towards others like myself, when all we are doing is trying to help fellow travellers.

Reet x

"I find your attitude really offensive"

Well that's life. Hope you get over it.

I find when people exaggerate how good a place is like yourself travellers get disappointed because they expect paradise.

There are pros and cons for every island.

Your postings are misleading and untruthful.

I'm giving an accurate description of the island, you are not.

Having stayed on a number of Thai islands,one of the things that I enjoyed when staying on Lanta was the muslim influence in the cooking.Fantastic curries were we stayed on Long Beach.Was very different to the food on say Chang or Mak or Wai on the east coast.imho of course

I fully agree, somtam2000. I was recently in Thailand myself and met a good number of people who related enjoyable experiences in places I could not stand. But there is no way I would want to belittle their experiences, not everyone wants to blaze a trail off the beaten track. I generally try to go to new places but I found myself occasionally preferring to laze in some tourist area like Pattaya or Chiang Mai.

Thanks guys.. exactly my point. xx